What is a Cataract?
Cataracts are a natural part of aging. If you are live long enough, you eventually develop a cataract. A cataract is a clouding of your eye's natural lens. The lens normally focuses the rays of light. As the lens becomes progressively more cloudy, the vision will become progressively more dim. Often, people are unaware that they have cataracts because they tend to worsen slowly, and are usually bilateral, so the loss of vision is less obvious. Over time, the clouding worsens, and the vision becomes progressively less distinct. Glare symptoms may occur, especially with bright sunlight or at night. Colors appear less sharp. Reading vision may worsen and driving vision may become compromised.
There is no medication that will cure cataracts. When a cataract becomes large enough that it interferes with vision, the cataract is considered to be "ripe." At this point, cataract surgery becomes an option. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations in the country. Cataract surgery is performed by Dr. Yashar as an outpatient at a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. It is generally performed without stitches through a small incision which makes the procedure significantly safer and with a faster visual recovery. You will be custom fit for an intraocular lens -- based on your eye measurements and prescription.
Small incision no-stitch cataract surgery offers many advantages over the older cataracts of surgery. These include:
1. Safer Surgery
2. Faster visual Recovery
3. Less need for stitches
4. Less OR time
Dr. Yashar will discuss whether you are a candidate for cataract surgery. Dr. Yashar will review your medical history with you. If you are candidate, you will need to see your doctor for preoperative clearance prior to surgery.
The day of surgery, you will need to have someone drive you to and from the surgery center. Plan to be there for 2-3 hours. Most patients are sent home from the surgery center with a patch, which is typically removed the following day. Then a series of drops (antibiotic and steroid) are begun for several weeks. In the postoperative period, you will have to refrain from rubbing your eye, lifting anything heavy, or strenuous exercise.
