When you have a cataract, your eyesight becomes hazy or blurry. It could even result to vision loss when not treated correctly. Cataracts often appear as a part of the eye’s aging process. It is typical for people at the age of forty or fifty. Cataracts may even be caused by some other health problem like diabetes or trauma in the eye. 1 option offered to cure or get rid of cataract is via cataract surgery. If you wish to know more about its process, the cataract surgery cost, or its risks, keep reading this article for more details.
If someone who has a cataract does not suffer from any other eye problem, like glaucoma or macular degeneration, he or she has bigger chances of a successful eye surgery. With this operation, it may help patients with astigmatism and shortsightedness to eliminate the need for using eyeglasses but may still need reading glasses. Cataract operation is made by replacing the cloudy lens with an artificial lens. The cataract surgery cost may change depending on your eye condition or the technology needed during the operation.
Key points to remember about cataract surgery:
- The surgery eliminates the hazy lens from eye. Artificial lens is needed to replace the cloudy lens. If you choose not to use artificial lens, then you will have to wear thick eyeglasses or special contact lenses instead.
- Surgery may be the only treatment for cataract, but not all cataracts need to undergo surgery. It depends on how much the eye problem affects you. Many people can still do well without surgery just by using contact lenses or eyeglasses.
- Poor vision because of cataracts usually manifest gradually or over time. In such case, surgery may be needed before it gets worse.
What are the risks you need to look out for:
Studies show that out of one thousand people who undergo cataract operation, fewer than ten persons have reported to have serious problem. To avoid these health problems, newer surgery techniques like laser treatment are being used.
The patient’s vision may still take about 1 month or 2 after surgery, to recover. As the eye recovers, eyesight becomes better.
Sometimes, cloudy vision may still return. It may come back gradually, several months or years later. This happens when the posterior bag of the lens starts to become cloudy. This can be repaired simply with laser surgery to polish the back surface of the lens.
Serious health problems that may happen include:
- Eye infection –a very serious eye infection called endophthalmitis which can lead to blindness. This is rare. Eye infection like uveitis, may affect your eyesight until you get proper treatment.
Retinal detachment – after the cataract surgery, there is a small risk for retinal detachment.
- Retina or cornea swelling –this causes blurry vision. Surgeons will prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to reduce swelling.
- Astigmatism – it is usually remedied with glasses or contact lenses.
It is important to inform the doctor about your medical history because some health problem may cause cataract like diabetes. It is hard for the eye doctor to determine if cataract is due to diabetes if there is no detailed medical history given. When cataract is detected, it is best to consult a doctor before it become worse. The recovery process is predicted to be easier if the cataract is removed earlier.
To schedule an appointment at Atlas Eye, visit their site or call their eye care centre. Their staff will be there to answer your question or to aid you with any of your eye care needs.
