Cataract Surgery – Everything You Should Expect
You’ve been diagnosed with cataracts. Now what? This is actually pretty good news, but let us explain why – if you’ve been diagnosed, it’s probably because you were able to feel the fogginess or the cloudiness that cataracts are known for, which was probably troubling for you. As cataracts deteriorate, it’s becoming more and more difficult to function with a significantly impaired eyesight. So at this point you’re unsure – should I change my glasses once again? Should I start wearing them? Or why do I even feel like I’m having a hard time seeing?
The amazing thing about being diagnosed with cataracts is that you’re simply saved the interference cataracts would have been able to cause you in the near future, in case you hadn’t been diagnosed. Moreover, cataracts can be treated with a simple, quick procedure that is capable of kicking them out for good and restoring your good old vision back. All of a sudden, being diagnosed with a cataract might start sounding like a relief, doesn’t it? Let’s have a small chit chat about what the typical cataract surgery should look like, and what you can expect from the post-surgery period.
The typical cataract surgery shouldn’t take any longer than 15 minutes. However, do prepare yourself for an estimated 90-120 minutes at the facility your surgery takes place in. This is inclusive of the preparation and post-operative evaluation times, as well as recovery instructions and guidance times. In the surgery, the cloudy lens, which is the hallmark of cataracts, is replaced with a new artificial lens. Do not make any plans driving back home as your eye condition wouldn’t allow it for the next following days. For these reasons, make sure to arrive at the site with any other means but your private car.
It is plausible for you to experience light sensitivity after cataract surgery. Remember – your lens, the part of your eye which absorbs light and translates it into electrical signals, has just been operated on and replaced – like with every surgery, it is likely to be sensitive. This phenomena should last more than a few days. However, if you keep on feeling light sensitive after cataract surgery for a longer period – that is, weeks or even months, don’t spare that information from your operating doctor and your personal eye doctor. Do not ignore any long lasting symptoms, as the post-surgery adaptation period should not carry on for so long.
Glare problems after cataract surgery are relatively easy too. Patients would often report experiencing irregular brightness, but just like with light sensitivity, this phenomena usually lasts for a few days until your eyesight is back to the top of its game. Here, the same old principle applies – if you’re experiencing glare problems for an extended period, do not hesitate and contact your doctor without further due.
To conclude, being diagnosed with cataracts is really not all that bad. Knowing what causes that drastic eyesight impairment and understanding it is capable of being easily fixed is surely a relaxing thing that you just needed to hear.