Posted by: Meghan G. Moroux in Eye Health & Vision Care
It is natural to have a million questions after being told you have cataracts. Even though cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the world, it can feel overwhelming or even scary when it is happening to YOUR eyes. In my experience, when I explain that cataracts will happen to everyone at some point in their lives and that it provides a great opportunity to correct vision/decrease dependence on glasses or contacts, most patients become excited about the opportunity!
Below are some questions I hear most often.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. When you are younger and have a clear lens, light can pass through uninterrupted and your vision can be clear. With time, natural changes in the lens cause it to become cloudy, which affects how easily the light can be focused and how clearly you can see. Most commonly, cataracts are caused by having birthdays (i.e. aging), but other causes include trauma, chronic steroid use, and medical conditions such as diabetes.
Common symptoms include blurry or hazy vision, increased glare especially with oncoming headlights while driving at night, colors appearing less vibrant, and more difficulty reading small print, especially in dim lighting.
Do cataracts need to be removed right away?
In most situations, no. Just because you have the start of cataracts does not mean you require surgery. Initially, you may still be able to correct your vision with glasses or contacts. But eventually, even new glasses or contact lens prescriptions will be unable to provide clear vision.
The decision to perform surgery is based on how your vision is affecting your daily life. If you are still driving comfortably, reading well, and functioning without frustration, it may be reasonable to wait. However, when vision problems start to interfere with everyday activities, that is often when surgery is recommended.
The timing should make sense for you, not just for the exam findings!
Can cataracts be treated without surgery?
There are no eye drops, medications, or supplements that can reverse or remove a cataract. As mentioned earlier, initially glasses and contact lenses can help improve vision, but these measures do not reverse the clouding of the lens. I tell all of my patients that if we are all lucky to live long enough, cataract surgery is the one procedure we will all have at some point.
Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery has a long history of safety and success.
While all surgery carries some risk, fortunately for us, serious complications are uncommon. Careful measurements, modern surgical technology, and individualized planning help keep the procedure safe and predictable.
What happens during cataract surgery?
During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (or IOL for short).
The procedure is done on an outpatient basis and usually takes about 10 to 15 minutes per eye. Given some rare risks associated with surgery, we typically only operate on one eye at a time. You are awake but comfortable. Most patients feel mild pressure rather than pain. Very small incisions are used and stitches are typically not needed. You get to go home after the procedure and follow up in the office the following day.
What is recovery like?
Many patients notice improved vision within a few days, with continued healing over several weeks. You will use prescription eye drops for a short time and follow simple guidelines to protect your eye while it heals. Most people return to normal daily activities quickly, including driving once cleared. If you are having surgery on your 2nd eye, that is typically performed 1-2 weeks later.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
That depends on the type of intraocular lens (IOL) chosen. Your surgeon will review all IOL options with you during your pre-operative visit. Not all intraocular lenses work well in every eye – several factors including eye health and overall vision goals are taken into consideration. Some are designed to give excellent distance vision with reading glasses still needed. Others can reduce dependence on glasses for all ranges (distance,
intermediate, and near), but they may involve trade-offs such as risk for glare or halos. The IOL technology is advancing each year, with a goal of decreasing the need for glasses as much as possible. But despite the amazing technology we already have, glasses may still be necessary for some activities.
There is no single IOL that is right for everyone. Choosing the best option requires understanding how you use your eyes, the overall health of your eye, and what matters most to you.
Can cataracts come back?
Once the natural lens is removed, cataracts do not return. A majority of patients do develop some clouding of the thin membrane behind the IOL months to years after cataract surgery. This is very common and easily treated with a brief, in-office laser procedure if needed.
What matters most when deciding about cataract surgery?
What matters most is how well the plan fits your lifestyle, vision needs, and expectations.
Cataract surgery is not just about improving numbers on an eye chart – it is about helping you see comfortably and confidently in your daily life!
Schedule a cataract evaluation by phone or online so we can talk about what you are noticing and decide together what makes the most sense for your vision. We are always happy to help!
Board Certified Ophthalmologist
Eye Specialists & Surgeons of Northern Virginia