Always Have Glasses Even if You Don't Usually Wear Them

If you're an aging adult, there is a good chance you'll need to have eye cataract surgery. As the eye's natural lens ages, it will eventually become cloudy and form a cataract. In order to regain vision, the cataract needs to be removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens.

If you would like to learn more about this procedure, here are three things to know about cataract eye surgery.

1. What to Expect During Eye Cataract Surgery

An eye doctor that specializes in diseases and surgical procedures of the eye will perform the eye cataract surgery. This type of doctor is called an ophthalmologist. The procedure is done outpatient, which means you will be in and out on the same day. You will be given eye drops to dilate your pupil as well as a local anesthetic to numb the eye.

The most common procedure used for eye cataract surgery is called phacoemulsification. During this procedure, the ophthalmologist makes a small incision in your cornea and uses a probe to break up the cataract. The fragments of the cataract are then extracted from the eye. If you have cataracts in both eyes, you will not have the procedure done in both eyes on the same day.  

2. What Recovery Is Like Following Eye Cataract Surgery

Right after the eye cataract surgery, you may feel some discomfort after the anesthesia wears off. If your eyes do feel uncomfortable, you can take an over-the-counter pain medication. You should not experience any major pain following eye cataract surgery, however.

Along with some mild discomfort, your eye might feel irritated, like there is something in it. You might also have blurry vision, watery eyes, or light sensitivity. These kinds of symptoms are only temporary. To minimize these symptoms, you should not drive right after eye cataract surgery, nor should you rub your eye or expose it to dust and dirt.

3. The Benefits of Eye Cataract Surgery

One of the greatest benefits of eye cataract surgery is that you will obtain near-perfect vision afterward. Following eye cataract surgery, many people no longer need to wear glasses. Some of them, however, might need to use reading glasses.

Unfortunately, no surgical procedure is without risks and complications. Some of the possible complications of eye cataract surgery include vision loss, eye pain, droopy eyelid, inflammation, and elevated eye pressure. These complications are rare and if they do occur can usually be treated.

To learn more about eye cataract surgery, contact an optometrist near you.