<p>Cataract Surgery is one of the most common surgeries performed today across the world. As per the National Eye Institute, more than 2 million cataract surgeries are performed each year. If you are one of them, you may be wondering about your options for surgery.</p>
<p>This blog will take a look at the different types of cataract surgery, what to expect before, during, and after the procedure, and the risks involved. By understanding all there is to know about cataract surgery, you can make an informed decision about whether it's right for you.</p>
<h2>What is Cataract Surgery?</h2>
<p>Basically, a cataract is an accumulation of a cloudy substance on the lens of the eye. The lens of your eye should normally be clear, but a cataract causes it to become cloudy, affecting your vision.&nbsp;<a href="../../blog/signs-that-you-might-suffering-from-cataract" target="_blank">Cataracts may show more symptoms</a> such as double vision, inability to see properly at night, fading of colours, etc.</p>
<p>Surgery is the only option to get rid of cataracts. In cataract surgery, a trained and experienced cataract surgeon removes the affected eye lens and replaces it with an artificial lens (Intraocular lens). <br /> <br />The procedure is generally safe and very common, and it is performed under the supervision of an eye surgeon and ophthalmologist as an outpatient procedure.</p>
<h2>An Overview of Types of Cataract Surgeries</h2>
<p>Cataract surgery is performed using an Intraocular Lens (IOL).</p>
<h3>PHACO Cataract Surgery</h3>
<p>The surgery where it is possible to install an insertable lens after removing the fragments of the cataract with suction through a small incision in front of your eye. Most wounds left behind by this technique do not need sutures to heal. It is also called Phacoemulsification.</p>
<h3>Small Incision Cataract Surgery</h3>
<p>With MSICS (Manual Small Incision Cataract Surgery), you have a shorter external incision (cut) and a wider internal cut, which is less than 6.5 mm on the outside and 11 mm on the inside.</p>
<p>Although both the surgeries (PHACO and SICS) have similar long-term outcomes, researchers found that Phacoemulsification (PHACO) might have better short-term outcomes following the surgery while MSICS may be more cost-effective in the short term.</p>
<h3>Manual Extracapsular Cataract Surgery</h3>
<p>During this Cataract Surgery, your lens is removed, and an IOL is inserted through a relatively large incision, usually 9-13 millimetres long. The larger incision of this technique makes it more prone to complications compared to small incision surgery (SICS), but MECS (Manual Extracapsular Cataract Surgery) is still widely used in many parts of the world due to its low cost.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>Intracapsular Cataract Surgery</h3>
<p>In Intracapsular Cataract Surgery, the lens and capsule are removed from the eye through a large incision, which is why it's so rare these days.</p>
<h3>Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery (FEMTO)</h3>
<p>It is another surgery where the laser can also divide and soften the cataract, requiring less energy to remove it with Phacoemulsification. It is called FLACS (Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery) and can aid in a faster healing process.</p>
<h2>What to expect from the Cataract Surgery?</h2>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Before Procedure</span></h3>
<p>To determine which type of lens implant (intraocular lens, or IOL) is best for your eye, your doctor performs a painless ultrasound test several weeks before surgery.<br /> <br />Almost every person who undergoes cataract surgery will be fitted with an intraocular lens (maybe Monofocal, Toric, or Multifocal). These lenses are permanent implants that are not visible but help you see clearly, just like the normal eye lens. They require no maintenance or cleaning.<br /> <br />It is possible to select different types of IOLs depending on your lifestyle and budget. The type of IOL you choose will also be determined by your eye doctor.<br /> <br />A flexible IOL can be made of polymers, acrylics or silicones, while rigid plastic IOLs require several stitches (sutures) to put in place.<br /> <br />In many cases, IOLs are flexible and require a small incision and very few stitches. Once inside the eye, the folded lens unfolds and fills the empty space where the natural lens once was.</p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">During Procedure</span></h3>
<p>It usually requires no more than an hour for cataract surgery to be performed as an outpatient procedure.</p>
<p>When you have cataract surgery, your doctor will dilate your pupil with eye drops, as well as numb the area with local anaesthesia. If you're given sedatives, you'll stay awake but will not feel any distress or pain.<br />There are some cases in which a cataract can be removed without having an artificial lens implanted during cataract surgery.</p>
<h3><span style="text-decoration: underline;">After Procedure</span></h3>
<p>You may experience blurry vision at first after cataract surgery. As your eye heals and adjusts, you will start to see clearly again within a few days.</p>
