What is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a kind of eye surgery used to remove a cataract (cloudy lens) and improve eyesight. Like a camera, your eye has a lens that focuses light. This lens is primarily composed of water and proteins. As a cataract develops, the proteins start degrading, causing the lens to become clouded and yellow. The most common cause of cataracts is aging. Medical illnesses, drugs, traumas, and past eye procedures can cause cataracts.
A cataract inhibits light from passing through your lens correctly. As a result, you may have blurred vision, halos surrounding bright lights, or double vision. By undergoing cataract surgery, a clear, artificial lens will replace your clouded lens. A cataract surgeon (ophthalmologist) performs the procedure and advises you on the appropriate intraocular lens (IOL).
Most people have an IOL installed as part of their cataract surgery. IOLs are transparent, allowing light to pass through and be focused by your eye. They have varying focusing strengths that can correct nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Cataract surgery is performed only by ophthalmologists. They can diagnose and treat eye disorders, along with carrying out surgeries. You may, however, see some other specialists who provide eye care. Other professionals who can assist you with eye care include:
- Opticians: These professionals fit glasses and contacts. They have no training in diagnosing or treating eye disorders.
- Optometrists: These individuals are authorized to perform eye exams and have the education and training to detect and treat specific eye problems. Optometrists, however, are not medical doctors. They can detect cataracts but cannot perform cataract-removal surgery.
Who needs cataract surgery?
If your vision loss due to cataracts interferes with everyday activities like reading, driving, or watching TV, your eye doctor may recommend cataract surgery. Even though cataracts may not be the primary cause of your visual difficulties, your doctor may recommend surgery. Cataracts, for example, may need to be removed so the physician can see into the back of your eye. It can aid in detecting and treating various eye ailments, like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy.
Discuss the risks and benefits with the cataract surgeon to determine whether cataract surgery is best for you. Remember that if you have cataracts in both eyes, you'll need to have each eye operated on separately, usually approximately a month apart.
What questions should you ask the cataract surgeon?
Before you undergo cataract surgery near you, you must ensure you are comfortable with your surgeon and clearly understand the procedure. This way, you and your loved ones can feel at ease before the surgery. Therefore, during your first appointment, consider asking the following questions to your provider:
Questions about cataracts:
- Can you explain my condition in detail? What is a cataract? What caused it?
- Do I have cataracts in one or both eyes?
Questions about the cataract surgery:
- How will cataract surgery be beneficial for me?
- Do you offer traditional or laser cataract surgery?
- What are the different types of lens implants? Which one will you be using for my case?
- Are there any risks involved with the procedure?
- How long is the cataract surgery?
- What type of anesthesia will you use?
- Is the surgery painful?
- Will I have perfect vision after surgery, or do I still need eyeglasses?
- Am I allowed to use contact lenses after cataract surgery?
- How should I prepare for the cataract surgery? Are there any do's and don'ts to keep in mind?
Questions about recovering from the cataract surgery:
- Can I return home immediately after the surgery, or will I have to wait for some time in your office?
- What are the expected symptoms after the procedure? Are there any warning signs I should be aware of?
- Do I need to avoid any activities after the surgery? If so, when can I resume them?
- How long is the recovery period after cataract surgery?
- Will I need a follow-up visit?
How should I prepare myself for cataract surgery?
You will need to take specific precautions to prepare for cataract surgery. These include:
- Consult your ophthalmologist: Your eye doctor will conduct specific eye exams to determine the size and shape of your eye around a week before surgery. These tests assist them in selecting the best type of artificial lens.
- Use special eye drops: Your surgeon may prescribe special eye drops to help protect your eye from infection.
- Stop using certain medications: Inform your surgeon about any medications you take. If you are taking a medicine that may cause bleeding during your surgery, your provider may advise you to discontinue it for a short period.
- Do not eat or drink anything the night before surgery: Your eye doctor may advise you to refrain from eating and drinking for several hours before surgery.
- Ensure your eyes and lashes are clean: To eliminate germs that could lead to an infection, your eye doctor may have you wipe your eyelids and eyelashes using baby shampoo the night before and the morning of your surgery.
