Cataract Surgery Facts

The eye’s natural lens lies behind the iris and pupil. It can be clouded by cataracts. It can occur in one eye or both, but it does not spread from one to the other. The cataract is the most common cause of vision loss. There are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy combined. It affects more than 22 million Americans ages 40 and older.

Cataracts occur as a result of protein changes in the lens of the eyes. The lens inside the eyes focuses light onto the retina. It adjusts the eye’s focus and lets us see things clearly both from up close and far away. The eye lens mostly consists of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a way that it keeps the lens clear so light can pass through it.

Many factors affect the development of cataracts such as exposure to sunlight, diabetes, smoking and drinking alcohol. The most common cause, however, is old age. As people age, the protein in the eyes may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. That is how a cataract is formed and it may grow larger and cloud the lens more, thus making it hard to see.

Cataracts are not removed until they grow large enough. One of the most common operations in the US is the cataract surgery Texas. This is an operation where an artificial replacement lens is inserted into the eye. There are two common techniques for cataract removal: extracapsular and phacoemulsification.

The extracapsular technique is a traditional method of cataract surgery Texas where the lens is surgically removed in one piece after cutting the cornea. This is usually done for advanced cases of cataracts and provides slower recovery rate and greater discomfort in most cases. Phacoemulsification on the other hand is a process where a vibrating needle is inserted to break up the cataract.

After undergoing cataract surgery Texas, protective eyewear is required because there is usually irritation, swelling, pain and sometimes bleeding. Eye drops are prescribed for these problems. If you are experiencing vision loss, nausea, and excessive pain, you should immediately report it to the surgeon. Vision can be blurry for several days, but everyday activities can be resumed after that.