Preparation and result of cataract surgery

Currently, a significant portion of the world’s population is affected by cataract, which is a clouding on the natural lens. These patients typically suffer from blurry vision and even visual loss. This condition is reversible without external help. In fact, cataract requires surgical removal when a patient’s daily activities are severely affected, such as driving, reading, watching TV, artwork and so on. Some people who need sharp vision for work may want to get their cataracts removed as early as possible. Astigmatism can be addressed during the same surgery.

Candidate evaluation

Except for the time selection of the surgery as described above, it is also necessary to evaluate good candidates for it. In some cases, it is more difficult to remove a tiny cataract. Yet extremely mature cataract requires more skills from the surgeon, so that patients should never wait too long before a cataract surgery. In addition, cataracts in one-eyed patients involve more risks since they will more probably suffer complications. These patients should carefully balance the benefits against potential risks. When there is another eye condition or disease, cataract surgery could be inappropriate.

Necessary preparation before cataract surgery

Cataract patients who are on certain medications should get a second opinion about the surgery. They should make their surgeons know of the current medical conditions and medications, in case of certain postoperative implications. For example, blood thinners increase the risk of bleeding complications after cataract surgery. These medical conditions will quite probably cause negative reaction to cataract surgery. In fact, it is advisable to stop them several weeks before the surgery. As a necessary preparation of cataract surgery, topical anesthesia will usually be used solely with eye drops and sometimes enhanced with intravenous sedation. With this help, the patient will hardly experience pain and discomfort.

Restrictions during recovery period and checkup

After cataract surgery, burry vision may last several days or weeks. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions, e.g. eye drop administration everyday and avoiding lifting heavy objects and frequent eye rubbing. Other restrictions contain driving, flying, swimming, scuba diving and so on. The recovery period is based on the patient’s general health and visual outcome from the surgery. Normal activities such as walking, biking and shopping can be immediately recovered after the surgery, while athletic activities such as cycling require prior consultation with the doctor. At least, patients should go back the see the doctor the next day after the surgery and then a month later.

About final visual outcome after cataract surgery

The visual acuity after surgery depends on postoperative conditions and how the actual surgery went. In some instances, eyeglasses are still needed. Cataract removal is permanent, although sometimes the posterior capsule can become opacified and cause blurry vision. This opacification can be cleared by a YAG laser. Anesthetic injections for eye numbness could possibly cause black eye. Dissolvable sutures will go away on their own, while non-dissolvable ones require external removal.