Things to Know to Make Cataract Surgery Easier

As with everything that pertains to your health, eye health is very important. Many take for granted the eyesight they have until glasses are necessary or other problems arise. This is one reason why it is very important to have regular eye exams and follow recommendations. In some cases, your eyes may form cataracts. This is an opaquing of the lens of your eye and causes blurry vision. In many cases, this is a problem that will have to be corrected with cataract surgery. Here are some things to know to make cataract surgery easier and a bit less stressful.

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is the process that will be used to remove the opaqued lens of your eye. During the process, your optometrist will numb your eye so that you feel no pain. Then, a small incision will be made in the cornea of your eye to allow the cataract to be broken up and cleaned out. The next step will be to replace the lens with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL. The incision will then be closed and allowed to heal. This closure does not normally require stitches, as it will seal quickly on its own. The process will take about an hour, and you will need somebody to drive you home.

Recovery 

After the surgery, a protective cover will be placed over your eye. Normally, you will be ready to go home about 30 minutes after you have your surgery. You will probably be given eye drops to use for a while after your surgery. Your optometrist will explain the procedure for administration and frequency of these drops. You also will not be able to rub or push on your eye in order to avoid causing damage. You will need to sleep in your protective eye shield but may be able to remove it during the day. You want to be sure you follow your optometrist's instructions thoroughly. This is very important for the success of your surgery and for quicker recovery time. Dependent on your body's healing speed you should be seeing with clarity within two weeks. This time may be less or slightly more, again dependent on your body. If you have had no improvement when you have your follow-up you should mention this to your optometrist.

Benefits

The benefits of cataract surgery can go beyond the removal of the cataract. In some cases, you may be able to see better after the surgery than you did before the cataract. In any case, you will be able to see better, which will help you in many aspects of life. From driving to working or reading. Having clearer eyesight will help you avoid accidents and have a more comfortable and enjoyable life.

Now that you know the procedure, recovery times and benefits you are ready to have stress-free cataract surgery and get back to seeing the world with corrected vision.