What are cataract surgeries?

The main purpose of your lens is to bend (refract) light rays entering your eye to help you see. Your own lens should be clear, but with cataracts, vision is blurred. If you have cataracts, it feels like you are looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield. Things may look blurry, hazy, or less colorful.

The only way to remove a cataract is the surgical procedure, i.e. cataract surgery. An ophthalmologist will recommend cataract removal when performing daily activities is no longer possible. A fact like “cataract maturing” is not recommended because cataract surgery in the early stage is much easier for the patient and postoperative recovery is noticeably faster.

During cataract surgery, your cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. That lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL). The ophthalmologist will discuss with the patient about IOLs, types and how they work.

Before cataract surgery:

Your surgeon will take measurements of the eye parameters to determine the focus for the IOL lens. You will also be asked about any medications you are taking. 

You may be prescribed eye drops for pre-surgery. These medications help prevent infection and reduce swelling during and after surgery.

Day of operation:

Your ophthalmologist may ask you not to eat solid food for at least 6 hours before your surgery. Cataract removal surgery is performed in the operating room at our clinic

What’s happening:

• An anesthetic is instilled into the eye. You may also receive medication to help you relax.
• You will be awake during the operation. You can see light and movement during the procedures, but you won’t see what the doctor is doing to your eye. 
• The surgeon performs the operation while looking through a microscope. During the operation, the surgeon makes tiny incisions near the edge of the cornea and uses these incisions to access the lens in your eye. Using very small instruments, the lens is broken and removed. Your new lens is then put into place.
• Cuts are not sewn with the aim of closure, they will close by themselves over time. 
• After the procedure, you will rest in the recovery room at our clinic. 
• After rest, the patient is referred for home treatment.

After surgery:

• You will use eye drops after surgery. Make sure you follow the directions for using these drops.
• Avoid the possibility of eye contact with soap or water directly into the eye.
• Do not rub or press the eye. Your ophthalmologist may ask you to wear glasses or a shield to protect your eyes.
• You may need to wear a protective eye shield when you sleep.
• Your ophthalmologist will discuss with you how active you can be soon after cataract surgery. Our doctor will tell you when you can safely exercise, drive or do other activities again.

What are the risks of cotaract surgery?

Like any surgery, cataract surgery carries risks of problems or complications:

• Eye infection.
• Bleeding in the eye.
• Fluid swelling of the front eye or inside the eye.
• Swelling of the retina 
• Retinal detachment
• Damage to other parts of the eye.
• Blurred vision
• The patient sees halos, glare and dark shadows
• IOL implant displacement.

Cataract surgery will not restore vision lost from other eye conditions such as macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy. Your ophthalmologist will discuss the risks and benefits of cataract surgery with you