Cataract surgery entails removing the eye’s cloudy lens and substituting it with an artificial lens to improve vision. It is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States, with more than 3 million procedures performed annually. Advancements in technology have resulted in improved outcomes and made cataract surgery Jenkintown a safe procedure.
The human lens is clear and colorless. Older adults often develop cataracts, which are clouding of the lens by proteins and other substances within the eye. Cataracts can interfere with vision by making colors appear faded or causing objects to appear blurry or dim. In addition, as cataracts progress, they may also make it difficult for a person to see at night or during inclement weather because of glare from light reflecting off the water, snow, or ice.
What to expect if you have cataract
A cataract can develop very slowly, sometimes over decades. During this time, symptoms may be mild and manageable. As a cataract worsens, symptoms may become more severe and noticeable to others, including changes in vision ranging from mild blurring to complete loss of sight.
Cataracts can sometimes be treated with medication or special lenses that filter out bright light and reduce glare. Sometimes these treatments are sufficient to manage symptoms until they disappear.
What are the benefits of cataract surgery?
Helps improve vision
The main benefit of cataract surgery is that it allows people to see again after years of poor vision. The cloudy lens distorts images and makes colors appear faded, so after a cataract is removed, colors are brighter, and everything has a more crisp, focused appearance. An additional benefit of cataract surgery is that the artificial lens doesn’t allow light to refract or bend in multiple directions, so patients do not have the problem of halos or multiple images around bright lights.
Quick recovery
You will likely experience some redness and irritation in your eye after the procedure, but it usually only lasts a day or two. Most people can resume their normal activities within a few days after the operation with little to no discomfort.
No risk of further damage to your eye
A cataract prevents clear vision and can sometimes cause other conditions like glaucoma or retinal detachment when left untreated for too long. So, when the eye is treated, it minimizes the chances of developing further eye complications.
Improved quality of life
Even when glasses are used to correct blurry vision, they often don’t help a patient feel as comfortable as they would if they had no visual impairment. Many people feel that their eyesight is not as sharp after wearing glasses for years as it was before they needed them. Cataract surgery can restore normal vision, meaning patients will live their lives more fully without glasses or contact lenses.
Cataract surgery replaces a clouded lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This operation is also known as lens replacement surgery or phacoemulsification. In this procedure, the cloudy lens inside the patient’s eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. The surgeon performs the cataract surgery using a microscope called an operating microscope. This improves visibility during surgery, which results in better outcomes for patients. If you have a cataract, contact Suburban Eye Associates professionals today.
