After Cataract Surgery
After cataract surgery, ninety five percent of healthy individuals will be able to see twenty forty uncorrected. Seeing at that legal eyesight is good enough to drive an automobile. Given the high success rate makes this surgery an acceptable treatment for most of the patients who suffer with cataracts. Less than two percent of the seventeen thousand people that where in the study suffered from a serious eye sight problem. Surgery for cataract involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an permanent implant lens to restore the vision. Medicare and most insurance plans will cover this type of surgery.
Most surgery for cataract is done on an outpatient basis. You should not wear eye makeup or have anything to eat or drink within ten hours of surgery. Once you get to the surgical center, eye drops that will dilate the pupil are placed in the affected eye. A sedative is offered to the patients that are nervous and need to relax before the surgery can begin. Additionally, a local anesthetic will be given to avoid any pain associated with the surgery. The surgeon will remove the cloudy natural lens with ultra sound and sonic waves break up the cataract while it is being removed. A permanent implant lens is placed in the eye. The lenses are made of plastic or silicone and have a power associated with them much like the lenses in your glasses. After surgery is complete you will spend minimal time in the outpatient recovery center and then the recovery from cataract after surgery begins. Take it easy when moving about and going home. Have someone drive you.
It is important to follow your doctor’s instructions while you recover after cataract surgery. In addition to the instructions for your specific eye care needs, do not lift anything over twenty five pounds or do strenuous work, no bending or exercise that could strain your eye and no water in your eyes. Recovery after cataract eye surgery will require you to wear an eye shield or goggles while you sleep for about a week. Sunglasses should be worn in bright lights and sunlight. All of this is for a short time period. Typical cataract after surgery recovery is two weeks.
Any type of surgery is frightening but not being able to see would be more frightening and life changing. But cataract eye surgery is low risk, recovery after cataract surgery is easy, minimal discomfort and the end result is life changing and appears to be well work the risk. As long as you follow doctors orders and stay away from light, and straining your eyes, then you should recovery perfectly with no risk. Do your research and get a referral for a surgeon from somebody you trust. The internet provides a wealth of information about the before, during, and after of surgery. There are message boards with testimonials about after cataract surgery as well.