Nowadays, people are scared of entering the theatre room for cataract surgery. I begin to wonder why people are afraid. So, I notice that there are incomplete write-ups about cataract surgery. There has been some information online about this procedure that made people stay aloof to cataract surgery. Hence, when they hear the word “cataract surgery,” people get scared.
I have heard someone saying the eye is one of the crucial parts of the body that is sensitive. And he is scared of allowing a cut in the eye. That person is afraid of the cataract surgery. Therefore, we are here to give you the whole gist of this procedure. So, there’s no cause for alarm. In this write-up, we will discuss everything you need to know about this procedure. Also, we will talk about the meaning of cataracts and what cataract surgery entails.
However, you have a role to play. Please make sure you shun all distractions and follow us closely. We wouldn’t want you to miss a line in this article. Every point is valid in this article.
Related: Frequently asked questions on how to remove cataracts
What is a cataract?
The moment you’re seeing some difficulties in your eyes, there should be a cause for alarm. The common signs that one may be battling cataracts are glare of light, if you find it so hard to see at night, inability to read, and astigmatism. A cataract occurs when there is a problem in the cloudy zone of the eye. So, cataract begins when the protein in the eye starts to accumulate clumps that can affect the lens from transferring clear images to the retina. Once the lens is affected from transporting images to the retina, one will begin to see some of the symptoms listed above. A cataract does not occur suddenly. It does happen bit by bit, and one needs to rise and do the needful before things get worse.
What is cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is the most successful way of treating cataracts. The fact remains that cataract occurs when the natural lens is faulty or damaged. So, once the natural lens is affected, there’s no other way to treat it than to restore the natural lens with an artificial one. And that’s the procedure in cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is the process that involves bringing out the faulty natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. The natural lens cannot be repaired. Once it is faulty, one can only replace it with an artificial one.
How to prepare for cataract surgery
You need to start preparing when you’re diagnosed with a cataract, and your eye doctor tells you that you’ll be going for cataract surgery. There are things you need to do before the day of the surgery, and there are information you need to adhere to on the day of the surgery. Also, your doctor may likely give you some eye drops and some medications before the procedure. So, you must adhere to it all. It is expedient for you to know that series of tests will be carried out on you. And this is part of the planning process. Your eye doctor must see the condition of your eyes. So, your doctor may be calling you to know how you’re feeling even before the day of the surgery.
Remember, cataract surgery is the process of replacing the faulty natural lens with an artificial one. So, part of the planning process is that your doctor will run some tests on you to determine the right artificial lens that will fit you. Therefore, your eye doctor must determine the shape and size of your lens.
Furthermore, you must know that you should avoid eating before the surgery. From our research, patients that want to undergo this procedure must stay away from food at least twelve hours before the procedure. You can do further research on this.
Actions during cataract surgery
During this procedure, you will stay awake. The ophthalmologist will numb your eye with a medicine that will make you not feel any pain. Also, you’ll be given a sedative that will make you feel relaxed. After some time, the fundamental process will begin.
Your surgeon will make a tiny cut in front of your eye. The ophthalmologist will install a small tool to break the faulty natural lens. So, after breaking the damaged natural lens, he will bring it out carefully. The surgeon must be careful here because there mustn’t be a piece or a particle of the natural lens in the eye. So, the next thing to do is to fix the artificial lens now. Mind you; the artificial lens is made of plastic. Some artificial lenses are made of silicone. Thus, the final stage is to close the cut after replacing the natural lens with an artificial one. So, that’s the whole process. Knowing that you will need someone to take you home after the surgery is expedient.
What are the risks of doing cataract surgery?
There’s nothing much to say here. The only thing we can say here is that complications may occur after the procedure. If an inexperienced ophthalmologist does the surgery, complications like bleeding and swelling may occur. That is why it is expedient for you to ensure that a competent eye surgeon is the one handling your eye.
How one may likely feel after the surgery
One may feel sore in one’s eyes after the procedure. If you notice this after the surgery, there’s no cause for alarm. It is normal. But if it persists for some days, you need to contact your doctor and tell him how you feel. Then, it is essential to follow every instruction given to you by the doctor. Some eye doctor will tell you how you’ll feel after the surgery. The essence of doing this is to put your mind at rest.
On a final note
Now, you have the full details about what cataract surgery is all about. With all the above-listed information, you don’t need to be scared of undergoing this procedure again. Finally, if you have any contributions or questions regarding this topic, please share and drop your question in the comment box.