Cataract surgery
A cataract is the clouding of the crystalline lens, the eye's natural lens. It is the most common cause of reversible vision loss in adults. Surgery removes that clouded lens and replaces it with a clear intraocular lens.
What a cataract feels like
A cataract does not hurt and does not make the eye red. It progresses slowly, which is why many patients adapt without realizing it. The typical signs are:
- Vision as if through a fogged or misted window.
- Colors look dull or yellowish.
- Glare from headlights at night or from the sun.
- Frequent prescription changes that no longer quite correct.
- Needing more light to read.
The procedure
It is done by phacoemulsification: through an incision of about 2.2 millimeters the lens is broken up with ultrasound and aspirated, and a folded intraocular lens is implanted, which unfolds inside the eye.
- Anesthetic drops or local anesthesia. No needles in most cases.
- Takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye.
- Day surgery: you come in and go home the same day.
- Usually requires no stitches.
- Each eye is operated separately, days or weeks apart.
Choosing the lens
The result depends as much on the calculation beforehand as on the surgery. Before the procedure we perform optical biometry, corneal topography and specular microscopy to select the power and type of lens. There are monofocal lenses, toric lenses for astigmatism, and extended-depth-of-focus or multifocal lenses.
No single lens suits everyone. The choice depends on your cornea, the state of your retina, your age and what you do during the day. Your specialist will go through it with you case by case.
Recovery
- First hours: blurred vision and a gritty sensation. This is normal.
- First week: antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops on the schedule you are given. Do not rub the eye, lift heavy weights or bend over sharply.
- Follow-up: the next day, at one week and at one month.
- Final prescription: around four to six weeks, once the eye has settled.
Recovery speed varies. Eyes with other conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy or advanced glaucoma, improve as far as those conditions allow.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cataract be removed with drops or with a laser instead of surgery?
No. There is currently no medication, drop or non-surgical treatment that reverses a cataract. Surgery is the only treatment.
Does it hurt?
The procedure is done under anesthesia and patients feel no pain, only pressure and lights. Afterwards there is usually mild discomfort or grittiness, managed with the prescribed drops.
Will I be free of glasses?
It depends on the lens implanted and on your eye. With a monofocal lens you would typically see well at distance and need glasses to read. Extended-depth-of-focus lenses reduce that dependence, but no lens guarantees complete freedom from glasses.
Can a cataract come back?
The natural lens does not grow back. What can cloud over months or years is the capsule that holds the implanted lens. That is treated in the office with a YAG laser, in a few minutes and without returning to surgery.
How much time off work will I need?
For office work, generally three to seven days. For physical work, or work with dust or sun exposure, your specialist will set a longer period.
This information is educational
What is described here is the usual approach and does not replace a medical assessment. The diagnosis and treatment for your case are decided by your treating specialist.
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