What needs to know about Cataract Surgery?

After the 50s, most people develop cataracts in their eyes. A Cataract is clouding on the lens present inside the eye, leading to blurriness or loss of vision. This eye problem can’t be corrected with the help of contact lenses or glasses.

But don’t get frightened because modern cataract surgery can easily restore the vision loss and minimizing your dependence in glassses.

In most cases, cataracts are associated with aging and are commonly found in older adults. According to a recent survey, 68.3 % of the population over the age of 80 has cataracts, and it is expected to grow significantly in the coming time. Roughly 24.4 million people in America had cataracts, and this number is expected to grow by 50.2 million by the year 2050.

Fortunately, Modern cataract surgery has come up as one of the most effective and safest surgical procedures. Over 3 million cataract surgeries take place in the United States. Even though these surgeries are performed at a vast level, their outcome is unaffected and produces an excellent visual result.

Basic cataract surgery

In this surgery, a lens inside your eyes becomes cloudy; therefore, it is removed and replaced with an artificial lens that restores the proper vision.

This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, and the patient doesn’t need to stay in the hospital or any care facility for the observation.

In modern cataract procedures, high-frequency ultrasound devices are used to breaks up the cloudy lens into a small piece; it later removes from the eye with the help of suction. This procedure is known as phaco and phacoemulsification; it can be performed by making a small incision compared to traditional surgical techniques for cataract removal. It promotes faster healing and reduces the chances of complications due to surgery like retinal detachment.

Laser Cataract surgery

Femtosecond lasers are quite similar to lasers that are used to create the corneal flap in all-laser LASIK. The FDA approved it for use in Cataract Surgery in the USA.

With the effective use of femtosecond lasers, the requirement of different types of handheld tools and surgical blades is reduced. This is the reason why it is approved for performing the following steps:-

·         For creating a corneal incision that allows the surgeon quick access to the lens

·         Remove anterior lens capsule.

·         Cataract Fragmentation(less phaco energy is needed to break and remove it)

·         When required, it helps in creating peripheral corneal incisions to lessen estimation.

Laser cataract surgery is fairly new, but it has increased the cost of cataract surgery. The primary use of a laser can range from $300,000 to $500,000 for the surgeon to purchase. Besides, there is some significant cost connected with the maintenance and use of this technology.

Studies reflect that lasers have improved the accuracy in certain steps of the surgery.

Recovery from Cataract Surgery

An uncomplicated surgery typically lasts about 15 minutes. But you need to be at the surgical center for 90 mins or longer because some extra time is required to prepare a patient for surgery and the brief post-opt instruction and evaluation about the surgery before you leave.

You must have a companion with you to drive you home as it is not recommended to drive until eye doctors confirm that it is safe.

Hudson Eye Physician/s & Surgeons William Constad, M.D., Scott Walsman, M.D. & Venkatesh Brahma, M.D. typically perform the lens implant and cataract surgery outpatient, which offers convenient and comfortable same-day surgery. Depending on your requirement and procedure outcome, our eye doctors will give you some recommendations and instructions for your quick recovery. We make sure that you will return to your normal routine as soon as possible.