Of all structures in the eye, among the foremost is the eye’s natural lens – that is accountable for focusing light into the retina (back of the eye). After it gets to the retina, the light is converted into an electrical signal, that travels through the optic nerve up into the human brain.
In order for the lens to do its job efficiently and effectively, it should be magnificent – normally, light will not pass through it right. For a lot of people, that is not a problem. However, some individuals develop cataracts – which is once the eye’s all natural, crystalline lens becomes cloudy.
Developing cataracts is a regular portion of the aging process and can be a reality for millions of individuals as they get older. In reality, greater than ninety % of all the folks developed cataracts by the age of sixty five. Luckily, cataract surgery is a highly successful treatment option for nearly all folks.
Cataract surgery can be a life changing procedure for the correct person. It allows patients to see clearly again, one thing that is taken out in the presence of a cataract. With that said, huge numbers of individuals throughout the world wanting to know if they are an excellent candidate for it.
To be regarded as a great candidate for cataract surgery, one must first be identified as having a cataract. This calls for a scheduled appointment with an ophthalmologist, who is going to run you through a series of general questions, exams, and tests to assess the eye health of yours and detect eye problems.
While majority of folks wait for the symptoms to impede the ability of theirs to live a quality life, you need to be scheduling the typical, annual eye exam with your eye doctor. They’ve the tools to detect cataract development in the earliest stages of its, that is essential to receiving prompt cataract treatment.
Besides the diagnosis, cataract candidates should be in good general health as well as the surgery should lead to a definite improvement in vision – safely, might I add. The doctor of yours is going to take a few things into account before recommending cataract surgery, all in an attempt so you can stay healthy.
Complications Following Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is typically a successful surgery that only experiences complications in cases that are rare. In reality, under two % of cataract procedures end with sight threatening complications and about ninety % of all cataract surgeries end in an excellent outcome. Do not worry, you are in hands that are good.
In some rare cases, individuals might experience endophthalmitis — which is inflammation inside the eye, typically as a result of an eye infection. Many people that experience this had other health conditions that contributed to it, like high blood pressure or diabetes. Once again, this’s rare.
Moreover, a number of folks could possibly experience posterior capsular opacification (POC) — which is cloudiness of the eye after surgery. This typically occurs years or months after removing a cataract and is usually treatable with a posterior capsulotomy (laser procedure).
When Should Cataract Surgery Be considered?
Cataract surgery should be considered the moment symptoms start to impede the ability of yours to live a quality, healthy, happy, and rewarding life. Since the symptoms gradually worsen over time, eye doctors usually love to wait until the cataract matures before recommending surgery.
With that said, many early stages of cataract development can be handled with a change in eyeglass prescription. While cataract surgery will be required at some point as the condition worsens, this provides the patient time before taking that extreme measure – to not rush.
At the conclusion of the day, you will need to talk to the doctor of yours. Since everyone’s situation differs as well as treatment plans are usually different for each individual, your ophthalmologist will inform you when cataract surgery is recommended, when it is needed, and once it is not necessary.
Understanding the Signs, Symptoms, & Risks of Cataracts Like we pointed out above, cataract surgery requires a diagnosis and this generally comes after a person starts to have symptoms and signs of cataract development. Understanding what these early warning signs can be critical in detecting the condition as early as you possibly can.
Let us check out several of most prominent symptoms and signs of cataracts:
- Cloudy vision, blurry vision
- Glares and halos around lights
- Light sensitivity
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Double vision (multiple vision)
- Fading of colors
- Frequent changing of prescriptions
- Distorted vision
In case you see any of these symptoms or signs, do not wait to schedule a scheduled appointment with your eye doctor. Even in case you have already done your yearly exam with them, schedule another exam and update them on your brand new symptoms. They will help detect, diagnose, and treat them.
Before, During, and After Cataract Surgery
Before cataract surgery, your eye doctor is going to monitor the blood pressure of yours as well as heart health to make certain it is safe to advance. They can try to have you stop taking certain medication leading approximately the procedure. They are going to administer local anesthesia and various eye drops before the procedure.
As for the surgery, it’s done on an outpatient basis (in office patients and) are awake during the procedure. Do not worry, there is no pain involved and each eye only takes approximately 15 25 minutes. Your eye doctor will do one eye at a time, typically one week apart to allow for recovery.
Your ophthalmologist is going to make a tiny incision in the eye before emulsifying the cloudy lens and removing it from the eye. The lens will be replaced by an artificial lens, generally known as an intraocular lens. Since this one is obvious, the way nature intended, the individual is going to see clearly.
After the surgery, the eye of yours will be covered with a bandage or perhaps eye shield to protect the eye – do not worry, you are able to usually remove it later on that day. You will remain in the rest area for thirty minutes before receiving directions for recovery. You will need someone to drive you home.
The recovery process typically takes a number of weeks to a few months before the eye is completely healed. During that time, you will meet with your doctor repeatedly to monitor eye health. You will be directed to use eye drops during this time as well as may be asked to use a shield while sleeping.
Are you a Cataract Eye Surgery Candidate? Contact Us Today!
Cataract surgery usually produces instant results, which can be life changing for a person with cataracts. If you suspect you are a great candidate for cataract surgery, want to find out about the procedure, or perhaps are suffering early indicators of a cataract, contact us.
Our high tech, boutique style, luxurious office has the tools needed to enable you to monitor your eye health long term. We are able to help detect eye disease through regular eye exams, diagnose eye disease with extreme precision, and treat eye disease so you are able to regain control of the life of yours.