5 MINUTE READ | March 3, 2022 | Cataracts

Cataract Surgery: What You Need to Know

An ophthalmologist handles all eye surgeries such as cataract surgery. Cataract causes the lens in the eye, which is normally clear, to get cloudy, causing sight issues. You can correct this problem with cataract surgery, where the lens of the eye gets taken out and replaced with an artificial one.

Cataract surgery is a safe procedure, and it doesn’t require you to stay in the hospital.

Why Are Cataract Surgeries Done?

A cataract surgery is a means to correct a cataract in the eye. As mentioned above, cataract causes the lens in the eyes to become blurry, which causes the inability to see clearly.

If you’re experiencing difficulties seeing, your doctor will suggest you have a cataract surgery. Also, if the cataract is affecting both eyes, then you will have to have two surgeries to correct both eyes.

If your doctor suggests cataract surgery, you will have a period to decide if you want to go through with the process. You don’t have to worry as the cataract won’t get any worse during that waiting period.

What Are the Risks of Cataract Surgery?

If you develop complications after doing a cataract surgery, you need not worry. Complications are very uncommon and can be successfully treated.
However, you can look out for any signs after your surgery such as:
• Infection
• Glaucoma
• Detachment of the retina
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Secondary cataract

If you’re suffering from another eye disease, the risk of having complications after surgery will be high. You should also understand that with any underlying eye problem, the cataract surgery may not be successful. Therefore, it’s best to treat any other eye issues before opting for eye surgery.

Preparation for Cataract Surgery

You will be given some instructions when preparing for eye surgery such as:
• Medication and food – You may be instructed to not consume anything twelve hours before your surgery. Your doctor may also ask you to stop taking any forms of medication that you’re on so that nothing will interfere with surgery.

• Other forms of precautions – On a normal circumstance, you’re able to go home the same day after your surgery. So you can ensure you arrange someone to pick you up afterwards. You may also be limited by your doctor therefore, you’ll need to have someone at home to assist you.

How to Prepare Yourself for Eye Surgery

Your doctor will do a routine ultrasound to look at the shape of your eye and test it. This will help them know the correct size for the lens replacement. They give almost all cataract surgery patients intraocular lens, which helps to focus light at the back of the eyes.

These lenses will eventually become a part of your eye, and it requires no special care.

What Happens During and After the Surgery?

A cataract surgery takes less than an hour to be done. The ophthalmologist will put an eye drop in your eye, which will help it to dilate. You’ll also get an anesthetic to numb the area and a sedative to help you relax.

The clouded lens is then removed, and the artificial lens implanted.

Schedule an Appointment

If you were informed by your doctor to have cataract surgery and are living in the Boca Raton, FL area, you can schedule a consultation with Dr. Archana Gupta at Advanced Eye Surgeon. Visit their website for more information.

DLM Admin

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