When you have a cataract, it can significantly affect your vision, and if left untreated, you can lose your sight in the eye entirely. Any surgery can be daunting when you do not know what to expect, and if you are going to have a cataract operation, you will want to research what happens, so you know what to expect. Below is a summary of what happens during the procedure so that you know what you are in for and prepare yourself accordingly.
What Is A Cataract?
A cataract is a cloud area which forms over the lens of your eye, dimming your vision and making it cloudy or blurry. The proteins in the kens start to break down as you get older, and it is something that happens over a prolonged period, with the vision reducing slowly.
Phacoemulsification Surgery
Removing a cataract using Phacoemulsification is a simple surgery, and it does not take long and can help restore your vision. The surgeon will make a small incision in the cornea and using sound waves to break up the cloudy lens into small pieces. They will then use a small suction device to remove these small pieces and help restore the vision. As the incision in the eye is so small, there is no need for stitches and the eye heals itself relatively quickly.
Extracapsular Surgery
Another method of removing a cataract is Extracapsular surgery, similar to Phacoemulsification. However, the surgeon will make a slightly bigger cut in the cornea, and instead of using sound waves to break the lens up, they remove it in one piece. This option is primarily used when the lens is extremely cloudy, and they will struggle to break it up using sound waves.
Laser-Assisted Surgery
You can also have laser-assisted surgery to remove cataracts from your eyes. A benefit of this type of surgery is that you can also have other optical problems fixed to help restore your vision to almost 20/20. The main difference with this type of surgery is that they will not use a scalpel to make an incision and use a laser instead.
Whichever technique you use to remove your cataract, the surgeon will place a new lens in the eye and help to restore your vision. There can be some discomfort after the surgery, and there are things you will need to do and not do to ensure your eyes heal correctly. You can click here to learn more about recovering from cataract surgery, so you know what to expect.