<p>Your vision should become clearer once you've had cataract surgery because you're looking through a new lens, whereas before you had surgery, your vision was muddled by a yellow or brown tint.<br /> <br />A month or so after your surgery, you'll have to see your eye doctor, who will monitor your healing. In the days following your surgery, you may feel mild discomfort and itching. Avoid pushing or rubbing your eye and use medicines.</p>
<p>During recovery and for a few days after your surgery, you might need to wear an eye patch or a protective shield while sleeping if your doctor recommends it. Sometimes, medications can be injected into the eye after surgery to control eye pressure, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection.</p>
<p>The eye discomfort generally subsides within a few days, and full healing usually takes about eight weeks.</p>
<h2>What are the Risks Associated with Cataract Surgery?</h2>
<p>Cataract surgery is a very much safe and simple procedure with high success rates today. You might have some temporary complications including swelling, infection, loose eyelids, dislocation of the artificial lens, retinal detachment, secondary cataracts, and loss of vision. However, these can be resolved with follow-ups and checkups.<br /> <br /><em><strong>In a nutshell,</strong></em></p>
<p>Cataract surgery is a medical procedure used to remove the lens from the eye and replace it with an artificial lens. This surgery can be performed in one of two ways- traditional cataract surgery or laser cataract surgery. There are several types of laser cataract surgeries, all of which use lasers to break up the cataract into small pieces so that they can be removed from the eye.</p>
<p>For most people, cataract surgery is a safe and effective way to restore vision. If you are considering this procedure, be sure to talk to your doctor about what to expect both during and after surgery.</p>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Cataract Surgery or Operation:</h2>
<h3>Q1. Can cataract surgery be painful?</h3>
<p>Since you'll be given local anaesthesia, you may feel slight discomfort. Most patients do not feel any pain or discomfort during the procedure.</p>
<h3>Q2. After cataract surgery, is it possible to drive?</h3>
<p>It may take you several days to clear your vision after surgery to be able to drive, and you need to arrange transportation home just after the surgery. Discuss your specific timeline with your eye doctor.</p>
<h3>Q3. How does cataract surgery benefit you?</h3>
<p>No other medicines or eyedrops have been shown to be effective at removing cataracts and sharpening your eyesight again beyond cataract surgery. Nearly 9 out of 10 people who undergo cataract surgery see better afterwards as a result of the surgery. The following can be expected after surgery:</p>
<p><strong>&bull; Clearer vision.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; Be able to see bright lights without glare.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; Colours can be distinguished.</strong></p>
<h3>Q4. What is the deadline for getting new glasses?</h3>
<p>In most cases, you'll need to wait two to four weeks after cataract surgery for your eye to heal completely. A new prescription is likely to be required after this time.</p>
<h3>Q5. Is it possible to postpone cataract surgery for a long time?</h3>
<p>When it comes to cataracts, you are not considered in an emergency situation. You can defer your cataract surgery until your cataracts have progressed, depending on how quickly it progresses. You should consult your eye doctor about what timeframe is safe for you and also if it's best to have the surgery or not.<br /> <br />It is possible to become blind if cataracts go untreated. A diagnosis and treatment of congenital cataracts should be initiated as soon as possible for children.</p>
<h3>Q6. Do cataract surgeries help with other vision problems?</h3>
<p>Cataract Surgery can correct the problems that are related to the eye lens, like unclear vision. Other specific surgeries are required for other eye conditions, including Diabetic Retinopathy, Optic nerve damage, Retinal degeneration, astigmatism, etc.</p>
<h3>Q7. Can I have cataract surgery on both eyes if I need it?</h3>
<p>It's typically two to six weeks between the two eye surgeries, so the first eye can heal before the second is done. This way, the first eye can regain its vision before the second is done. Having cataract surgery on both eyes simultaneously is possible but not at all recommended.</p>
<h3>Q8. What is the best way to put the eyedrops?</h3>
<p>Follow your ophthalmologist's instructions for using eye drops before and after cataract surgery. These drops help control inflammation. In order to apply eye drops, follow these steps:</p>
<p><strong>&bull; Hands should be cleaned thoroughly.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; You should look up at the ceiling.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; Remove the lower lid.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; Do not touch the dropper with your eye while you squeeze the bottle.</strong><br /><strong>&bull; Close your eyes after drops are in your eye.</strong></p>
<h3>Q9. What is the duration of cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>It usually takes less than 20-30 minutes for cataract surgery. But the entire procedure takes around 3-5 hours because of other processes involved. Hence, the patient should visit way before time for a smooth and successful operation.</p>
