What is Cataract Surgery?

If you suffer from cataracts, you are not alone. Cataracts is a progressive condition that develops slowly over a number of years. Common symptoms of cataracts include blurry and clouded vision, increased sensitivity to light, difficulty driving after dark, difficulty reading, and seeing a halo effect around light fixtures. As the primary cause of vision problems in senior citizens, cataracts prevent light from reaching the receptors in your eye.

Cataracts can affect both eyes or one eye, but it’s not a contagious condition that can move from one eye to the other. Because cataracts don’t come on the scene quickly, those who suffer from them often simply attribute them to the natural process of aging. However, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and suspect that cataracts may be the culprit, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery. Here’s what you need to know.

Cataract surgery is a simple, safe procedure that is performed on more than 3 million Americans every year. The surgery removes the lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens made from acrylic, silicone, or plastic. Most of the time, the surgery is performed by an eye surgeon on an outpatient basis and involves the use of a local anesthesia applied to the eye area. Your surgeon may also provide medication to help you relax during the procedure.