What Patients Must Know About Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are opaque formations in the lens of the eye. As the eye becomes less transparent, vision may be impaired. The leading cause of vision loss in adults age 55 and older, most adults will develop a cataract by the age 75. They usually start small, gradually growing in size and cloudiness. Though they are painless, cataracts can interfere significantly with vision and normal daily activities. Eventually, untreated cataracts can cause the level of vision to deteriorate to legal blindness. Fortunately, cataracts are highly treatable; cataract surgery can fully restore patients’ vision to pre-cataract levels.

Cataract surgery is only performed one on eye at a time. Each surgery usually takes less than an hour; if needed, surgery for the second eye can be scheduled a few weeks after the first.

During cataract surgery, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a synthetic lens implant. This transparent lens implant restores the patient’s vision. Cataract surgery is typically performed under a local anesthetic. The procedure is associated with little to no discomfort.

There are two main types of cataract surgery, known as phacoemulsification (or phaco) and conventional extracapsular cataract extraction (also known as ECCE). Both surgical methods involve the implantation of an intraocular lens. This lens may be foldable or non-foldable, which does affect the required incision size. Phaco usually requires an incision of about 2 to 3 millimeters, while ECCE requires an incision of about 10 to 12 millimeters, which can require sutures to close.

Before the lens may be replaced with the implant, first the cataract must be extracted from the eye, which requires the removal of the natural lens. To make the lens easier to remove, the phacoemulsification cataract removal procedure uses an ultrasonic frequency to break apart the lens material; these smaller pieces are easier to remove surgically. ECCE does not use such a method, which is why it requires a larger incision in the eye. This procedure is typically chosen for patients with very hard cataracts that cannot be broken apart easily. Once the natural lens has been removed, an artificial lens is implanted. Known as an intraocular lens or IOL, it is usually placed in to the eye using the same incision used to remove the cataract.

Following the surgery, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops are prescribed for up to two weeks. The eye should be nearly completely recovered within a week, with full recovery within one month. During this time, it is important to avoid strenuous activities or those that would place pressure on the eye, although you should be able to return to your normal daily activities within a week. For more information about cataracts treatment in Austin, contact our office today.