Frequently Asked Questions

Cataract surgery is the removal of the natural lens of your eye. The natural lens of your eye can become cloudy over time, and this is called a cataract. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).

Your doctor can tell if you have a cataract by doing a comprehensive eye exam. During the exam, your doctor will use a special magnifying lens to look at your eye’s lens and evaluate its clarity. If your doctor determines that you have a cataract, he or she may recommend surgery to remove it.

After having cataract surgery, a very small number of people experience complications. These can include:

• Infection
• Swelling
• Bleeding
• Retinal detachment

Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries performed today. More than 98% of people who have cataract surgery experience improved vision afterwards.

Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries performed today. More than 98% of people who have cataract surgery experience improved vision afterwards.

The actual surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes. However, you should plan to be at the surgical center for several hours because there are a number of steps involved before and after the procedure. These steps include:

• Checking in
• Pre-operative testing
• Surgery
• Recovery

Most people who have cataract surgery experience significantly improved vision afterwards. However, it may take several weeks or even months for your vision to fully recover. It is also common for people to experience some glare, halos around lights, or other visual disturbances following surgery. These side effects usually improve over time as your eye heals.

Cataract surgery is generally not painful. You will be given a sedative to help you relax, and your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops. Most people report that they feel very little discomfort during the procedure.

Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, but there are a few general things that you should do:

• Stop taking any medications that could increase bleeding
• Arrange for someone to drive you home after the surgery
• Plan to take it easy for the first few days after surgery

On the day of your surgery, you will need to arrive at the surgical center a few hours before your procedure is scheduled. You will be given a sedative to help you relax, and your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops. Once you are ready, the surgeon will make a small incision in your eye and use special instruments to remove the cloudy lens. The new artificial lens will then be placed in your eye. The incision is usually self-sealing and doesn’t require stitches.

Your doctor will likely want to see you for a follow-up visit a few weeks after surgery. After that, you should have an annual eye exam to check your vision and make sure your eye is healthy.

Intraocular lenses (IOLs) are artificial lenses that are used to replace the natural lens of your eye during cataract surgery. There are a number of different types of IOLs available, and your doctor will help you choose the best one for you based on your individual needs.

Monovision is a treatment option that may be recommended for people with cataracts who also have presbyopia (age-related farsightedness). Monovision involves correcting one eye for near vision and leaving the other eye slightly farsighted. This allows you to see clearly both up close and far away without the need for glasses or contact lenses.