When your optician or medical doctor informs you that you have the beginnings of the formation of a cataract, either in one eye or indeed both, it can sometimes come as a shock, especially if you currently have absolutely no issues with your sight.
So, for anyone who is currently waiting to book or else has their date for a cataract operation on one or both eyes, continue reading. Here is a simple guide to cataract surgery and how to prepare.
What Exactly is a Cataract?
Naturally, if you have already been diagnosed with cataracts, your medical doctor will have explained the situation and directed you as to the best course of action moving forward.
Essentially, a cataract is when the delicate lens of your eyeball develops cloudier patches in and around the surface. If left, this otherwise apparent disc becomes clouded and, therefore, can start to impede your vision.
The Causes of Cataracts
Fundamentally, the main cause of the development of cataracts is simply to the onset of age, with the vast majority of people who do have cataracts being over the age of fifty, as teenagers and young adults have newer andclearer, lenses.
Having a qualified and personable GP at hand will afford you the opportunity to confidentially discuss with a medical professional whether or not you do indeed have cataracts and, if so, the best move forward for you.
The four main signs and symptoms which may indicate the presence of cataracts in one or both eyes include the following:
- Brighter colors now appear slightly faded and duller
- Your eyesight seems mistier and can often be blurry
- Lights seem to be almost too bright to cope with or have halos of additional light
- It has become much harder to see properly in lower light
In addition to age-related cataracts, cataracts can also be caused by injuries to one or both eyes or the skin around the area, drinking too much alcohol over a long period of time,and also if a person is using steroids for a prolonged amount of time.
Whether or Not to Have Surgery
Ultimately, as with the vast majority of other medical conditions and diseases, the decision whether or not to have surgery lies entirely with you.
However, it would be worth pointing out that cataracts invariably worsen over time, so if you do decide, upon initial discovery of cataracts, to leave them alone, you may find yourself regretting this decision later on down the line.
When you have been diagnosed with cataracts, your eye doctor will conduct a thorough eyesight test, which will give you more indication of how severe they are and how they will worsen and progress. Additionally, you may have other personal reasons for deciding to have cataract surgery, perhaps due to the nature of your work or your private hobbies and extracurricular pursuits.
Preparing for Cataract Surgery
Once your cataract surgery is booked, you will be referred to a specialist who works solely in matters pertaining to the eye and vision and who conducts an even more detailed examination.
You will also have the opportunity to discuss important topics, such as the risks and, conversely, the numerous benefits of having cataract surgery and whether you will need to wear glasses either before or after the operation.
Additionally, your doctor will discuss with you your preference as regards to lenses and how long it will take before you are able to drive.
The risks of cataract surgery, even though in the vast majority of cases none of the following are an issue, are:
- Temporary vision loss
- A detached retina
- Blurry vision in one eye
Conversely, just some of the numerous benefits of choosing to have cataract surgery include, amongst a host of others, the following:
- A higher level of self-confidence
- Clearer vision
- The ability to differentiate between different shades of colors
- Be able to see everything in a clearer focus
What Happens After Surgery
In most cases, patients having undergone a cataract operation are able to return home on the same day but will need to wear a plastic shield and pad over their eye for the rest of the day and possibly the following day too.
After just a few hours of returning home, the feeling will begin to return to your eye, and you need to be patient as your vision will remain blurry until around three days later. It is entirely normal for your eye to water more often than usual, for you to have double vision or blurred vision, and for your eye to be red and bloodshot for the first few days after cataract surgery.
Generally, you can expect a full and complete recovery and to experience the benefits of the operation around four to six weeks after the operation.
