A cataract causes the transparent lens of your eye to become cloudy, and the culprit is nearly always age-related changes in the lens's proteins. Some four million Americans have cataract surgery annually, making it among the most common — and safest — types of surgery in the United States.
Dr. Randa Garrana of Advanced Lasik, with locations in the Midtown East section of New York City and Long Beach, California, has extensive experience performing cataract surgery. She encourages prospective patients to ask the following six questions beforehand.
Cataracts have no cure; they must be removed surgically to improve your vision. During the procedure, Dr. Garrana replaces the clouded lens with a clear artificial lens. The artificial lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL) implant and is designed to work like your natural lens, emitting light for sharp, crisp vision.
Before surgery, you will receive an anesthetic to numb your eye and ensure comfort throughout the procedure. Special eye drops dilate your pupils and prevent irritation.
When your eye is numb, Dr. Garrana makes a tiny incision, accessing the clouded lens and gently breaking it apart before removing it. Next, she inserts the IOL, positioning it behind your pupil and iris.
Usually, Dr. Garrana makes the incision with a special laser. The laser creates a precise incision that eliminates the need for sutures. The entire procedure takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you go home shortly afterward. You can go about most of your regular activities with few limitations. Most patients experience slight discomfort during recovery, but you will be prescribed eye drops to soothe your eye and prevent infection.
That depends partly on the type of lens implanted during your surgery. Most artificial lenses are monofocal, meaning they focus on one area. You’ll likely need glasses for near or distance vision with these lenses.
Multifocal lenses work similarly to bifocals, offering two different areas of focus — one for near objects and one for distance viewing. Adjusting to multifocals for other tasks takes a little practice, but many patients prefer them because they can eliminate the need for corrective lenses.
Dr. Garrana recommends foldable IOLs for most patients, because they require a smaller incision. However, she offers monofocal and multifocal IOLs, depending on your preferences and other factors. Your options and preferences are discussed in detail during your initial consultation.
Cataracts cause debilitating vision symptoms, such as:
Dr. Garrana helps you decide the best time for cataract surgery or if it’s possible to wait. If your cataracts are mild, you may be able to get by for a while using stronger lenses or brighter lights for some activities.
But cataracts don’t go away; in fact, you can expect them to worsen over time, causing progressively cloudier lenses and increasingly blocked light. The bottom line? The sooner you have surgery, the sooner you can restore sharp, healthy vision.
Don’t let cataracts dim your quality of life. State-of-the-art cataract surgery is safe, quick, and restores vision.
If you have cataracts or you’re experiencing changes in your vision, call Advanced Lasik today, or request an appointment online anytime. We have an office in the Midtown East area of New York City, and another in Long Beach, California.
