When the lens in the eye becomes clouded this is known as a cataract and it negatively affects vision by causing images to appear blurry. It may occur in both eyes or just one and is most often related to aging. Initially it can sometimes be improved by a new eyeglasses prescription, although in many cases surgery is the only real long-term solution. Before undergoing cataract surgery Orange County patients need to be aware of all it involves.
The surgical procedure consists of extracting the affected lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial one. If the patient is experiencing difficulty with daily visual activities like reading and driving, usually surgery will be recommended. Patients normally have time to decide if this is the best decision however, since waiting does not generally cause further deterioration.
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.
The patient will be treated on an out-patient basis at an eye clinic or hospital. A local anesthetic to numb the feeling in the eye is usually all that's needed but in some instances a general anesthesia may be given. The whole procedure takes about an hour and very little pain is involved.
Upon completion of the surgery, the eye is covered with a patch and the patient can rest for awhile. If the doctor is convinced that there are no complications, the patient can go home, but he or she will need someone there to drive. The eye will likely be tender and a bit itchy, possibly with some discharge for one or two days, but this should subside after this time.
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 procedure consists of extracting the affected lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial one. If the patient is experiencing difficulty with daily visual activities like reading and driving, usually surgery will be recommended. Patients normally have time to decide if this is the best decision however, since waiting does not generally cause further deterioration.
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.
The patient will be treated on an out-patient basis at an eye clinic or hospital. A local anesthetic to numb the feeling in the eye is usually all that's needed but in some instances a general anesthesia may be given. The whole procedure takes about an hour and very little pain is involved.
Upon completion of the surgery, the eye is covered with a patch and the patient can rest for awhile. If the doctor is convinced that there are no complications, the patient can go home, but he or she will need someone there to drive. The eye will likely be tender and a bit itchy, possibly with some discharge for one or two days, but this should subside after this time.
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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