Cataracts
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What is Cataracts?
Cataracts refer to the clouding of the typically clear lens of the eye, causing vision impairment akin to looking through a frosted or fogged-up window. While initially, cataracts may not significantly affect eyesight, they gradually worsen over time, making activities like reading, driving at night, or discerning facial expressions challenging.
Initially, remedies like brighter lighting and glasses may suffice, but if vision impairment interferes with daily tasks, cataract surgery becomes necessary.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is generally regarded as a safe and effective procedure.
Symptoms
Treatments
Precautions
Symptoms
- Clouded, blurred, or dim vision.
- Difficulty seeing at night.
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare.
- Need for brighter light for reading and other activities.
- Seeing “halos” around lights.
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
- Fading or yellowing of colors.
- Double vision in one eye.
Treatments
- Clouded, blurred, or dim vision.
- Difficulty seeing at night.
- Increased sensitivity to light and glare.
- Need for brighter light for reading and other activities.
- Seeing “halos” around lights.
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription.
- Fading or yellowing of colors.
- Double vision in one eye.
Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts when prescription glasses can’t clear your vision.
When to consider cataract surgery: Talk with your eye doctor about whether surgery is right for you. Most ophthalmologists suggest considering cataract surgery when your cataracts begin to affect your quality of life. This may include your ability to perform daily activities. For most people, there is no rush to remove cataracts because they usually don’t harm the eyes. But cataracts can worsen faster in people with certain conditions. These include diabetes, high blood pressure or obesity. Waiting to do cataract surgery typically won’t affect how well your vision recovers. Consider the benefits and risks of cataract surgery with your doctor. If you choose not to have cataract surgery now, your eye doctor may recommend periodic follow-up exams to monitor the progression of your cataracts. The frequency of your appointments with your eye doctor depends on your circumstances.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery entails replacing the clouded lens with a clear artificial lens. The artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, is put in the same place as your natural lens. It remains a permanent part of your eye. For some people, artificial lenses can’t be used. In these situations, once the cataract is removed, vision may be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. Cataract surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis. This means you won’t need to stay in a hospital after the surgery. During surgery, your eye doctor uses a medicine to numb the area around your eye. You usually stay awake during the procedure. Cataract surgery is generally safe. However, it carries a risk of infection and bleeding. Cataract surgery also increases the risk of the retina being pulled out of place. This is called retinal detachment. After the procedure, you may be sore for a few days. Healing usually happens within a few weeks.
If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, your doctor will schedule surgery to remove the cataract in the second eye after you’ve healed from the first surgery.
Precautions
- Regular eye exams
- Quit smoking
- Manage health conditions
- Eat a healthy diet
- Wear UV-blocking sunglasses
- Limit alcohol intake
- Be aware of genetic factors
- Minimize steroid use
Types of Cataracts
Before the Surgery
During the Surgery
After the Surgery
Before the Surgery
- About a week before your surgery, your doctor will measure the size and shape of your eye with a painless ultrasound test. The purpose is to determine the right type of lens implant to utilise during the surgery, as the lens will be chosen based on the curvature of the cornea and length of the eye. In most cases, you can expect an intraocular lens to replace your natural lens and serve as a permanent vision solution.
- If you have other health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, your doctor may require you to get them to healthy levels before the procedure. Hence, make sure you have your general health is in an acceptable state.
- To help reduce the risk of complications, you may be prescribed antibiotic and/or anti-inflammatory eye drops to take in the days leading up to your surgery.
- As you won’t be able to drive immediately after the surgery, plan to arrange a ride home from your operation. You should also take one to three days off from work to rest and begin the healing process. Patients usually return to normal activities within a couple of days.
- Follow the preoperative instructions provided to you by your cataract surgeon. This will likely include fasting for the 12 hours before the procedure ( do not eat or drink during that time).
- If there is anything you don’t understand about the process and procedures around having cataract surgery, simply ask your doctor for clarification. It is important to be on the same page to ensure a successful surgery and recovery.
- Because cataract surgery involves cutting off the lens, minimal bleeding can occur. While it is not usually significant, your ophthalmologist may still recommend that you stop taking aspirin or anti-clotting drugs before your procedure to be safe. You should always check with your doctor who prescribed your medications before halting their use.
- You should avoid wearing contact lenses for at least three days before surgery and wear glasses instead. Contact lenses put you at a higher risk of irritating your eye, which could impact or delay the cataract surgery.
- On the day of your surgery, you should avoid wearing makeup, facial lotions or creams, or aftershave. Simply wash your face with soap and water before your cataract surgery.
- In addition to your 12-hour fast leading up to surgery, you should abstain from drinking any alcoholic beverages such as wine, liquor, or beer for at least 24 hours before your cataract surgery.
During the Surgery
After the Surgery
After cataract surgery, it is essential to follow all instructions from a healthcare professional.
Individuals need to:
- rest for 2–3 days after surgery
- take painkillers, if necessary
- use an eye shield at night for at least 7 days
- use any eye drops as a doctor instructs
- continue taking medications as usual
- bathe and shower as usual, but use a handheld showerhead to prevent soap from getting into your eyes.
- use an eye shield or sunglasses when outside
After cataract surgery, avoid:
- rubbing or touching the eye
- getting soap or shampoo in the eye
- swimming for 4–6 weeks
- strenuous activity or exercise
- wearing makeup for 4 weeks
- air travel without checking with a healthcare professional
- driving without checking with a healthcare professional
Ophthalmologists also suggest avoiding applying warm compresses, lid scrubs, or other treatments for eye conditions for at least a week after the surgery.
After cataract surgery, a doctor may place a protective shield over the eye to protect it during the healing process. You may need to wear this eye shield during sleep for a week after the procedure.
If you sleep on your side, consider sleeping on the side of the unaffected eye to alleviate pressure on the healing eye.
Cataracts FAQs
Why do I need to wait to have cataract surgery?
Cataracts do not always interfere significantly with vision. They start small and are almost imperceptible to the patient. If a cataract progresses to the point that vision is impaired or lifestyle is affected, it should be removed. If it remains stable, surgery may not be necessary.
Be sure to have regular comprehensive vision check-ups with your eye doctor to monitor cataract progression so that, together, the decision to have cataract surgery can be made.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
It is not possible for a cataract to “grow back” because the lens where the cataract forms has been removed and replaced. The intraocular lens (IOL) implant never needs maintenance or replacement. In some patients, a cloudy film can form behind the implant on the lens capsule membrane, usually a few months after the original cataract surgery. This condition is called posterior capsular opacification, or secondary cataract (because it seems as if the cataract has returned).
Will I feel pain during cataract surgery?
During cataract surgery, your surgeon will use a local anesthetic (numbing eye drops) to keep you from experiencing pain during your procedure. You will also be given a mild sedative to help you relax. Depending on the patient and type of procedure, additional medication may be utilized.
As the medications wear off, you may feel a scratchy sensation or slight soreness in your eye the first day. Over-the-counter pain relievers can be used to alleviate discomfort. If necessary, your doctor will prescribe stronger pain medication.
Who usually gets cataracts?
Cataracts usually affect patients over age 55, however, anyone can develop one. By the age of 65, 50% of people have developed a cataract and almost everyone over age 75 has at least one cataract. They occur due to the natural aging process.
What if my cataract surgery doesn’t work?
In the rare instance that a problem arises with your intraocular lens, adjustments can be made to correct visual acuity. The IOL can be repositioned or replaced with a different type of lens. It is highly unusual that a cataract procedure needs to be revised.
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