Cataract Surgery Details

A cataract is diagnosed when there is clouding of the natural lens of the eye. It is a normal effect of the aging process we go through as human beings, with over half of the US population developing cataracts by the age of 65.

The only way to permanently correct vision if you have cataracts is through cataract surgery. The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures in the entire world, with over 95% of all patients seeing at least 20/40 (good enough for driving) after surgery.
Cataract Surgery and its refractive companion, Refractive Lens Exchange, describe procedures that remove the natural lens of the eye and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Do I have Cataracts?

Once your cataract has progressed to a point where it begins to impair your vision in a way that affects your normal lifestyle (especially driving), then it is usually time to consider cataract surgery.
Some of the common symptoms of cataracts include:

Foggy or cloudy vision
Blurry vision
Problems with glare
Dull color perception
Increased nearsightedness
Frequent prescription changes

If you are suffering from any of the symptoms above, then a through cataract evaluation with an MD ophthalmologist is recommended.

Treatment Options:

If you are diagnosed with a cataract, your insurance will most likely cover the cost of the standard procedure. This is performed with a monofocal IOL that is simply a clear lens that replaces the cloudy cataract. There are no additional visual benefits that these lenses provide the patient other than vision that is no longer cloudy. He or she will still have to wear glasses for all activities.

However, there now exist several different premium surgery options that can enhance your vision to the point where you may no longer need glasses.

Click here to learn about all the advanced treatment and lens options for cataract surgery provided at Eye Associates of Brazos Valley.

The Cataract Surgery Procedure

Advancements in cataract surgery have made it one of the safest and easiest procedures to undergo, with patients almost immediately seeing the benefits of improved vision after surgery. The procedure is always performed on an outpatient basis, with the patient receiving a local anesthetic that makes the process virtually painless.

Your surgeon will use a device to remove the cloudy lens of your eye through a tiny incision. He or she will then insert the appropriate IOL in place of the natural lens through the same incision.

Depending on your surgeon, the entire process should take 15 minutes or less to complete, and visual improvement should be apparent the day after surgery.

Recovery is fast. Many patients can see 20/40 or better the day after surgery, and begin resuming normal activities, even driving the very next day. The vast majority of our patients report no discomfort after surgery.

After the Procedure

Once the procedure is completed, you will be required to wear a protective eye shield for the rest of the day and will continue to wear it for a short time while sleeping, to avoid any involuntary contact with your eyes. You will use some topical eye drops in order to aid and improve healing.

Most patients see their vision restored to a level that will let them resume normal activities, including driving, the very first week, with full recovery following shortly thereafter.

While cataract surgery is a fairly simple process to undergo, it is still essential that you follow your surgeon’s specific post-operative directions in order to ensure proper recovery.

Complimentary Consultation

If you or someone you know suspects cataracts, then you need to consult a vision specialist. Make an appointment with Eye Associates of Brazos Valley by calling 979-251-9990 or contact us online