Considering Cataract Surgery? Here’s What You Should Know
May 13, 2022
Long recovery periods are a thing of the past with the advanced cataract removal procedures of today. Major advances in medicine have turned the process into a single trip, and you’ll be ready to get back to your everyday life in no time. The chances of a complication are rare, and your ophthalmologist will make sure you understand your best treatment plan using the latest practices and technology available. Here is what to know about cataract surgery.
Should I Be Worried About Cataracts?
There’s nothing unusual about developing cataracts. It’s often a normal side-effect of aging, and you’ll become far more likely to experience the development of cataracts in your golden years. One out of every two people has cataracts by the time they retire. It’s caused by the normal aging of the lenses in your eyes, and it can significantly affect your vision. If you have cataracts, it’s important to know that it’s normal and treatable.
Do I Need to Get Cataract Surgery?
Some people can function perfectly fine without surgery, but the condition almost always tends to worsen with time. It can start with a slight case of nearsightedness, so you could end up needing reading glasses before long. After that, it can develop into a form of night-blindness. Eventually, bright colors will appear bland and dull. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about worsening symptoms when you elect to have cataract surgery in the earlier stages of development.
What is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. It’s a very delicate procedure, but it’s very simple, quick, and safe. Cataracts cause abnormalities within the lenses of your eyes, and your lenses become thicker or misshapen. That’s what creates the distortion in your vision over time. Surgery removes the clouded lenses and restores your vision. You’ll be given a local anesthetic during your surgery, and the damaged lens will be replaced with an artificial one that won’t be susceptible to clouding or abnormalities. It’s an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to go home afterward, and you’ll be able to see better within just a few days of recovery.
Are there any other options?
Currently, there’s no other way to cure cataracts aside from undergoing a lens replacement procedure. If your lens is damaged from cataracts, then the body has no way of repairing it on its own. Thankfully, cataracts are not a life-threatening condition, and it does not make you more susceptible to other eye diseases. However, cataracts may make it much more difficult to properly treat other eye conditions you may develop in the future. That’s why it’s important to talk with your ophthalmologist about your options.
Schedule a Consultation
Cataract surgery is a low-hassle way to restore your vision for the long term. To meet with our team and learn more about your options, we invite you to contact our Falls Church office by calling or filling out our online form.
