Cataract Surgery Specialist

What are cataracts?

A cataract happens when the lens of your eye, or the clear layer of tissue behind your iris and pupil, becomes cloudy. Cataracts can make your vision blurry or intensify the glares from lights. As you age, the proteins in your lenses begin to deteriorate, causing the lens to fog. 

While natural aging is the most common cause of cataracts, you might also develop them if you have certain medical conditions like diabetes, if you spend lots of time in the sun without protecting your eyes, or if you take certain medications like corticosteroids. 

You might see the clouding in your eye before your vision starts to decline due to cataracts. If you think you have a cataract, you should book an eye exam at Suburban Eye Clinic to find out if it requires any treatment or lifestyle changes, even if you don’t need surgery. 

Your provider might recommend cataract surgery if your cataract impedes your vision to the point that it gets in the way of your everyday activities or if your cataract makes it difficult for your provider to view and treat other eye problems. 

What is cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is an effective treatment for cataracts involving their complete removal from your eyes. During cataract surgery, a procedure that takes just less than an hour, your provider at Suburban Eye Clinic places drops in your eye to dilate your pupil. They also administer local anesthesia to numb your eye. They might also give you a sedative to help you relax. 

Once your eye is numb and prepared, your provider removes the lens with the cataract from your eye before replacing it with a crystal clear artificial lens. There are a couple of methods your provider might use to perform your cataract surgery:

Phacoemulsification

During phacoemulsification, your provider sticks a probe into your eye that delivers ultrasound waves to the cataract. The energy breaks the cataract apart, and the probe suctions out the pieces. 

Extracapsular cataract extraction

During extracapsular cataract extractions, your provider makes a large incision in your eye and removes the clouded lens. They leave the back capsule to provide a place for your artificial lens to sit. 

How should I prepare for cataract surgery?

About a week before your cataract surgery, you’ll attend an appointment at Suburban Eye Clinic. During this time, your provider measures your eye’s size and shape. They use the measurements to help you select the right type of lens for your replacement. Then, they give you instructions to follow as you prepare for your upcoming surgery. They might include:

• Avoiding food and drink for 12 hours before the surgery
• Stopping or adjusting certain medications
• Using antibiotic eye drops
• Arranging a ride home from surgery

You might need to limit certain activities after your surgery for about a week. If this affects your work, you should contact your workplace in advance to make arrangements accordingly. Your provider at Suburban Eye Clinic helps you understand exactly what to expect before, during, and after your surgery, so you know how to prepare. 

To find out if your cataract requires cataract surgery as treatment, call Suburban Eye Clinic, or book an appointment online today.