A cataract is the term given to the condition in which the eye's lens becomes clouded, resulting in blurry vision. It is most commonly related to advancing age and can occur in one eye or both. In its early stages, new glasses may help, but ultimately the only permanent treatment option is an operation. If considering cataract surgery Orange County patients should first ensure that they know all it entails.
The surgical treatment of cataracts involves removing the damaged lens and putting an artificial one its place. This is generally indicated when the patient's daily visual ability is being hindered and it is impairing his or her activities such as driving and reading. It is not necessary to hurry into this procedure, the patient can take his or her time to decide if it's the right decision.
In some instances removal will be recommended because it may possibly prevent the proper treatment of another eye disorder such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration. Regular eye exams should reveal whether or not surgery is the best course of action. When both eyes need to be operated on, this is usually done a month or two apart.
There are different methods of performing this operation but the most common one used is referred to as "phacoemulsification". An incision is made in the side of the cornea and the damaged lens is removed by suction. The artificial lens replacing the natural one is manufactured out of clear plastic. In about 90% of patients this procedure is a success.
A week or two before the patient is scheduled for surgery, certain tests will need to be done to measure the curve of the patient's cornea and the shape and size of the eye, so the best artificial lens can be chosen. Patients will normally be advised not to eat or drink anything in the twelve hours before the operation.
This procedure can be performed as an out-patient surgery either in a hospital or eye clinic and it is most often carried out while the patient is awake and only a local anesthetic is needed to numb the nerves of the eye, occasionally a general anesthetic is used, but since it is a relatively short and painless treatment this is normally not required. It takes about an hour to complete.
Immediately after the surgery, the treated eye will have a patch placed on it and the patient will be told to rest. Once it has been determined that there are no complications, patients can go home as long as they have someone to drive them. Some itchiness, slight discomfort, or liquid discharge may be present for one or two days at most.
Eyedrops will need to be administered for several days to promote healing and prevent infection and the eye should be protected with glasses or an eye patch. Light, moderate activity may be resumed and in eight weeks following cataract surgery Orange County patients should expect a full recovery. The healing process will be monitored by routine check-ups throughout this period.
The surgical treatment of cataracts involves removing the damaged lens and putting an artificial one its place. This is generally indicated when the patient's daily visual ability is being hindered and it is impairing his or her activities such as driving and reading. It is not necessary to hurry into this procedure, the patient can take his or her time to decide if it's the right decision.
In some instances removal will be recommended because it may possibly prevent the proper treatment of another eye disorder such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration. Regular eye exams should reveal whether or not surgery is the best course of action. When both eyes need to be operated on, this is usually done a month or two apart.
There are different methods of performing this operation but the most common one used is referred to as "phacoemulsification". An incision is made in the side of the cornea and the damaged lens is removed by suction. The artificial lens replacing the natural one is manufactured out of clear plastic. In about 90% of patients this procedure is a success.
A week or two before the patient is scheduled for surgery, certain tests will need to be done to measure the curve of the patient's cornea and the shape and size of the eye, so the best artificial lens can be chosen. Patients will normally be advised not to eat or drink anything in the twelve hours before the operation.
This procedure can be performed as an out-patient surgery either in a hospital or eye clinic and it is most often carried out while the patient is awake and only a local anesthetic is needed to numb the nerves of the eye, occasionally a general anesthetic is used, but since it is a relatively short and painless treatment this is normally not required. It takes about an hour to complete.
Immediately after the surgery, the treated eye will have a patch placed on it and the patient will be told to rest. Once it has been determined that there are no complications, patients can go home as long as they have someone to drive them. Some itchiness, slight discomfort, or liquid discharge may be present for one or two days at most.
Eyedrops will need to be administered for several days to promote healing and prevent infection and the eye should be protected with glasses or an eye patch. Light, moderate activity may be resumed and in eight weeks following cataract surgery Orange County patients should expect a full recovery. The healing process will be monitored by routine check-ups throughout this period.
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