Cataracts are a condition affecting the eye and vision that is relatively common, and especially so with advancing age. More than half of all people in the United States can expect to have cataracts or have had surgery to correct them by the time they are 80 years old.
Cataracts involve the lens of the eye, which usually works to direct and focus light coming into the eye onto the retina. In people with cataracts, the lens becomes increasingly opaque, decreasing its ability to focus and direct light. The result of this is vision that becomes more and more blurred over time.
Eye cataract surgery takes two forms: traditional surgery completed with a scalpel, and laser-assisted surgery where the surgeon uses a type of laser beam to remove the lens and replace it with an artificial one called an intraocular lens.
Of course, any eye surgery comes with the fears associated with undergoing any surgery as well as the fear of losing what is left of one’s vision. It is this reason why most people become clients at the best cataract surgery center they possibly can.
Before Your Laser Cataract Surgery
You will need to have several appointments with your ophthalmologist prior to undergoing laser cataracts surgery. This will allow for the assessment of the extent of your cataracts and any difficulties with surgical intervention that can be foreseen.
It will also give you ample opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the process and to have your concerns addressed, if any.
The Surgical Process
When you get to the place where your surgery is being done on the surgical date, your surgeon should review with you what is being done and its risks, have you sign the consent forms if you have not already done so, and reiterate if there are any special requirements for you to follow after your surgery.
Note that laser cataract surgery is considered by ophthalmologists and other medical professionals to be a more precise and more accurate surgical method than traditional surgery with a scalpel. However, it remains to be seen if this translates to improved outcomes such as quicker recovery or clearer vision in the long term.
What to Expect after Laser Cataract Surgery
After your laser cataract surgery is over, you will need to have someone else drive you home.
With the best cataract surgery, recovery time is minimal, and you should be able to go back to most of your normal daily activities within a matter of days.
The two types of eye cataract surgery have the same recovery time. It typically takes between hours and weeks for your vision to return fully clear. It may take up to two to three months for your vision and eyes to make a 100% recovery.
