If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you are not alone. It is estimated that by age 80, over half of all Americans will have their vision affected by this common eye condition.
Luckily, cataract surgery can restore your vision and give you the opportunity to correct common refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism, as well as presbyopia. Before the procedure, you’ll undergo a consultation with your eye doctor and have the chance to ask questions that can help you understand the procedure, recovery, and potential visual outcomes.
Keep reading to learn more about 4 questions to ask your doctor before getting cataract surgery.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when proteins on the natural lens of the eye break off and clump together as you age, covering the naturally clear lens. As more and more clumps cover the lens, light is blocked from getting through, impairing vision.
One of the most well-known symptoms of cataracts is clouded vision, but it can cause other issues as well, like difficulty seeing in low light, halos and glare, changes in color perception, and double vision. The only effective treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery.
What is Cataract Surgery?
During the procedure, your cataract surgeon will create a small incision in your eye and remove the cataract-affected natural lens. They will replace it with an intraocular lens or IOL.
Once in place, the IOL prevents cataracts from returning and, depending on the lens you choose, can provide you with clearer vision than before developing cataracts. Before undergoing cataract surgery, you’ll attend a consultation with your cataract surgeon at Johnson Laser Eye to determine your candidacy for the procedure.
This will also give you the chance to ask important questions about the procedure, recovery, and IOL options, like:
1. Which IOL Should I Choose?
At your cataract surgery consultation, your eye doctor will help you choose between the different IOLs offered at Johnson Laser Eye:
Basic IOLs
A basic or monofocal IOL restores clear vision and can improve visual acuity at one distance for patients with nearsightedness or farsightedness. With a basic IOL, most people still need to wear glasses after cataract surgery for near and intermediate vision tasks, like reading a book or working on a computer.
Basic IOLs cannot correct astigmatism, so glasses will still be needed for clear vision in patients with astigmatism.
Multifocal IOLs
With innovations in IOL technology, advanced lenses are now available for cataract surgery. Multifocal IOLs allow you to see at multiple distances, reducing or completely eliminating the need for glasses or contacts.
Extended Depth-of-Focus IOLs
Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs function in much the same way as a progressive lens and allow for seamlessly clear vision at multiple distances. While some patients still need reading glasses for up-close tasks, EDOF lenses can significantly reduce the halos and glares commonly experienced with multifocal IOLs and provide excellent intermediate vision.
Astigmatism-Correcting IOLs
Astigmatism-correcting or toric IOLs are great for patients with astigmatism and offer the same visual benefits as monofocal lenses. Many multifocal and EDOF lenses also come in toric varieties.
There are three major factors to consider when choosing the IOL that best suits your lifestyle and vision needs: your vision goals, refractive errors, and your IOL budget. You should first consider your vision goals and what you want your new IOL to achieve.
Do you enjoy outdoor activities, like pickleball or fishing, and would like clear distance vision but don’t mind throwing on reading glasses to look at a menu? A basic IOL could be right for you.
Do you have an active lifestyle with lots of hobbies and want to transition between reading a good book and playing your favorite sports without visual aids? You may be a better candidate for a multifocal IOL.
Patients who spend a lot of time doing activities at intermediate distances, like working at a computer or gardening, are often great candidates for EDOF lenses. If you have astigmatism, you will need a toric lens to enjoy clear vision after cataract surgery.
Another factor to consider is your IOL budget. While Medicare covers basic IOLs and most commercial insurances, advanced toric, EDOF, and multifocal lenses are usually an out-of-pocket expense.
When considering your IOL budget, you should compare the ongoing costs of your corrective eyewear to the one-time cost of an advanced IOL. You may find that correcting your vision with an advanced IOL during cataract surgery could ultimately save you money in the long run.
2. Will I Need Cataract Surgery in Both Eyes?
Cataracts usually develop in both eyes, but sometimes, one eye may have more advanced cataracts. Cataract surgery is usually performed on one eye at a time, with a recommended waiting time of 2-6 weeks between surgeries.
How long you should wait depends on how fast and how well your eye is healing after surgery, whether the vision in the healing eye has stabilized, and if you have any complications that need to be addressed. The waiting time also allows your eye surgeon to assess changes to your vision with the new lens and to plan for any adjustments for the second surgery.
3. How Long Will the Recovery Period Last?
For most people, the recovery period after cataract surgery is about 4-6 weeks. While most people notice an improvement in the clarity of their vision within a few days, it usually takes longer for your vision to fully stabilize.
4. What Restrictions Will I Need to Follow After Cataract Surgery?
During your recovery period, it is essential to follow your cataract surgeon’s post-operative instructions and adhere to any restrictions they set to ensure your eye heals properly. Here are some of the typical restrictions you will be asked to follow as you recover from cataract surgery:
- Avoid strenuous activities, like heavy lifting, vigorous exercise, and bending over to prevent eye strain
- Do not rub or touch your eye, which could cause damage or irritation
- Keep the eye dry and clean, avoiding exposure to water for at least a week after surgery to prevent infection
- Protect your eyes by wearing an eye shield at night while you sleep and sunglasses when outdoors to block UV light
By asking the right questions at your cataract surgery consultation, you can go into your procedure confident about the outcome and excited about your clearer, cataract-free vision!
Do you want to learn more about cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Johnson Laser Eye in Wilmington, NC, today!
