Cataract surgery is one of those surgeries that is expected to be needed by everyone as they age. Where it used to be limited to only those with means, now practically everyone can get cataract surgery if and when they want. Some estimates have nearly half of the population that is aged 80 or older either have cataracts or have already had the surgery to correct it. If you live in Boca Raton, Miami Plantation, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, or the surrounding areas, the best surgeon you can find for your cataract surgery is Dr. Andrew Shatz at SightTrust Eye Institute. Call them now to get yourself scheduled and to learn more.
What Are Cataracts?
It’s good to understand what is happening with your eyes when you develop cataracts. A cataract means that your eye lens is cloudy, making it difficult to see things clearly. It has been described as trying to look through a frosted or fogged-up window pane. You can make out shapes, but they aren’t well defined and the details are not easy to make out. Cataracts typically develop slowly over years, and you may not notice the deterioration at first. As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of your lens and distorts the light passing through the lens. This may lead to more-noticeable symptoms.
What Does Cataract Surgery Entail?
Cataract surgery is designed to remove the cloudy lens of the eye and replace it with a new lens, which is artificial. This surgery is actually quite fast in nature, often being completed in less than 10 minutes. But even though the surgery is quick, you will need someone to drive you home.
Cataract surgery typically involves three steps. First, you will be provided a numbing agent, usually drops, to numb the eye. You will be sedated for the surgery and will not feel anything. Next, the ophthalmologist will use a laser to make a few tiny incisions and divide the natural lens into small segments. The natural lens fragments are then removed, and a new lens implant will be fitted in place of the old lens. Finally, Dr. Shatz will cover your eye with a shield or sunglasses to protect the eye as it heals.
The cataract removal itself only takes a few minutes, and both eyes can be treated on the same day. You will need to leave the eye covered while sleeping for the first week, and you will use special eye drops for several weeks to help promote healing. Over the first several days, you may experience blurry vision, a gritty feeling in your eye, your eye looking red or bloodshot, or even watery eyes. If you live in Boca Raton, Miami Plantation, Parkland, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, or the surrounding areas and you are ready to deal with your cataracts, contact SightTrust Eye Institute to get the process moving.
