How Can Cataract Surgery Help You?

Cataracts are a condition that virtually all of us will be diagnosed with as we age. For most, it’s a naturally occurring condition that causes the vision to deteriorate over many years (even decades).

However, it’s also important to note that there are rare occasions where cataracts can form earlier in life, such as genetic (pediatric) cataracts that are diagnosed at birth or those caused by trauma to the eye.

Whatever the reasons for your cataracts, at some point you’re going to require an operation. The following discusses how this can dramatically improve your failing eyesight, plus the consequences of not having the procedure done.

Cataract Surgery 101

A quick overview of what cataracts are
All about cataract surgery
How cataract surgery can help you and the dangers of not having it

A quick overview of what cataracts are

Cataracts are formed by proteins within the eye clumping together on the lens. Our vision is afforded by the clear passage of light through the lens and hitting the retina (an ultra-thin layer of light-absorbing cells) at the back. From here, these signals are transported to the brain via the optic nerve and translated into what we see.

Anything that obstructs this light flow causes problems with vision.

While the buildup of these proteins on the lens is very slow—it takes many, many years—as it worsens it causes the following:

Blurred vision
Double vision
Yellowing and fading of colors
Causing you to see a halo around light sources
Difficulty seeing in low light
Issues with nighttime driving

All about cataract surgery

A surgical cataract procedure involves removing the protein-covered lens and replacing it with an artificial one. This is known as an intraocular lens (IOL) and there are many types of these, such as:

Monofocal: Allows you to focus on a single distance (near or far) and wear glasses to compensate for the other.
Bifocal/varifocal: These work in the same way as eyeglasses do, allowing the eye to naturally focus on different distances.
Toric lenses: These correct astigmatism and can be created in conjunction with both of the above
Accommodative lenses: These work with eye muscle movements to change shape inside the eye, much as the natural lens used to.

IOLs are constantly advancing, and this is just a general overview of what’s available.

How cataract surgery can help you and the dangers of not having it

Cataract surgery is definitive treatment and removing the diseased lens will dramatically improve your eyesight. After recovery—which typically takes around 8 weeks—your vision will be much sharper, less blurred, colors will be brighter, you’ll have fewer issues driving at night, reading will be easier…

The biggest danger of not having cataracts treated is that, if allowed to progress, they’ll cause total loss of sight. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness across the world—especially in developing areas where access to healthcare is poor.

A cataract operation is, therefore, vital if you’ve been diagnosed. The improvement in your quality of life will be tremendous. Plus, the operation has a virtually 100% success rate, meaning you can confidently undergo treatment.