<h3>Q10. What is the optimal time to exercise following cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>You'll get advice from your provider about how long you shouldn't do strenuous activities following surgery. Your eye doctor might recommend at least one week.</p>
<h3>Q11. Is PHACO surgery safe?</h3>
<p>PHACO surgery is one of the best surgical procedures to remove cataracts. It is a safe procedure and only takes a few minutes. Nowadays, many eye specialists recommend this surgery for cataract patients.</p>
<h3>Q12. Is PHACO and cataract surgery the same?</h3>
<p>Phacoemulsification (PHACO) is a type of cataract surgery in which an eye surgeon emulsifies the cloudy natural lens in the eye and then replaces it with an artificial lens. Hence, the PHACO surgery is a Cataract Surgery.</p>
<h3>Q13. What is the difference between phacoemulsification (Phaco) and SICS procedure?</h3>
<p>Phaco is a surgical procedure where an ophthalmologist will use a technique to break up the cataract into smaller pieces (emulsification) and remove them from the eye. SICS is a newer technique that uses ultrasound waves (ultrasonic energy) to do the same thing.</p>
<h3>Q14. What is the most popular Cataract Surgery?</h3>
<p>The most popular cataract surgery is PHACO, which is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a surgical handpiece to break up the cataract and then remove it. Doctors may opt for SICS depending on the eye conditions or choose to use lenses instead of removing the cataract.</p>
<h3>Q15. How long do you have to stay at the hospital after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Cataract surgery is the most common procedure in ophthalmology. It is a surgical procedure that removes cataracts that develop over many years. The entire process takes around one hour and patients are discharged on the same day.</p>
<h3>Q16. What happens on the first day of cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Cataract surgery is a procedure that replaces the cloudy natural lens inside the eye with an artificial intraocular lens. The first day of cataract surgery is typically a full day, with preoperative testing and waiting for the test results to choose the right lens for the eye and schedule the procedure.</p>
<h3>Q17. Can you walk after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Your eye has a natural lens that changes shape in relation to the area's light level. If you have cataracts, the lens becomes cloudy and no longer provides optimum vision. When cataracts are removed, patients will require some time to adjust to the lens and see an improvement in their eyesight. Also, if the cataract surgery is done for both eyes, then doctors advise you to have support for walking and be careful at all times.</p>
<h3>Q18. Can I watch TV after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Cataract surgery is relatively simple, takes less than an hour, and is rarely very painful. Most patients return to normal activities within 24 hours of surgery and will be able to watch TV.</p>
<h3>Q19. Can you look at a computer screen after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>After surgery, it is possible for patients to watch television or gaze at a computer screen after 24 hours of rest. However, it is important not to overexert your eyes after the surgery. Following surgery, most normal activities can be resumed within the first week.</p>
<h3>Q20. Can I use the mobile phone after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>The digital screens of mobile phones, computers, and tablets emit high-energy visible (HEV) and ultraviolet (UV) radiation which can harm the eyes, so it's important to talk to your ophthalmologist about this issue before you start using your phone.</p>
<h3>Q21. How many days of rest is needed after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>The time for a patient to recover from cataract surgery varies based on age, medical history, after-effects, and other factors. The typical time for recovery after cataract surgery is one week or less with most patients sustaining excellent vision.</p>
<h3>Q22. How do I choose the best lens for my cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>If you are considering cataract surgery, it is important that you get a good idea of the different types of lenses. Monofocal lenses provide a single, fixed focus point which means that your near vision will be bad. If you have presbyopia and need reading glasses, you might need bifocal lenses. Try on your reading glasses to get a feel for what the lenses are like. You can also choose toric lenses for the problem of astigmatism. Moreover, multifocal lenses can be a great option for multiple distances.</p>
<h3>Q23. How soon can I resume work after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>Cataract surgery can be a quick and easy procedure for many patients. Patients can usually resume work within a few days after the surgery. Make sure to talk to your eye care specialist about the specifics of when you can return to work.</p>
<h3>Q24. What are you not allowed to do after cataract surgery?</h3>
<p>The patient is usually advised to take some time off after the cataract surgical procedure. They are not allowed to do the following: Drive a car, Drink alcohol, or Use heavy machinery until they have received their post-operative care instructions and had their check-ups done.</p>
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