A recent survey of vision care professionals revealed that over 80% believe that their patients have not been given a complete and thorough explanation of the risks and benefits of cataract surgery. The survey also revealed that nearly half of all patients do not understand what to expect after surgery.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. It involves removing the cloudy lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens. The most common type of cataract surgery is called phacoemulsification. This type of surgery uses ultrasonic energy to break up the lens and then remove it through a small incision.
What type of Cataract exist?
Most cataract surgeries are done for people who have age related cataracts. However, cataract surgery is also performed for people who have cataracts caused by other conditions such as diabetes, radiation therapy or trauma. Cataract surgery can be performed on both eyes at the same time if necessary.
Be informed on the risk of Cataract surgery
Before you have cataract surgery, you will need to discuss your options with your doctor. You should also talk about the risks and benefits of the procedure with your family members and friends. Most cataract surgeons will perform a pre-operative examination to determine whether the surgery is right for you. You may need to have tests done before surgery to make sure there are no problems with your eyes. You may also need to have an exam done to check for other medical conditions that may require treatment before cataract surgery.
The day of surgery will be different depending on which type of cataract surgery you have. If you have cataract surgery using phacoemulsification, you will probably stay in the hospital overnight. If you have cataracts removed using a traditional surgical method, you will usually stay in the hospital for just a few hours. During your stay, you will be monitored closely by a nurse or doctor. You may have to take medication to help prevent infection.
After you have cataract surgery you may feel some pain and discomfort in your eyes. You may experience blurred vision. Your vision may improve gradually over several days. You will need to wear glasses or contact lenses after surgery. You may need to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes until your vision improves.
Your doctor may recommend follow up visits to make sure you are healing properly. These appointments are scheduled based on your needs. If you have any questions or concerns, please talk to your doctor.
