Questions to ask Your Cataract Surgeon

How is cataract surgery performed?

Surgery to remove cataracts is done on an outpatient basis. Making a small incision in your cornea, your eye surgeon will remove your cloudy lens with the help of a microscopic instrument, about the size of a pen tip. Once your cloudy lens has been removed, an artificial lens will be placed. The incision required for cataract surgery is self-healing, and will not require sutures.

Is cataract surgery painful?

Cataract surgery is performed with the use of eye drop anesthetic. As such, there is no pain related to this procedure. If you are uncomfortable or anxious about your procedure, talk to your eye surgeon about options for reducing the stress that can be associated with any eye surgical procedure.

Can both eyes be done at the same time?

It is best to have each eye operated on at different times. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your eye doctor will most likely schedule your appointments two weeks apart. This time allows your eye to fully heal before your other eye is operated on.

Will cataract surgery improve my vision?

By removing your cloudy lens, your vision will become clearer. In addition, with advancements in intraocular lenses, it is possible that other refractive errors with your vision will be corrected. There is no way to determine if cataract surgery will improve your overall vision, but only through removing cataracts can vision disruptions associated with them be avoided.

Do cataracts have to be removed?

Cataracts need to be removed only if they interfere with your daily activities like reading, driving, or watching tv. The decision to remove a cataract is best left up to you and your ophthalmologist. Left in place, cataracts can cause serious vision disruptions, making early removal the optimal decision for most people.

If you have questions about cataract surgery, please contact an experienced ophthalmologist to schedule an initial consultation.