If you're contemplating having eye surgery for cataracts you probably have some questions. Obviously your eye surgeon is going to be the definitive resource for your answers but some of the more common questions and answers can give you a starting point for a dialogue with your eye surgeon and give you some basic information to start out with, sometimes sparking more questions that you hadn't thought about!
What is a cataract? A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. The lens is made up of protein and water. As we age the protein can clump together causing opacity of the lens making vision difficult.
How do I know if I have a cataract? Some of the common signs and symptoms of a cataract are a blurring or haziness of vision, especially around the edges. Another is seeing a halo around lights and having difficulties with the brightness of oncoming headlights when driving at night. On the other hand, colors may seem dimmer.
What type of cataract do I have? There are 3 main types of cataracts. Nuclear Sclerotic is the most common age-related cataract caused by hardening of the lens. Cortical develop in the lens' cortex. Posterior subcapsular cataracts form behind the lens and often develop quite rapidly.
Do I need eye surgery? If you are having difficulty with vision that impairs your activities of daily living cataract surgery is most likely your best option. It is a safe and successful form of treatment.
Can I wear contacts after cataract surgery? You can, but you may not need to. You will have an intraocular lens implanted during surgery to replace your own lens. In many cases that lens can also be corrective eliminating the need for additional corrective lenses.
What health conditions affect cataracts? Diabetes and high blood pressure affect cataracts and your healing potential.
Will I need to be hospitalized for surgery? No. Surgery is routinely done as an outpatient.
What are the complications of cataract surgery? Posterior capsule opacity and increased risk of retinal detachment are 2 possible complications to ask your eye surgeon about.
What can I expect after surgery? You will need to wear dark glasses as your eyes will be very sensitive to light. You will need someone to drive you home and to your followup appointment in 24 to 48 hours. At that time your doctor will check on your progress and determine if you can drive and resume other regular activities. It may take up to 3 months for your vision to stabilize.
How can I prevent a cataract in my other eye? There is no magic answer to this as there is no definitive answer as to what causes cataracts. Some of the suggestions are to avoid eye trauma, protect your eyes from ultraviolet rays, and keep your blood sugar under control. There is conflicting information as to whether or not vitamin C or other antioxidants contribute to prevention or not.
If you are questioning if you should have eye surgery for cataracts or if you are a good candidate for the surgery these are starting points for discussion with your doctor.
I recently underwent corrective eye surgery myself. There are a lot of options out there for correcting vision defects these days. I did a lot of research before making up my mind and would love to share that research with you on my website http://eyesurgerys.com/eyesurgery so you can make the best, informed decision for your own corrective vision needs.
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