As we get older, cataracts become a problem experienced by a great number of people just like you. Cataracts are a common cause of vision problems among people in their 50’s and 60’s and they are actually a major cause of senior eye problems and vision loss. More than 20 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. For many patients, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.
If you are developing a cataract or already have cataracts you may experience symptoms such as a clouding or blurring of your vision and perhaps feel that you might need a change of eyeglasses. You may notice that it is not as easy to see well and comfortably in dim illumination, such as for night driving. You may notice that colors look faded and you may be bothered by glare, halos, light sensitivity and a continuing decrease in your vision. These are the visual symptoms that are common for those patients whose crystalline lens has clouded and formed a cataract. If you are experiencing one of more of these symptoms please be sure to let your eye doctor know at your eye exam.
During cataract surgery we remove the cataract and replace it with a clear permanent lens implant (IOL) in order to correct your vision. Among seniors and “baby boomers”, cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective, predictable and common operations performed the U.S with more than 2.5 million people having cataract surgery & lens implants each year. Birmingham cataract surgeons Marc Michelson, M.D. and Jennifer Michelson, M.D. typically perform the cataract operation and lens implants on an outpatient basis which offers comfortable and convenient same-day surgery.
Preparation for your cataract operation will begin with a few sets of drops being placed in your eye to dilate your pupil. Additionally, your eye will be treated with anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eye so that you will feel little if any discomfort during your cataract surgery. In addition you will be given medicines to help you relax if desired. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes and is not uncomfortable.
We will schedule a return appointment within 24 hours of your cataract surgery to examine your eye and confirm that you are healing well. We will also prescribe some eye drops for you to use and will ask you to wear a protective shield, mainly at night, to remind you not to accidentally rub your eye. Although each patient will heal a little bit differently, the majority of patients having cataract surgery with the cataract surgeons at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, P.C. are able to see well enough to return to their routine daily activities within a day or so after their procedure.
During your cataract exam and preoperative measurement visit, Drs. Michelson and the staff will discuss choosing a cataract lens implant to correct your vision and help you see clearly. Your cataract surgeon can use multifocal cataract lens implants to correct vision at distance, arm’s length and up close such as the AcrySof® ReSTOR® Multifocal Lens Implant (IOL) or the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix™ Presbyopia-Correcting Lens Implant as well as toric lens implants to correct astigmatism such as the AcrySof® Toric or the Tecnis® Toric Lens Implants, so that you are not dependent on glasses after cataract surgery. We will take the time necessary to answer all of your questions so you can relax on the day of your surgery.