On the day of your cataract surgery, bring a friend or family member with you. Since you won't be able to drive afterward, you will need someone to take you home safely.
Will my vision return to normal following cataract surgery?
Around nine out of ten people with cataract surgery report better sight afterward. However, your vision may be fuzzy at first as your eye heals. Colors may appear brighter following cataract surgery, according to some people. The artificial lens lacks the apparent yellow or brown tint that your natural lens had due to the cataract. Once your eye has recovered, you may require new glasses or a contact lens prescription to see effectively.
How to relieve anxiety before cataract surgery?
Experiencing some level of stress and nervousness before any medical procedure is normal. However, you must not let your fears stop you from getting the care you need to enjoy a better quality of life. If you are anxious about an upcoming cataract surgery near you, consider following these tips to help you feel at ease:
- Know about the procedure: When you know what to expect during cataract surgery, how to prepare for it, and how to recover post-operation, you can feel more confident about the situation. Hence, it is a good idea to discuss all your concerns and questions with the cataract surgeon.
- Remind yourself of the benefits: Every time you feel nervous, keep reminding yourself of how the surgery will positively improve your vision, eye health, and overall quality of life.
- Learn success stories: Talk to family, friends, colleagues, or others who have undergone cataract surgery. You can discuss their experiences and outcomes to feel reassured. You can also ask your doctor to share positive case studies of past patients for more information.
- Try relaxation techniques: In the days leading up to the procedure, you can practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, meditation, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization to alleviate your anxiety.
- Seek support: You can share your concerns about the surgery with a trustworthy family member, friend, or caregiver. Letting out your troublesome thoughts and feelings can help you feel better. Additionally, request a loved one to join you on the day of your surgery. Having emotional support by your side can help significantly reduce your stress.
- Choose a comfortable outfit: Before the procedure, make sure you decide in advance what you’ll be wearing. Opt for loose-fitting, breathable, and soft clothing that will keep you comfortable. A shirt, sweatpants, hoodie, and slip-on shoes are perfect. Avoid outfits that would make you sweaty, itchy, or uncomfortable.
How can you find the best provider for cataract surgery near you?
Since ophthalmologists perform cataract surgery, you must find these specialists. To find the best cataract surgeons, visit the Zocdoc website. Enter the specialist you want to see (ophthalmologist) and your location, and select your insurance plan from the drop-down menu. Zocdoc will provide you with a list of the best cataract surgeons in your area.
If you do not have a health plan or do not want to use one to book your appointment, do not panic. Adding your insurance information is voluntary. You can acknowledge that you will be paying out-of-pocket by selecting "I'm paying for myself" and continuing your search. You will receive provider suggestions who accept appointments without insurance. For more details about insurance, remember to check out our patient help center page.
You can learn about the providers' qualifications, licensure, experience, and areas of expertise through their profiles. You can also get information on their languages, whether they treat children, etc. Moreover, you can review the reviews left by patients previously seeking treatment with the listed ophthalmologists. These reviews are always vetted and verified by Zocdoc and are thus highly reliable.
Once you have decided upon the best cataract surgeon near you, book an appointment through Zocdoc. All appointments made via Zocdoc are easy, safe, and 100% free.
Cataract statistics
As per a US Bureau of Labor Statistics report, there were around 12,580 ophthalmologists in the country as of May 2022.
Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cataracts are among the primary causes of blindness worldwide. It is also the primary cause of vision loss in the country. Furthermore, almost 20.5 million (~17.2%) people above 40 have cataracts in one or both eyes, and nearly 6.1 million (~5.1%) have had their lenses removed operatively. The total number of people with cataracts was estimated to increase to approximately 30.1 million by 2020.
Cataracts can occur at any age for various reasons and can be present at birth. Although treatment for removing cataracts is widely available, barriers such as treatment costs, insurance coverage, or lack of awareness prevent many individuals from receiving proper treatment.
Sources
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Cleveland Clinic
Healthgrades
National Eye Institute
Mount Sinai
North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care
Evergreen Eye Center
Mayo Clinic
