Cataract surgery: Overview
Cataract surgery helps you see better. It replaces your natural lens, which has become cloudy, with a clear artificial one.
Types of cataract surgery include:
- Phacoemulsification. This is the most common type of surgery. The doctor makes a small cut in your eye and uses an ultrasound tool to break your cloudy lens apart. The small pieces of the lens are removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
- Extracapsular extraction. This uses a larger cut to remove the lens in one piece. It is replaced with an artificial lens.
- Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). This uses laser technology and replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens.
Before surgery, you may be given medicine to help you relax. Medicine will be used to numb your eye. After surgery, you may have a bandage or shield on your eye.
Most people will see better in 1 to 3 days.
Why is cataract surgery done?
The decision to have this surgery is based on whether:
- Your work or lifestyle is affected by vision problems caused by the cataract. For example, you may want surgery if you need to drive, especially at night.
- Glare caused by bright lights is a problem.
- You have another vision-threatening eye disease, such as diabetic retinopathy or macular degeneration.
How is cataract surgery done?
Phacoemulsification (small-incision surgery) is the most common type of cataract surgery. It is used more often than extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), even though they are similar procedures. Another type of surgery uses a laser. This is called femtosecond laser-assisted surgery (FLACS).
During phacoemulsification surgery:
- A tiny incision is made in the eye where the clear front covering (cornea) meets the white of the eye (sclera).
- A circular opening is created on the lens surface (capsule).
- A small surgical tool (phaco probe) is inserted into the eye.
- Sound waves (ultrasound) are used to break the cataract into small pieces. The cataract and lens pieces are removed from the eye using suction.
- An intraocular lens implant (IOL) may then be placed inside the lens capsule.
- Usually, the incisions seal themselves without stitches.
During ECCE:
- A small incision is made in the eye where the clear front covering of the eye (cornea) meets the white of the eye (sclera).
- Another small incision is made into the front portion of the lens capsule. The lens is removed in one piece.
- An IOL implant may then be placed inside the lens capsule. And then the incision is closed with stitches.
During FLACS:
- Laser technology is used for several steps, such as to open the lens capsule, make incisions, soften the lens, and fix astigmatism.
- Sound waves (ultrasound) are used to break the cataract into small pieces.
- The cataract and lens pieces are removed from the eye using suction.
- An IOL may then be placed inside the lens capsule.
- Usually, the incisions seal themselves without stitches.
After cataract surgery: When to call
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have a sudden loss of vision.
- You have sudden chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have signs of an eye infection, such as:
- Pus or thick discharge coming from the eye.
- Redness or swelling around the eye.
- A fever.
- You have new or worse eye pain.
- You have vision changes.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if:
- You do not get better as expected.
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