Cataract Surgery -- Keeping Your Vision Clear

The need for cataract surgery is a very common occasion amongst older individuals. There are three million Americans who undergo this procedure every year.

As a person ages it is inevitable and somewhat predictable that physical changes will occur, some common ones being the onset of osteoporosis and high blood pressure in addition to the possible development of a cataract in one or both eyes. When the lens of the eye takes on a visibly cloudy cast to it and daily tasks becomes difficult to complete without assistance, an appointment should be made with an ophthalmologist who will likely discuss cataract surgery with the patient.

Reading a book, watching television or a movie, cooking or baking, reading a label while shopping or even the simple act of walking up a flight of stairs can become a challenge when a person's vision becomes blurry. There have been instances of a patient scheduling an appointment with their doctor after having mixed up their medication or having experienced a car accident due to the cloudy effect caused by a cataract. Their doctor may recommend cataract surgery as a solution toward regaining their independence.

Cataract surgery is a common procedure done in the doctor's office with local anesthesia. This surgery boasts a 90 percent success rate and takes less than one hour to complete. The patient's pupil is dilated, the cataract is skillfully removed and an intraocular lens (IOL), or artificial lens is put in place; this new lens will be permanent. After the procedure is complete, the patient is fitted with an eye patch they will wear for a few hours to protect their eye from infection as well as the effects of light sensitivity. There are additional precautions to be taken, such as avoiding bending down / keeping the head upright to avoid pressure on the eye, but the doctor will go over these restrictions with the patient prior to the surgery. And arrangements will need to be made for transportation home after the operation.

Even though a cataract is not harmful to the eye, it can cause trouble for the person in relation to the ability to function normally. Driving, jogging, navigating around the yard - all of these common daily tasks can become all but impossible due to the cloudy effect created by the cataract. Another reason to have the cataract surgery is the fact that a person who may suffer from diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration, the cataracts make it difficult for the back of the eye to be examined and reveal any signs of additional medical issues relating to their condition.

With cataract surgery proving to be such a successful cure for a common eye problem, and most insurance providers allowing coverage for part, or all, of this surgery, it would seem inconceivable that a person would choose to suffer with the effects of the condition. Why lose the ability to remain independent and give up the freedom that comes with the ability to drive?

The fear and frustration associated with the inability to see clearly does not need to be endured, nor does a person need to adapt to this physical limitation. The right surgeon, skilled in removing cataracts, will be able to restore clear vision in less than one hour.

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