Clinician-led patient-education video explaining cataract formation and laser-assisted cataract surgery (femtosecond laser + phacoemulsification). Describes anesthesia (topical or injection), laser steps (corneal openings, lens softening), removal of the cloudy lens fragments, and implantation of a permanent monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) typically set for a single distance (usually distance vision). Discusses options to address astigmatism during surgery (limbal/AK incisions, toric IOL, other procedures) and lists common and serious risks (infection, bleeding, corneal/retinal swelling, retinal detachment, retained lens fragments, increased intraocular pressure, ptosis, double/ghost images, halos, IOL displacement). Advises patients to ask their ophthalmologist questions and notes cataract surgery is the only way to remove cataracts.
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Cataract surgery is a very common procedure. This is when your eye surgeon removes the cloudy natural lens from your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens. Normally, the eye's lens is clear, allowing light rays to pass through and focus as they should on the retina. As a cataract forms, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. As light passes through this cloudy lens, it cannot focus clearly on the retina and objects look hazy or blurred. Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure so you can go home afterwards. Your eyes will be numbed with either eye drops or an injection of medicine so that you don't feel any pain. During laser assisted cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will use a laser instrument guided by a computer. The laser is used to make small openings in the side of your cornea. It is also used to soften the cloudy lens's hard cataract tissue. Then your eye surgeon will insert a pen shaped instrument through the opening to reach the lens. This instrument uses a special type of energy to break up the center of the cloudy lens. Then it will carefully suction out the lens pieces. Your surgeon will then insert an artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or iol. This IOL will stay in your eye permanently. The new lens lets light pass through and focus properly on the retina, bringing back clear vision. Once the IOL is in place, your ophthalmologist will close the incision either with or without stitches. After surgery, a plastic shield may be placed over your eye to protect it. The lens you will have put in your eye is called a monofocal lens. This type of lens is designed to give you clear vision at one general distance. Many people choose to have their monofocal lens set for clear distance vision. This usually allows you to do things like drive or play golf without needing glasses or contacts. Keep in mind that with a monofocal lens set for distance vision, you will likely need to wear glasses for reading or close work. And you still might need glasses for some distance focused activities too. People who have astigmatism have an eye that is not round like a baseball, but more oval shaped like a football. If you have blurry vision from astigmatism, cataract surgery itself does not correct this. However, your eye surgeon might suggest doing another procedure during your cataract surgery to help correct the astigmatism. With a procedure called ak, your ophthalmologist might use a laser to make tiny cuts along the edge of the cornea. These incisions flatten the curve of the cornea. This helps correct the blurry vision of astigmatism. There are other options for correcting astigmatism, including a type of lens implant called a toric lens, as well as other types of surgery. Of course, you could always choose to wear glasses after cataract surgery. Your ophthalmologist will explain if this procedure is an option for you. As with any surgery, there are possible risks with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery risks may include infection in the eye, bleeding in the eye, swelling of the cornea, swelling of the retina, retinal detachment where the retina lifts up from the eye wall. People who are very nearsighted are more at risk for this Pieces of the cloudy lens left inside the eye increased pressure in the eye drooping eyelid Seeing double Losing some or all of your vision and needing to have more surgery. The monofocal IOL may cause some side effects or problems. Experiencing more glare, seeing halos or rings around lights at night, seeing double or ghost images, seeing a black crescent shape in your side vision and having the lens move out of position or need to be replaced. The only way to remove a cataract is with surgery. You do not have to have a cataract removed. However, without surgery, your vision will probably continue to get worse each year. Millions of people find that cataract surgery improves their vision and their quality of life. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, ask your ophthalmologist. He or she will be happy to help you understand what to expect from cataract surgery. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about your eyes or your vision in general, don't hesitate to bring them up. Your ophthalmologist is committed to protecting your site.
