Having Cataract Surgery - What Happens Next?

As our eyes age a condition called cataracts can occur which clouds the lenses in our eyes which are the part behind the colored part of the eye

. Even though this is a natural occurrence in some people, cataracts are fairly easily treated which makes the condition different from other degenerative eye diseases. For most people cataracts may never progress to the point treatment is needed but if they do, cataract surgery is usually very effective.

Cataract surgery used to be tricky and required a hospital stay but today, it's a 20 to 30 minute outpatient procedure. The surgeon will remove the cataract and implant a corrective lens in the process. After the surgery, the patient simply goes home and begins to recover. Many times, both eyes are affected with cataracts however both eyes usually aren't done at the same time. This enables the patient to have surgery on one, go through the recovery process then have surgery on the other. While this extends the overall process, the patient can function fairly normally in the interim.

While cataract surgery rids the eyes of the cataracts and improves vision in that respect, during the implantation process, corrective lenses can be implanted that may alleviate the need for glasses or contact lenses. This will accomplish two tasks at the same time, first eliminating the cataracts and secondly eliminating the need for corrective contacts or glasses after the surgery. The best part of cataract surgery may well be that someone who has had to use corrective lenses all their lives may never have to use them again.

Recovering from eye surgery isn't a difficult process. After the surgery the patient will have to wear an eye patch for the first day or so which will be removed by the optometrist or ophthalmologist during the post-op checkup. Once the patch is removed, all that'll be left is to use the medicated eye drops that will be prescribed as instructed by the doctor, usually a steroid and antibiotic mixture that will be applied three to four times per day for two to three weeks.

Cataract surgery patients usually can see fairly well out of the affected eye within two to three days after surgery. This depends on the individual, how well they recover and if there are any complications, which are generally few as long as patients are conservative with any physical exertions, stays out of the sun and doesn't expose the eye to chemicals like those used in hot tubs or swimming pools, complete recovery can be expected within just a few weeks. After a month or so, recovery should be complete and the doctor will do a final check of the eye and will fit the patient with additional corrective lenses if needed. Surgery is an inconvenience more than anything and caring for the patient after surgery is more patience than anything.

by: Patty Morris

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