Cataracts
A cataract occurs when the lens of your eye becomes cloudy. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is a bit like looking through frost or fogged up windows. They can cause difficulty driving at night because of the increased glare and reduction of vision in dim light.
Most cataracts develop slowly while aging. Some can also be caused by other eye conditions or medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medications can also cause cataracts to develop. If you think cataracts are interfering with reading, watching TV, driving a car, seeing in dim light or performing usual daily activities it might be time to consider cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery
This procedure removes the clouded lens of your eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens. In most cases the surgery is completed without the use of stitches. The surgery is performed on an outpatient basis.
After the surgery, expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at first while your eye is healing. Colors may seem brighter after your surgery. It is normal to feel itching and some minor discomfort after your surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye.
Most people will need glasses at least some of the time after surgery. Usually this is for reading, or for people who have a significant amount of astigmatism. After your eye has healed, you will receive a prescription, if needed, for eyeglasses.
Traditional lens implants do not correct for astigmatism, and patients will typically have an ongoing need for glasses. Those desiring more freedom from spectacles may opt for a toric lens implant that corrects for the eye’s natural astigmatic error. Such implants are not covered by Medicare or commercial insurance plans. Dr. Overlease will discuss this option with you in order to optimize the results to fit your needs and lifestyle.