Cataract Surgery
As we grow older, our bodies go through a number of natural changes. With the aging eye, these changes can lead to conditions that impact the quality of your vision. The most common age-related vision disorder is the development of cataractsCataract: A "clouding" of the lens in your eye. As light passes through the cataractous lens, it is diffused or scattered, resulting in blurred or defocused vision., a condition that gradually robs you of your eyesight. But, if you’ve been diagnosed with cataracts, don't lose hope – with successful treatment, it may be possible to regain clearer, brighter and sharper vision than you've had in years!
What is a Cataract?
Contrary to popular belief, a cataract is not a type of “film” that forms over the surface of the eye. In reality, a cataract is a change in the clarity of the lens inside your eye, a gradual clouding that can make your vision less sharp over time.
How Cataracts Affect Vision
Healthy Eye
Light enters the eye through the corneaCornea: The clear protective surface of the eye., passes through the natural crystalline lensCrystalline lens: The transparent disc behind the pupil that helps bring light rays to a focus on the retina. and is accurately focused onto the retinaRetina: The transmitter located at the back of your eye that sends the images to your brain., creating a crisp, clear image.
Cataract-Affected Eye
As the eye ages, the lens becomes cloudier, allowing less light to pass through. The light that does make it to the retina is diffused or scattered, leaving vision defocused and blurry.
Cataracts generally develop slowly and painlessly. In fact, you may not even realize that your vision is changing. Still, cataracts can progress until you eventually experience a complete loss of vision, and neither diet nor laser treatment will make a cataract go away. The only truly effective treatment for cataracts is to remove the clouded lens altogether.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective surgical procedures – it’s also one of the most successful1. The idea of surgery may seem a little scary at first, but once you understand the process, and the life-changing, sight-restoring benefits it can offer, you'll likely wish you'd had the procedure even sooner!
Getting Ready for Cataract Surgery
Once you’ve decided to have cataract surgery, your doctor will work with you to help choose the intraocular lens, or IOLIntraocular lens (IOL): An artificial lens that is implanted in the eye during cataract surgery to replace the eye's clouded crystalline lens., that will be placed in your eye during the procedure.
There are two basic types of IOLs, each designed to correct vision at a specific visual range. MonofocalMonofocal IOL: An intraocular lens that provides patients with only one focal point. Typically, these lenses only correct distance vision. lenses only correct vision at one portion of your visual range (typically vision at a distance), while multifocalMultifocal IOL: An intraocular lens that provides patients with multiple focal points, correcting vision at a range of distances. lenses are designed to correct a full range of vision – near, far and everywhere in-between.
Your doctor will work with you to decide which IOL is best suited for your unique visual needs. For instance, you may be a candidate for the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL, an advanced type of multifocal IOL that can offer you the chance for complete freedom from glasses. Ask your doctor if the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL is right for you.
Understanding The Procedure
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that typically takes only 20 to 30 minutes. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
- You’ll first receive a number of medicated eye drops, to prevent infection and inflammation, and to ensure you feel no pain during the surgery. You won’t be put to sleep for the procedure, but you’ll likely receive a mild sedative, to make sure you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout.
- After making a tiny incision in your cornea, your surgeon will use a probe the size of a pen tip to break apart and remove the old lens. The most common technique for removing cataracts is a state-of-the-art process called phacoemulsificationPhacoemulsification: Also called "phaco," this cataract surgery procedure involves using a device with a vibrating, ultrasonic tip to gently break up cataracts and remove them from the eye., in which high-frequency sound waves are used to break the lens into removable pieces.
- Once the old lens has been removed, the surgeon will insert the replacement IOL into your eye. Typically, the IOL is rolled up into the tip of an injector tool, so that it can be inserted through the same tiny incision. Once injected, the IOL unfolds perfectly into place.
- Because of the small surgical incision, you probably won’t require stitches – your eye should heal itself naturally. You’ll likely, however, have a protective patch placed over your eye for recovery.
And that’s it! All you’ll have to do after surgery is rest up, and get ready to enjoy the benefits of improved vision – often even better than before the cataract developed! And, if you choose the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL, not only will you gain a full range of vision, but you may also experience complete freedom from glasses after surgery!
1. Facts About Cataracts. National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. June 2004.
Glossary Terms
Roll over the bold purple text to view the definition. A full listing of terms is available in the glossary.