What are cataracts?
Cataracts develop when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. As the lens gets more opaque over time, your vision declines too. With a cataract, your eye struggles to focus light. The amount of vision change or loss you experience depends on the size of the cataract and its location.
Some risk factors for cataracts are:
- Steroid use
- Diabetes
- Eye surgery
- Eye injuries
- Radiation treatments
- Not protecting your eyes from the sun
Cataracts are especially common in older individuals. In fact, around half of people have experienced them by age 80. They happen because the proteins in the lens of your eye break down and clump together.
What is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that removes your eye’s lens. At Foothill Eye Institute, the team removes the lens and replaces it with an artificial one.
During a consultation ahead of the surgery, they tell you about your lens options. Some lenses are single-focus, meaning you’ll still need to wear glasses in some cases. Other options are multifocal and let you see at many different distances.
With one common cataract surgery technique, the team breaks apart the existing lens using ultrasound energy. With another, they remove it in a single piece.
After surgery, your vision is still a little blurry. However, it should get clearer within a few days. You need to protect your eyes with shields or eyepatches for a few days as you recover to get the best possible results from cataract surgery.
How should I prepare for cataract surgery?
When you come in for your cataract surgery consultation at Foothill Eye Institute, the team makes sure you fully understand your diagnosis and what you need to do to prepare for a successful surgery. They also fill you in on the recovery process and how you can prepare for it.
Before your surgery, you must:
- Avoid eating and drinking for 12 hours
- Temporarily stop taking certain medications
- Use antibiotic eye drops according to their prescription
- Arrange a ride home from your surgery
- Take a few days to a week off work
Since you’ll have to limit activities like bending and lifting while you recover from cataract surgery, the team recommends preparing your home ahead of time or finding someone to stay with you and assist around the house as you recover.
To schedule a visit and learn more about cataract surgery, call Foothill Eye Institute or reserve an appointment online today.
