Why You Should Go Through Cataract Surgery

If you feel like your vision becomes cloudy, in one eye or both, it's possible that you've got yourself cataracts. Cataracts usually grow gradually over time, so at first, and for a substantial amount of time, it's even impossible to notice them. But as they grow, they may have a serious impact on your vision, and even cause macular degeneration in more progressed and severe cases.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a progressive, painless clouding of the natural, internal lens of the eye. Cataracts block light, making it difficult to see clearly. The retina is the part of the eye which is in charge of light absorption and translation of the same light into electrical signals transmitted to the brain. Since light is partially or fully blocked by the cloudiness, the retina's functionality could get diminished over time, which may lead to partial or full blindness of the problematic eye.

While cataracts are rarely dangerous, over time they are likely to affect vision. More than half of all Americans aged 80 or older have cataracts or have had surgery to get rid of cataracts. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 18 million people are bilaterally blind from cataracts in the world, serving almost half of total global blindness cases.

Who Should Have a Cataract Surgery?

In short, if an individual has a cataract and resultant blurred vision that makes it difficult for them to function normally in daily life, it is time to consider cataract surgery. If there are cataracts in both eyes that require surgery, the surgeries are usually performed several weeks apart. In either case, it is important to schedule an appointment with your eye doctor to discuss this possibility and get an official pipeline of the process, the recovery and what to expect in terms of short and long term results.

What to Expect From a Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted. A typical cataract surgery often takes less than 30 minutes. You'll receive local anesthetics to numb the area, and you may be given a sedative to help you relax. If you're given a sedative, you may remain awake, but groggy, during surgery. You should feel little to no pain, but might feel pressure on the eye.

How to Cope With Blurred Vision Following Cataract Surgery

It is possible that you may notice a halo after cataract surgery. Blurry vision in one eye after cataract surgery is a common condition that may often be referred to as "second cataract" or "after cataract". This occurs when the lens capsule, the membrane that wasn't removed during surgery and supports the lens implant, becomes cloudy and impairs your vision. This is usually a temporary condition that should fade away until vision is fully stabilized, often up to three months from surgery.

Today, there are non-invasive training programs that focus on shortening the eyesight adjustment period after surgery. In each case, it is recommended to follow up with your eye doctor to determine your next treatment steps.