What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of your eye. Clouded vision can make it more difficult to read, drive a car or see the expression on a friend’s face. Clouding of the lens is a normal part of getting older.
What are the symptoms of Cataracts?
- Bright Colors Become Dull
- Halos Around Lights
- Difficulty Reading In Low Light
- Blurred or Double Vision
- Frequent Changing of Glasses Prescription
What are the goals of cataract surgery?
- Provide a Full Range of Vision
- Minimize Dependence on Glasses
- Improve Lifestyle Activities
Does cataract surgery hurt?
Thanks to numbing drops and medications to help you relax, this procedure involves minimal discomfort. Usually, your surgeon will use a local/topical anesthetic to numb your eye and you will remain awake during the surgery.
I have cataracts in both eyes. Will the doctor treat both at the same time?
Typically, doctors will perform surgery in the second eye two or three weeks after the first eye. All patients are different, so talk to your doctor about what is right for you.
How long will I be in the hospital or surgery center?
Patients commonly spend only a few hours at the hospital or surgery center, and are allowed to go home the very same day.
How long after surgery can I see and return to normal activities?
Every patient and every eye is different, but patients commonly see well enough to drive the day after surgery. Most patients can resume normal basic activities like reading and watching TV by the next day, and return to work within a one to seven days. You should ask your doctor what is best for you.
Do I have to use eye drops before and after surgery?
Yes. Usually three (3) days before your surgery you will begin using eye drops to prepare for surgery. You will continue to use drops until told to discontinue by your doctor. Typically, this is a couple of weeks. Always ask your doctor before stopping the use of any prescribed medicine or eye drop.
Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?
It depends on what type of intraocular lens you elect to have implanted. Most patients do not need glasses or contacts for distance tasks following cataract surgery with a traditional monofocal IOL, but still rely on reading glasses for near tasks. In the clinical trials for the ReSTOR and REZOOM, a significant number of patients reported never wearing glasses for distance, intermediate or near tasks after their surgery.
Can my cataract come back?
No. However, over time, patients may complain that their vision has once again become cloudy. This sometimes a common condition, which may occur with any type of IOL, is known as a secondary cataract or “PCO.” Secondary cataracts can be easily treated in the office.