What to Know When Considering Cataract Surgery

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Cataract surgery can improve your ability to see and reduce the risk of vision loss. Cataract-removal surgery is very common in the United States, with about 4 million procedures performed yearly. Choosing a highly experienced surgeon who does these surgeries regularly is important.

Here are some other things to know when considering cataract surgery.

A Simple Eye Exam Can Valuate Cataracts

If you’re concerned about cataracts, the first step is to have your eyes examined. Cataracts can be diagnosed with a simple eye exam called a dilated eye exam. During this exam, your doctor will use a light to look at your retina (the nerve tissue at the back of your eye) for signs of damage and check for any changes in the lens that may indicate a cataract.

Find an Experienced Surgeon You Can Trust

When it comes to cataract surgery, you want an experienced and confident surgeon. You also want to know that your doctor has good reviews from other patients and can demonstrate their expertise with the procedure.

You can find information about a doctor’s experience by checking the following:

  • The length of time they’ve been practicing in the field.
  • How many procedures do they perform yearly?
  • Whether they have treated similar cases before.
  • What credentials and certifications do they hold?

What to Expect During the Cataract Surgery

Cataract removal is a quick and painless procedure that can take 30 minutes. Your eye surgeon will make a small cut to remove the natural lens inside your eye and replace it with an artificial one. This new lens can help improve your vision and may eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses.

The rest of your body should not be affected by this surgery; however, if you’re having other health issues such as diabetes or high blood pressure, then speak with your doctor before going through any procedure such as this one.

Most Insurance Plans Cover Cataract Removal

Most insurance companies will cover the cost of cataract removal under the following conditions:

  • You have a clear lens that can be removed intact. In this case, your doctor uses phacoemulsification to break up and remove the cloudy lens while leaving its surrounding tissues intact. This method is more expensive than other methods but has been shown to have fewer complications and better outcomes for patients in their 70s and older.
  • You have poor vision due to cataracts in both eyes (bilateral).

There Are Different Lens Replacement Options

There are different lens options for cataract surgery. Cataract surgery removes your natural lens and replaces it with an artificial one to improve your vision. Common lens replacements are monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses, among others.

Monofocal lenses are standard lenses that focus on distance. They do not provide any magnification for near objects, so you may need reading glasses or bifocals after the surgery if your vision becomes blurry when reading from a close distance.

Multifocal lenses have multiple focal points, allowing you to see clearly far away and nearby without wearing glasses or contacts afterward. However, these multifocal artificial lenses can be difficult to adjust because they require changing focus while looking at different distances.

Conclusion

You must speak with your eye doctor about the next step if you have cataracts. You can have the surgery done right away, or you may need more tests like an eye exam or imaging study first. Your doctor will help you choose the right lens option for your needs at cataract surgery.

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