Cataracts are a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eyes. Seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window for people with cataracts. The blurriness from cataracts can make it dicult to read, drive (especially at nighttime), or see the expression on a friend’s face.
Most cataracts develop slowly in both eyes and will not disturb your eyesight early on, but with time cataracts will eventually interfere with your vision.
At first, stronger or brighter lighting and eyeglasses can help you see better. However, if your vision is interfering with your usual activities and quality of life, you might need cataract surgery.
Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts
● Blurry, foggy, or dim vision
● Increased diculty driving at night due to glare from headlights
● Diculty reading, doing needlework, or any activities that
require good near vision, or requires more light
● Colors are not vivid or vibrant–almost like a yellow-ish faded
color
● Contacts or glasses do not improve your vision
When cataracts first develop in the eye, a person may not notice any vision loss. As the cataracts progress, the above symptoms will be more noticeable. At this point, you have seen your eye doctor who referred you to us for your consultation! 🙂
*Please let us know if you take any medication or have taken medication for urinary tract problems or prostate issues (Flomax/tamsulosin)*
Factors That Increase the Risk of Cataracts
- Age
- Diabetes
- Excessive exposure to sunlight
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure
- Previous trauma to the eye (injury or inflammation)
- Previous eye surgery
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications
- Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
Risks of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery has a success rate of 99%. While complications can occur, they are relatively rare when performed by an experienced surgeon. One thing to note is that pre-existing eye conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy can impact the outcome of your surgery. You also must follow the postoperative treatment regimen very closely as this will significantly reduce the risk of infection.
● According to the National Institutes of Health, the chances of infection after cataract surgery are 0.13%-0.7%
○ If infection occurs it can lead to decreased vision, long-term complications, and/or blindness
● Swelling/Inflammation
● Bleeding
○ Bleeding from behind the eye may occur, according to the International Journal of Retina and Vitreous this occurs in
0.03-0.1% of cases, this can lead to severe decreased vision and/or blindness
○ After surgery, a bloodshot eye is normal as long as it doesn’t cause symptoms like eye pain, severe decreased vision, or severe light sensitivity.
● According to the American Optometric Association, 20-50% of patients will need additional surgery after cataract surgery, for Posterior Capsular Opacification (PCO) or what we call a “secondary cataract”. This is corrected with a YAG laser capsulotomy.
Types of Lenses
● Monofocal Distance (standard distance lens)
○ With this lens, you will have clear distance vision (TV, road signs, etc) but you will need reading glasses for near vision (reading, sewing, etc)
○ A patient with astigmatism who does not get a toric lens will need full-time glasses (for distance, intermediate, and near vision) to correct the astigmatism.
● Multifocal Lens
○ This lens will give you all fields of vision (near, intermediate, distance), you will be able to see clearly at a distance and up close for reading, and will likely minimize the need for reading glasses
● Astigmatism correction lenses (Toric)
○ Standard toric–This is similar to the monofocal distance lens, it just corrects the astigmatism and you will need glasses for reading
○ Multifocal toric-This lens will correct astigmatism and give all three fields of vision (near, intermediate, distance)
○ Toric lenses reduce the need for glasses to correct astigmatism after cataract surgery
RESTRICTIONS
You must follow these restrictions for around 4-6 weeks on average (this time frame includes both eyes)
● NO BENDING OVER!! You can bend over for short periods of time, like to tie your shoe or pick something up o the floor.
● NO HEAVY LIFTING!!! You should not be lifting more than 20-30 pounds after surgery
● NO WORKING IN A DIRTY OR DUSTY ENVIRONMENT!!! You cannot do yard work, clean your house, no cleaning cat litter, etc
● NO EYE MAKEUP!!! You cannot wear mascara or eyeliner for 1 month for patients who wear makeup. You may wear foundation, blush, lipstick, and light eyeshadow.
● NO HOT TUBS, SWIMMING POOLS, OR BEACHES!!! If your surgery is done around the summer months, you cannot swim in a hot tub, swimming pool, or beach for 1 month
● You will need to be cautious after surgery and make sure not to engage in strenuous activity or physical activity as that increases risk of your lens shifting and decrease of clarity.
WHAT YOU CAN DO AFTER CATARACT SURGERY
● You may go back to driving after your day 1 post-op appointment with Dr. Hynes as long as you’re comfortable with your vision
● You may shower the day after your surgery, but ensure you shower from the neck down. You may wash your hair 3 days after surgery as long as you are making sure the water is going down and back away from your eyes or face.
● If you need to bend over to pick something up or put on your shoes that’s fine, however, anything longer than that is a big NO NO!