Cataract Surgery Explained

1. CATARACT SURGERY EXPLAINED WHAT IS A CATARACT? A cataract is a painless clouding of the lens of the eye. The lens is the crystalline structure that sits behind the pupil and is that part of your eye that helps to focus an image on the retina. The retina is the light- sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. A cataract generally develops over a long period of time, causing your eyesight to get progressively worse. Your vision becomes blurred because the cataract acts as if you are looking through frosted glasses and afects vision. Over time, cataracts become worse and eventually surgery is needed to remove and replace the afected lens. CAN A CATARACT SPREAD FROM ONE EYE TO ANOTHER? Cataracts cannot spread from one eye to another; however they do tend to develop in both eyes around the same time asymmetrically. It is possible to sufer from cataracts in just one eye. CAN I GET BOTH EYES TREATED AT ONCE? Typically, your expert consultant will not perform cataract removal on both eyes at the same time, with each eye requiring a separate procedure. If you need cataract surgery on both eyes then the procedures can generally be done within a few weeks of each other. CAN MY CATARACT COME BACK AFTER IT HAS BEEN REMOVED? No, once a cataract has been removed it cannot return to the same eye. The artificial lens which replaces your eye’s natural lens in surgery does not allow cataracts to build up, leaving you with clear vision afer the treatment. HOW QUICKLY WILL MY VISION BE RESTORED? Afer your cataract operation, your vision will be blurry at first and you may be asked to wear a protective patch. Your sight should return a few hours afer the operation and your vision should improve quickly over the next week or two, reaching its optimum at 4-6 weeks. DO I HAVE TO STAY OVERNIGHT AFTER THE CATARACT SURGERY? No, the surgery itself only takes a few minutes and the majority of your recovery can be done in the comfort of your own home. It is advisable to arrange for transportation or bring a family member or friend along. WHAT ARE THE TREATMENT OPTIONS? At present, the only corrective treatment for a cataract is surgery. Patients contemplating cataract surgery can choose between a standard cataract surgery or cataract refractive surgery. Patients may wish to consider cataract refractive surgery if they want to reduce their dependence on glasses. If the cataract is not removed, vision will gradually get worse and can, if severe, lead to blindness if lef untreated. WILL I NEED GLASSES, CONTACT LENSES OR READING GLASSES AFTER CATARACT SURGERY? Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with a clear permanent artificial lens. Any existing or future long or short-sightedness problems may still exist. This surgery could help you eliminate or reduce dependence on glasses at the same time as removing your cataract. WILL THERE BE ANY PAIN? The operation itself is pain free. During the procedure a local anesthetic is used to numb the eye and the area surrounding it. Afer the procedure, mild discomfort or itching is normal. This should disappear in just one or two days. About Optegra Optegra is UK's most trusted eye health care group. In addition to offering SMILE, LASIK & LASEK laser eye surgery, we are a nationwide provider covering leading solutions to a wide range of eye health problems, including lens exchange and cataract. There are more reasons to trust Optegra with your eyes than anyone else. Learn more at Optegra.com