Post-Cataract Surgery Glasses: Do You Still Need Them?

Whether or not you’ll need to wear eyeglasses after having cataract surgery depends on multiple factors. From the quality of your pre-op vision to the choice of intraocular lens (IOL), it’s certainly not a simple case of yes, you’ll need glasses or no, you won’t. 

You also have some control over your potential post-cataract vision choices. This will be something that you and your cataract surgeon will discuss before the procedure is performed—so be sure to ask as many questions as you need to.

Will I Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery? Why Some Will & Why Some Won’t

• Pre-operative considerations for post-op vision
• A monofocal IOL usually requires glasses after cataract surgery
• Fitting a premium lens could mean a life free from glasse

Pre-operative considerations for post-op vision

One important aspect that your cataract surgeon considers when advising what you should expect after a cataract procedure is your current prescription. While a cataract removal will dramatically improve your vision, the extent of this will also depend on the quality of your natural vision.

Some considerations that your surgeon will discuss include:

• Your expectations: How keen are you for a glasses-free life? Are you extremely active? What sports and activities do you enjoy? Do you perform intricate close-up activities?
• Financing: Traditional cataract surgery and monofocal lenses are covered by insurance companies and Medicare. Premium lenses (those that potentially could mean a life without eyeglasses) can only be fitted during a more advanced kind of cataract operation, called laser-assisted cataract surgery. This procedure and the lenses cost more, and patients usually need to cover the extra themselves.
• The complexity of your operation: Not every patient is suitable for every type of IOL. Aspects that might impact what you can and can’t have include, co-existing medical conditions, significantly challenging internal eye structure, certain kinds of long-term medications, previous eye surgery, and more.

For those with astigmatism, you may be offered treatment for this at the same time as a cataract removal. This can be addressed in two ways:

1. Laser treatment. This effectively flattens the corneal curvature and has a good probability of reducing— or, in some cases—curing astigmatism entirely.
2. Fitting a special type of IOL: These are known as Toric lenses and offer an excellent chance of reducing or fixing the problem.

A monofocal IOL usually requires glasses after cataract surgery

For most people, a monofocal lens—the simplest type of IOL—means you’ll have good distance vision and wear eyeglasses for close-up work. This type is usually fitted during a traditional cataract surgical procedure.

Fitting a premium lens could mean a life free from glasses

Premium lenses come in many forms. They include those that:

• Provide clear vision at multiple distances, similar to bi- or trifocal eyeglasses.
• Those that work with the muscles of the eye to give focus at different distances.
• The already-mentioned Toric lenses that help fix astigmatism.
• Cutting-edge IOLs that can have the prescription altered while in the eye.

Your surgeon will discuss the different suitable premium lenses with you before a decision is made. In some cases, opting for one of these could potentially mean that you won’t need to wear glasses after cataract surgery.

Vision Correction After Cataract Surgery

• What are the best glasses for cataract patients?

What are the best glasses for cataract patients?

There are no one-type-suits-all glasses for cataract patients. Everyone’s vision is unique—and this continues to be true after cataract removal. While your surgeon will have a good idea of how your vision will be post-procedure, this will still need to be determined after your eye has fully healed.

Your prescription will be reassessed at around the 8-week mark post-surgery. If you do continue to need eyeglasses support, this is when you’ll be given a new prescription. 

Hoping to be Free from Glasses After Cataract Surgery? Speak to the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic Today

While not everyone might be the ideal candidate for a glasses-free life, the incredible advancements in both cataract surgical procedures and IOLs mean that many more people can now potentially achieve this happy scenario. Even those who might need to wear eyeglasses for (usually) near-vision activities may find that, thanks to surgical capabilities, such as treating astigmatism during cataract surgery, their prescription improves.

The Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic is one of the most advanced facilities in the country where patients can take full advantage of the latest cutting-edge cataract treatment.

Find out more at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com/ and call today to book a consultation.