What is the Procedure for Cataract Surgery?

The most common eye ailment of seniors is cataracts; in fact, most people will suffer from cataracts sometime during their life. Having a diagnosis of cataracts doesn't mean you have to deal with surgery right away. Some people's cataracts never progress far enough to need it done. The likelihood of your needing cataract surgery depends on the way it `affects your day to day life, from reading and driving to your career plans.

How do Cataracts Form?

Your eyes have crystal lenses on the eyeball through which light passes before it focuses on the optic nerve. This lens is made up of water and protein. Sometimes the protein liquifies and starts to clump together, obscuring your eyesight. It can cause you to see everything with a yellowish tinge, or make everything look as if it's behind a thick fog bank.

Your Kissimmee ophthalmologist may tell you that you have cataracts before you have any symptoms. Other than wearing sunglasses and staying out of bright sunlight, there's nothing you can do to stop the progression of cataracts. This can take months, years, or it may never happen at all.

Cataract Surgery in Florida

Once your cataracts have progressed far enough so that you can't easily read, drive, or do other daily tasks, it's time for cataract surgery. This is one of the most common surgical procedures done in this country, with hundreds of patients improving their eyesight every single day. You'll spend about half a day having the outpatient procedure, and recovery is usually complete within a week or two. You'll have one cataract removed at a time, with a usual two week wait before the next one is done.

You'll receive a series of eye drops that completely numb your eyeball and sterilize the area. Once your eyes are ready, a high frequency ultrasound device will break up the cloudy lens, and your doctor will remove the pieces through a small incision. A new artificial lens will replace the old one in the same location. After an hour or two of recovery, you'll be ready to have someone drive you home.

Contact Our Kissimmee Opthalmologist Today

For any questions you have about cataracts or surgery contact Eye Care Specialists of Florida at (407) 483-0328. We'll be happy to answer any questions you may have.