A cataract happens when the lens in your eye becomes cloudy and hard. The lens is the clear part of your eye that helps focus images. Cataracts can cause problems such as blurry or dulled vision, sensitivity to light and glare, and seeing shadows or ghost-like images.
A cataract will get worse if not removed. Surgery is the only way to do so. it is your choice when to have cataract surgery. Most people wait until their vision problems interfere with daily life. You can instead decide not to hate your cataract removed.
During cataract surgery, an eye surgeon will remove the cloudy lens. He or she will replace it with an “lOL” (intraocular lens, a clear plastic artificial lens). The most common is a “monofocal” (one focus) lOL. This helps improve vision at mostly just one distance, either near or far. You will probably need glasses to see clearly at other distances.
Cataract surgery only corrects vision problems caused by cataracts. This surgery cannot correct vision problems caused by glaucoma, diabetes, age-related macular degeneration, or other eye illnesses or injuries.
Many patients with cataracts also have astigmatism or presbyopia (eye problems that make it hard to see)
- Astigmatism causes blurry vision. Normally, eyes are round (like a soccer ball). With astigmatism, the eye is long (like a rugby ball)
- Presbyopia makes it hard for the eye to focus on near vision. Most people get this as they age. People at any age who have cataract surgery with a monofocal IOL focused for distance vision will have some presbyopia. People with presbyopia might hold a book or menu at arm’s length to try to see it more clearly.
Cataract surgery is usually safe and successful. As with all surgery, there are risks (problems that can happen) with cataract surgery. While the eye surgeon cannot tell you about every risk, here are some of the common or serious risks:
- Risks from cataract surgery include vision loss, blindness, or not getting the result you want. You could also have bleeding, infection, a droopy eyelid, or glaucoma (high eye pressure). You could get a detached retina. This is when the retina, at the back of the eye, pulls away from where it is attached. You may need surgery to fix the detached retina). Your eye may be injured by surgery or anesthesia. You may need another surgery later to take out pieces of the cataract that were not removed during the cataract surgery.
- Risks from an lOL. The IOL may be too weak or too strong. The eye surgeon might not be able to insert the IOL of your choice. The eye surgeon may need to replace or reposition your IOL months or years after surgery.
Problems during surgery that need immediate treatment. Your surgeon may need to do more surgery - Problems during surgery that need immediate treatment. Your surgeon may need to do more surgery right away or change your surgery to treat this new problem.
Anesthesia can cause heart and breathing problems. Very rarely, it can cause death. Anesthesia can also - Anesthesia can cause heart and breathing problems. Very rarely, it can cause death. Anesthesia can also injure your eye and cause vision loss or double vision.
Other risks. There is no guarantee that cataract surgery will improve your vision. lt is possible that cataract - Other risks. There is no guarantee that cataract surgery will improve your vision. lt is possible that cataract surgery or anesthesia may make your vision worse, cause blindness, or even the loss of an eye. These problems can appear weeks, months, or even years after surgery.
- You may need to wear glasses after cataract surgery.
