Has your eye doctor recommended cataract surgery? During your cataract evaluation, you will be given time to have your questions asked and answered by your cataract surgeon.
When your concerns are addressed, you’ll feel more relaxed and get the confidence to proceed with your cataract procedure. Keep reading to learn seven FAQs the best cataract surgeons in Boynton beach can answer!
1. What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will remove your natural cataract lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens to restore clear vision. Cataract surgery takes about ten to fifteen minutes to complete and is typically an outpatient procedure.
2. Are There Different Types of Cataract Surgery?
There are various kinds of cataract surgery that utilize different techniques. The method used will depend on several factors, such as the expertise of the cataract surgeon, your eye health, and the equipment used.
Your cataract surgeon can explain the differences and help you decide which is better for you.
3. Is Cataract Surgery Uncomfortable?
Your cataract surgeon will apply anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eye. The only thing you may experience is slight pressure around or on your eye briefly during surgery.
Also, there might be slight soreness and a gritty sensation as the medication wears off post-op. That minor discomfort can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication and artificial tears.
4. Which Intraocular Lens is Best for Me?
Once your cataract surgeon removes your cloudy, natural lens, one of the many available intraocular lenses, also known as an IOL, is implanted in its place. Your cataract surgeon will review your options and guide you in choosing an IOL that fits your vision needs, lifestyle, and budget.
Your options may include:
Monofocal IOL
These IOLs deliver excellent vision at only one distance: either near, mid-range, or far. For instance, most monofocal lens implants are set for distance vision.
This means that you will still need reading glasses for near vision activities, like reading. Unlike other IOLs, there are no out-of-pocket costs if you choose this lens.
That’s because most insurances pay for a monofocal lens plus cataract surgery.
Multifocal
A multifocal lens implant can expand your range of vision. It allows you to see at a distance, close up, and everywhere in between with reduced dependence on glasses or contacts.
Toric
If you have astigmatism and want to rely less on contact lenses or glasses after cataract surgery, you may choose to have a toric IOL. Toric lens implants are specially designed to correct astigmatism after cataract surgery while providing clear distance or near vision.
Astigmatism refers to the blurry or distorted vision caused by an irregularly shaped cornea. Your eye doctor will tell you if you would benefit from a toric IOL based on the amount of astigmatism you have.
Trifocal
These IOLs offer clear vision at all three ranges of vision – near, distance, and everything in between. With a trifocal lens implant, you won’t require glasses for almost all of your activities.
Accommodating IOL
An accommodating IOL is designed to mimic the movement of your natural lens. It works seamlessly with your eye muscles to deliver the quality of vision you had when you were younger.
That is made possible by the unique hinges which enable the IOL to move and focus on near, intermediate, and far away objects.
5. Will I Still Need Glasses or Contacts after Cataract Surgery?
The best surgeons can’t guarantee that you won’t need prescription lenses after your cataract procedure. Depending on the IOL you pick, you won’t rely on your glasses or contact lenses for most activities post-op.
However, it is possible that you might require them in certain situations, like reading the fine print on a medicine bottle or driving at night.
6. Is Cataract Surgery Safe
Cataract surgery is considered one of the safest eye procedures in the world. It has an extremely high success rate, but as with any surgery, there can be some risks.
The best way to avoid any post-operative complications is to follow the instructions given to you by your eye doctor. If you are prescribed eye drops, make sure to take them as directed.
During your follow-up appointment, your eye doctor will check if your eye is healing correctly and treat your side effects, if any. It’s important to remember that choosing an experienced cataract surgeon significantly minimizes your risk of complications.
7. What if I Decide Not to Have Cataract Surgery?
Your doctor will recommend cataract removal when cataracts start to interfere with routine activities like reading, cooking, and driving. Without treatment, your vision continues to worsen until you can no longer see.
Replacing your natural lens with an IOL usually restores your vision. If you wait until your cataracts are extremely advanced or hyper-mature, they can be harder to remove and has more significant risks of complications.
For this reason, it’s best to take your eye doctor’s recommendations seriously and consider cataract surgery when they suggest it.
Improve Your Vision with Cataract Surgery
Is cloudy vision from cataracts seriously getting in the way of your daily routine? The experienced cataract surgeons at Joshi Retina Institute can help.
They’ll determine if it’s the right time for cataract surgery and address all your questions and concerns.
Are you ready to experience clearer vision through cataract surgery? Schedule your cataract screening at Joshi Eye Institute in Boynton Beach, FL, today!
