Worldwide, cataracts are among the leading vision issues that cause blindness. They are the main cause of temporary blindness. The condition causes cloudy vision, leaving you with cataract surgery as the only treatment option. 

Fortunately, cataract surgery is very safe. Still, note that it is necessary only when your quality of vision is altered in some way that affects your lifestyle.

When Do You Know You Need Surgery for Your Cataracts? 

Before an eye doctor decides that you need surgery for your cataracts, they must perform a comprehensive eye exam. In the eye exam, they will assess the development of cataracts and consider the severity of your symptoms. Here are some of the common indications that the surgery is right for you:

• Low vision quality when walking or driving puts you at a higher risk of accidents or falls

• Foggy vision that obstructs regular daily routines

• If you see halos around lights from streetlights or oncoming traffic, making driving difficult or dangerous

• If you struggle to drive at night because the lights seem too bright

• If you have trouble reading or need brighter lights to see clearly

How Long Does Cataract Surgery Take?

The surgery is an outpatient procedure that your eye doctor can perform at their surgical center. The whole procedure is complex but relatively short, taking less than 15 minutes to complete. However, you must set aside time to allow the eye doctor to prepare and for you to recover from the procedure, meaning you are at the center for about two hours.

What Are the Different Types of Surgery?

There are two main types of surgery to correct cataracts, but both have the same end goal: to replace the natural eye’s lens. 

Phacoemulsification

Also known as small-incision cataract surgery. The eye doctor creates a small incision in the eye close to the outer corner and then inserts probes. These probes produce ultra soundwaves that break up and dissolve the hard part of the lens and use suction to remove the broken-up lens. This is painless under topical anesthesia.

Laser Assisted Phacoemulsification

This treatment utilizes the CATALYS Femtosecond Laser to break up the lens and make perfect incisions into the structure of the eye, helping to provide safer and more accurate cataract surgery. This is followed by the above phacoemulsification and adds about 5 minutes to the surgical time.

The Artificial Lens

The artificial lenses that doctors put in the eye to replace clouded ones are called intraocular lenses. They come in different forms, types, and features and are custom-made. They are typically made of acrylic or silicone.
 

Monofocal IOLs

Featuring one focal distance, monofocal IOLs are the most common choice for many people. They are not premium lenses, making them readily covered by insurance—which is why people often go for them. They are either close-up, medium-range, or distance-vision lenses, the latter being the most popular. 

Multifocal IOLs

These versatile artificial lenses provide both distance and close-up vision simultaneously. They are categorized as premium lenses, so you will pay out-of-pocket to get one, but they allow you great freedom from your eyeglasses.

For more on whether cataract surgery is right for you, visit Eastside Eye Physicians at our office in Shelby Township or St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Call (586) 247-2020 or (586) 774-2020 to book an appointment today.