Cataracts and Cataract Surgery - Frequently Asked Questions

Cataracts are a common cause of vision loss, especially in older adults. Fortunately, this common eye issue is easily treatable with cataract surgery. Many people with cataracts put off this procedure because they don't understand it. If your eye doctor has recommended cataract surgery, you probably have a lot of questions about it. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about this procedure.

When will I need cataract surgery?

Cataracts tend to start small, growing in size and opacity over time. Untreated cataracts cause the vision to deteriorate to the point of blindness. An elective procedure to treat cataracts, cataract surgery is usually performed once the cataracts have progressed until they interfere with vision and daily activities.

How does cataract surgery work?

Cataract surgery, which is the only way to remove cataracts, involves the replacement of the natural lens of the eye with a synthetic lens. Known as an intraocular lens (or IOL), this plastic or silicone implant will restore your vision to pre-cataract levels. Before the removal of the natural lens, it may be broken up using ultrasonic waves, which allow for easier removal. An outpatient procedure performed with local anesthetic, cataract surgery takes less than an hour.

How much will cataract surgery cost?

The costs for cataract surgery can vary greatly between doctors. Most health insurance plans and Medicare will cover the cataract surgery and a regular intraocular lens (artificial lens).

What is the recovery period like?

After your cataract removal surgery, antibiotic eye drops will be used several times per day, for up to two weeks. Over the next few weeks, your eye will recover gradually. During this time, it is important to avoid strenuous activities, especially those that would place excess pressure on the eye. If your cataract was yellow, the risk of complications may be increased, because this indicates that the cataract was harder or more developed.

To learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery as well as LASIK, custom LASIK, and corneal transplant surgery, it is important to visit a Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas laser eye surgery center.