Patients Guide

1. What is a cataract?
   A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens, which can lead to vision problems. The most common type of cataract is related to aging. More than half of all Indian over the age of 65 will have a cataract.
   
   
2. What are the symptoms?
   The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
   • Cloudy or blurry vision.
   • Problems with light, such as headlights that seem too
   • bright, glare from lamps or very bright sunlight.
   • Colors that seem faded.
   • Poor night vision.
   • Double or multiple vision.
   • Frequent changes in glasses or contact lenses.
   
   
   
3. How is a cataract detected?
   Cataracts are detected during a comprehensive annual eye examination. The exam includes: a visual acuity test, to measure the ability to see at various distances; pupil dilation, to allow the eye care professional to examine the lens and retina; and, tonometry, a test to measure fluid pressure in the eye.
   
   
4. My doctor says I have a cataract, but he wants to wait a while before removing it. Why?
   A cataract usually starts very small and practically unnoticeable but grows gradually larger and cloudier. Your doctor is probably waiting until the cataract interferes significantly with your vision and your lifestyle. You need to continue to visit your eye doctor regularly so the cataract's progress is monitored. Some cataracts never really reach the stage where they should be removed. If your cataract is interfering with your vision to the point where it is unsafe to drive, or doing everyday tasks is difficult, then it's time to discuss surgery with your doctor.
   
   
5. When should I have the cataract removed?
   Each person's need is different. First obtain the best possible glasses and decide if the vision is provided is sufficient for your needs. Your job, hobby, driving needs, and personality will determine how satisfied you are with your vision.
   
   
6. Is cataract surgery serious?
   All surgery involves some risk, so yes, it is serious. However, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed type of surgery in the REH. Choosing a surgeon with this much experience will reduce the risk of something going wrong. Our cataract surgeons have several thousand procedures under their belt.
   
   
7. How much does cataract surgery cost?
   It depends on the eyewear that is prescribed and the type of artificial lens (intraocular lens) used as a replacement. Please contact REH for more details.
   
   
8. What happens during the surgery?
   Cataract surgery is a same-day procedure which takes only about ten to twenty minutes. The patient is given an intravenous sedative and a topical anesthetic. The surgical procedure involves removing the natural lens, which has become cloudy, and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.
   
   
9. What about follow-up care?
   Patients are seen in clinic one day following cataract surgery. The next post-operative visit usually occurs two to four weeks after the post-operative visit.
   
   
10. When will vision return after surgery?
    Most patients can resume daily activities almost immediately; however, vision may be blurry. The eye needs time to heal and adjust so that it can focus properly with the other eye. Follow-up visits to the clinic are scheduled to evaluate progress.
    
    
11. Is cataract surgery effective?
    Cataract surgery is one of the most common, safest and effective surgical procedures performed in the world today. In over 98 percent of cases, patients who have cataract surgery experience better vision.
    
    
12. Are there different types of cataract surgery?
    There are two types of cataract surgery. Your doctor can explain the differences and help determine which is better for you:
    • Phacoemulsification, or phaco. A small incision is made on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Your doctor inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This device emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so that it can be removed by suction. Most cataract surgery today is done by phacoemulsification, also called "small incision cataract surgery."
    • Extracapsular surgery. Your doctor makes a longer incision on the side of the cornea and removes the cloudy core of the lens in one piece. The rest of the lens is removed by suction.
    After the natural lens has been removed, it often is replaced by an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Light is focused clearly by the IOL onto the retina, improving your vision. You will not feel or see the new lens.
    Some people cannot have an IOL. They may have another eye disease or have problems during surgery. For these patients, a soft contact lens, or glasses that provide high magnification, may be suggested.
    
    
13. Will I need glasses?
    The process of cataract removal and lens implantation is intended to restore your focus to normal, minimizing your dependence on glasses. Most people need some form of glasses, if only to read.