Cataract Eye Surgery

Many patients with cataracts choose cataract eye surgery to improve their vision. Cataract surgery is a reliable and frequently performed treatment for cataracts. By removing the cloudy lens, vision improves along with quality of life. Cataract surgery involves extracting the cataract and inserting a new, clear lens implant in its place. The procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis, taking less than an hour in most cases. As a cataract patient, you now have many options when it comes to which techniques are used during the surgery. A skilled ophthalmologist will help you decide which technique is best for you.

During cataract surgery, your physician may choose to remove the entire capsule along with the lens (intracapsular) or leave the capsule in place (extracapsular). Intracapsular surgery is performed less often because of the increased risk of complications, including retinal detachment and swelling.

After the removal procedure, your surgeon will replace the lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) through a small incision, allowing the lens to unfold within the eye. The surgeon may select from new treatment technology that includes ReSTOR, ReZoom and Crystalens implants. These implants will help you see clearly once again, at almost all distances. The proper lens is selected depending on your goals, daily activities and lifestyle, and the surgeon’s experience with each lens.

Although vision is clearer immediately after surgery, your vision will continue to improve over the next three to four weeks. Most patients will go through a post-surgery adjustment period of approximately 6 to 12 weeks. Your brain must once again "learn" how to see, slowly adapting to the implants. Patients usually report halos or glare around lights, especially at night. Fortunately, these side effects will gradually fade for most patients. Others may always notice them but will probably become less troublesome with time.