Cataract is a common age-related eye disorder that can particularly affect your vision. It can cause cloudiness on the lens by breaking the proteins of your natural lens and making them cloudy, which affects your vision by making things blurry, foggy, unclear, and less colorful. Cataract surgery is a safe and highly effective procedure for restoring your vision. It is the process of removing or replacing an eye lens with an artificial lens. In this blog, we will explore what to expect with cataract surgery:

• Pre-operative preparations for surgery (before surgery)
• Procedure of cataract surgery (day of surgery)
• Post-operative care for cataract surgery (after surgery)

Pre-Operative Preparation

For the best results from your cataract surgery, you will be required to go through several essential steps, including:

• Consultation with the best eye specialist or ophthalmologist for evaluating the severity of the cataract and discussing your medical history can assist you in choosing the type of intraocular lens (IOL) that will be implanted during surgery.
• You will undergo a comprehensive eye test or examination to determine the size and curvature of your eye.
• Your ophthalmologist will review your current medication to ensure there are no interactions that can affect the surgery
• Then, you will be prescribed eye drop medicine to start before surgery, which can reduce swelling during and after surgery and also prevent infection.

The Procedure of Cataract Surgery

You may be asked by your ophthalmologist not to eat any solid food before 6 to 8 hours of your surgery. This surgery can be done in an outpatient surgery center for the eye or an eye hospital.

What Will Happen During Surgery?

• At first, your eye will be numbed by giving anesthesia with an eye drop or injection around your eye.
• You can see movement and light during the procedure, and you will be awake during surgery.
• Your ophthalmologist looks into your eyes with a special microscope and generates a little cut near the edge of your cornea by using a laser or blade. An eye specialist or surgeon uses these small incisions to reach your eye lens.
• By using very small instruments or equipment, they will break the cataract lens, remove it, and place a new lens.
• Generally, your eye specialist will not stitch these small incisions because these are self-sealing cuts that will be closed by themselves with time.
• To protect your eye during your healing process from surgery, a shield will be placed over your eye.
• Then, rest in a recovery area for half an hour and you will be discharged from the hospital.

Post-Operative Care

After surgery, you will need to follow vital steps which will be given by your eye specialist for a smooth recovery

• You will need to use the prescribed eye drops by following the directions of your eye care specialist.
• Keep away from getting soap and water directly into your eyes.
• Avoid rubbing and pressing your eye, and wear eyeglasses to protect your eye.
• When you sleep, wear a protective eye shield.
• Attend your scheduled appointments with your ophthalmologist to monitor your progress and address any concerns.
• Avoid heavy lifting and bending for the first few days. Your ophthalmologist will talk with you about how active you can be after surgery.

Lastly

Cataract surgery is a well-established and highly effective procedure that helps countless individuals regain or restore their vision with the proper pre-operative preparation, a smooth procedure, and attentive post-operative surgery. if you suspect you have cataracts, don’t hesitate to consult with the best eye care specialist or ophthalmologist to discuss options and start your journey towards improved vision.

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Written and Verified by:

DR PRATIK GAJANAN KUNDE

DR PRATIK GAJANAN KUNDE MBBS, DNB, FAEH (Cornea), FICO

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