Cataract Surgery: Key Signs You Need It and How It Can Help

Our eyes are among the most vital components of the body. They enable us to view the world clearly. However, with age, things can go wrong within our eyes. Among the most prevalent changes is the formation of cataracts.

Cataracts make the clear lens within the eye go cloudy, creating blurry or foggy vision. It may not be such a big deal at first. But it can make everyday activities difficult in the long run—making reading, driving, or even seeing faces difficult.

What Is Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which is normally clear. This lens is located behind the colored part of your eye (the iris) and focuses light onto the back of the eye (the retina).

When cataracts form, they block or scatter the light, making vision appear blurry, dull, or yellowish.

Cataracts are primarily linked to age, but they may also result from injury, some medications, or diseases such as diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataract?

The symptoms of cataract gradually develop and may initially go unnoticed. However, as the cataract enlarges, it affects increasing amounts of your lens and distorts your vision.

Some typical cataract eye symptoms include:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Colors looking faded or yellowish
• Difficulty reading at night or in low light
• Increased sensitivity to bright lights or glare
• Halos around lights (particularly at night)
• Having to use brighter light to read or for near work
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
• Double vision in one eye

If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to visit an eye doctor for a proper examination.

When Is Cataract Surgery Required?

Not everybody with cataracts must have surgery immediately. At first, you may get by with thicker glasses, improved lighting, or reading glasses.

But when your cataracts are interfering with your activities, your physician might say that surgery is necessary.

These are some obvious indications that cataract surgery could be necessary:

• You find reading, driving, TV watching, or using a phone difficult
• You can’t see well even with new glasses
• You have trouble seeing in bright light or headlights at night while driving
• You’re in danger of falling or getting into accidents because of your poor eyesight
• Your eye doctor can see that your cataract is developing rapidly

You’ll need to decide on surgery based on the impact the cataract is having on your daily life—and not necessarily the cloudiness your lens appears on a test.

How to Know If You Need Cataract Surgery?

You may ask yourself, “Do I need cataract surgery?” The response is based on how much cataracts are disrupting your daily activities.

If your vision is blurred enough to impact your comfort, safety, or independence, it is time to speak with your eye doctor. A routine eye exam, known as a slit-lamp exam, can examine the health of your lens.

Your eye doctor will  test your eyes, examine your retina, and perform a couple of other eye scans. Depending on these findings and your symptoms, they can advise you on when to schedule surgery.

What Are the Advantages of Cataract Surgery?

One of the world’s most frequent and successful surgeries is cataract surgery. It typically makes your eyesight, quality of life, and general well-being better.

Some major benefits of cataract surgery include:

• Clearer vision: Most people notice a big improvement in their eyesight within a few days.
• Brighter colors: Colors may appear more vibrant and natural after surgery.
• Better night vision: You’ll have less glare and halos from lights at night.
• Reduced dependence on glasses: Many people need fewer or no glasses after surgery, especially with advanced lenses.
• Greater freedom: You are able to do things by yourself again—such as reading, driving, or cooking—without a great deal of trouble.

Cataract surgery also decreases your risk of falls or injuries due to impaired sight.

What Are the Types of Cataract Surgery?

There are principally two types of cataract surgery:

1. Phacoemulsification (Phaco Surgery)

This is the most widespread and contemporary technique. A tiny incision is given in the eye, and an ultrasound probe is employed to shatter the cloudy lens into very small fragments. These fragments are extracted, and a fresh artificial lens (intraocular lens or IOL) is inserted in the same position.

This operation is short, painless, and generally does not require stitches.

2. Extracapsular Cataract Extraction (ECCE)

In this older technique, a bigger incision is made to cut out the cataract whole. This technique is employed when the cataract is too dense for phacoemulsification.

Recovery from this kind of surgery typically takes a little longer.

Advanced Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

There are also some hospitals that provide laser cataract surgery, in which a specific laser is used to make the cuts and fragment the lens. It’s more accurate but also more costly. Not everyone may need it, but it can be helpful with difficult cases.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure, meaning you go home the same day. The actual surgery lasts 15 to 30 minutes per eye.

Here’s step by step:

• Your eye is made numb with drops, so you won’t feel pain.
• A tiny incision is made on the side of the cornea.
• The milky lens is destroyed and taken out.
• A new artificial lens (IOL) is inserted into your eye.
• The tiny cut heals on its own with no stitches.

You will be awake for the surgery but will not feel anything. Some experience seeing lights or colors while having the procedure.

What Is the Recovery Time for Cataract Surgery?

Recovery from cataract surgery is typically uneventful and rapid.

• Most individuals can return home about an hour after the procedure.
• You will experience some itching, mild discomfort, or gritty sensation for a day or two.
• Vision will generally begin to improve in 2 to 3 days.
• Recovery will take 2 to 4 weeks.

Your physician will provide you with special eye drops to prevent infection and minimize puffiness. You will also be instructed to wear a protective eye shield at night for a few nights.

Rubbing your eyes, lifting, or swimming should be avoided during recovery. Most individuals resume normal activities within a week.

What Are the Side Effects or Risks of Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is extremely safe, but, like all surgery, it has some risks. These are:

• Mild eye inflammation (usual and easy to treat with drops)
• Infection (extremely unlikely if proper precautions are followed)
• Raised eye pressure
• Blurred vision or glare for a few days
• Retinal detachment (extremely unlikely)

Most issues can be treated simply if they are detected early. That’s why you should go for your follow-up appointments with the doctor.

How Long Does the New Lens Last?

The artificial lens implanted in your eye when you have cataract surgery is meant to last a lifetime. You don’t normally need to replace it.

But others might get a condition known as posterior capsule opacification (PCO) several months or years later. It’s as if a film is developing behind the new lens, fogging your vision again.

It can be corrected with a quick painless laser treatment known as YAG laser capsulotomy.

Conclusion

Living with blurry vision can be irritating. It can interfere with your job, your hobbies, and even your safety. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a safe and very successful method to restore clear vision and enhance your quality of life.

You do not have to wait until you have very poor eyesight. If you think your eyesight is preventing you from doing things you want or need to do, talk to an eye expert. A quick test can let you know if it is time to have surgery.