Cataracts

A cataract is a painless clouding of the eye's natural lens that is caused by a buildup of protein. A cataract can form in one or both eyes. If left untreated, cataracts worsen over time and interfere with everyday activities such as reading or driving. Problems with night vision and glare are often an early symptom of cataracts. When cataracts are in their early stages, people are helped by brighter lighting. As cataracts get worse, however, most people require surgery.

Reasons for Cataract Surgery

Patients who become aware of visual difficulties related to cataracts usually experience, especially at night, clouded, blurred or dim vision. In their early stages, cataracts usually are not troublesome but, as they worsen, surgery to remove them may be required. Typically, surgery is needed because cataracts are interfering with everyday activities, or the treatment of another eye problem. Cataract surgery is among the safest and most commonly performed procedures in modern medicine.

Intraocular Lens Options

If you have a cataract that needs to be removed, a key component of the surgical planning process involves selecting the intraocular lens (IOL) implant that best aligns with your individual vision needs and lifestyle. There are several types of implants available for placement during cataract surgery. While insurance plans cover a standard monofocal IOL, which remain an excellent choice for many patients, advancements in lens technology have introduced premium options that offer enhanced customization and visual clarity. For more infomation on lens options, click here.

Advanced technology IOLs - also known as premium lenses - are designed to address a broader range of visual needs. These include toric lenses for astigmatism correction, multifocal lenses for improved range of vision, and adjustable lenses that can be fine-tuned to optimize your vision postoperatively.

Among these, the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) stands out as the only intraocular lens that allows both you to customize your vision after cataract surgery. This unique adjustability enables a personalized visual outcome tailored specifically to your eyes. In an FDA clinical study involving 600 participants, patients who received the Light Adjustable Lens were twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision without glasses compared to those who received a standard monofocal IOL.

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery's benefits are many, greatly enhancing the quality of life. They include the following:

Improved quality of vision (sharper images, brighter colors)
Less difficulty with routine tasks (particularly night driving)
Decreased dependency on eyeglasses
Greater independence, regardless of age or disability
Greater safety

Research indicates that the improved vision provided by cataract surgery reduces the risk of falls, making exercise, sports and hobbies safer. This, combined with the improved ability to read, recognize faces, and perform everyday activities with greater ease, results in improved physical health, increased sociability and longer life expectancy.

The Cataract Surgery Procedure

After the pupil is dilated, and the area in and around the eye is numbed with anesthesia, a tiny incision is made to insert an ultrasonic probe. The probe emulsifies (breaks up) the cloudy lens into tiny pieces that are then suctioned out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, an artificial lens is implanted.

The new lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), is often inserted through the original incision. Some varieties of IOLs serve multiple purposes, such as blocking ultraviolet light or working as bifocals. Depending on the type of IOL used, sutures may or may not be needed.

Surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis in a doctor's office, takes only 20 to 30 minutes, and is relatively painless. A very high percentage of patients demonstrates improved vision after the procedure.

Risks of Cataract Surgery

Although cataract surgery is a common procedure and considered quite safe, any surgery poses risks. In the case of cataract surgery, there is a slightly increased risk of retinal detachment, a painless but dangerous condition. Other risks of cataract surgery include bleeding and infection. The risk of complications after cataract surgery is greater if the patient has another eye disease or serious medical condition. Danger signs of complications after cataract surgery include increased pain in or redness of the eye, light flashes or floaters, diminished vision, nausea, vomiting or intense coughing.

Recovery from Cataract Surgery

Immediately after surgery, an eye patch is worn; some doctors advise wearing a protective shield, even when sleeping, for several days. Vision may be blurry at first, but improves within a few days. Some itching and discomfort are also present for a few days, but it is important that a patient not rub or exert pressure on the treated eye. Heavy lifting should be avoided. Eye drops to prevent inflammation and infection, and control eye pressure are prescribed.

Even though full healing can take up to 2 months, because cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, daily activities can be resumed in a few days. Most patients need to wear eyeglasses, for at least some tasks, after surgery. If the other eye also has a cataract, which is usually the case, the second surgery is scheduled a month or two after the first.