Understanding Cataract Surgery
Get Clear About Cataracts and Treatment
Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common, and most effective procedures performed today. As an advanced and highly customizable procedure, this surgery can effectively correct cataracts and have an overall transformative impact on your quality of vision.
During your cataract treatment with Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, your surgery will take place in our advanced, in-office surgical suite. This procedure can be divided into three primary phases:
1. Cataract Removal
To begin your lens replacement procedure, your surgeon will make a tiny incision in your eye. They will then carefully remove your clouded natural lens through this micro-incision.
2. Lens Insertion
Your surgeon will replace your original lens with a new, artificial replacement. This lens is carefully and strategically selected based on your unique eye health and vision needs.
3. Vision Renewed
With a new lens, you will be free from cataracts and able to enjoy an enhanced quality of eyesight. Your follow-up appointments will ensure that everything is going as it should.
Helpful Things to Know About Cataract Surgery
What can I expect after cataract surgery?
Following your surgery, you can experience clearer eyesight with brighter colors, enhanced night vision, and reduced dependence on glasses or contacts. This makes it easier to participate in and enjoy countless everyday activities that require quality eyesight, such as driving, reading, writing, cooking, and more.
What else can cataract surgery help with?
Depending on your choice of lens, your cataract surgery may also help correct astigmatism and presbyopia.
What is astigmatism? How can this procedure help?
Normally, the cornea or lens is an evenly rounded sphere. Astigmatism is a common condition in which the eye is egg-shaped or oval-shaped instead. As a result, light rays are unable to properly refract or bend within the front of the eye, causing blurry vision. With astigmatism, you may also experience eye discomfort, eyestrain, and headaches.
Some IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism in addition to restoring vision quality that was lost due to cataracts. If your astigmatism is not corrected during your cataract surgery, you may still need to wear contact lenses or glasses after the procedure.
What is presbyopia? How can this procedure help?
When young, the lens in your eye is clear, soft, and flexible, allowing it to easily change shape and adjust its focus toward various distances. As you age, the lens becomes more rigid; this impacts its ability to change shape as easily and causes your eyes to gradually lose the ability to focus on nearby objects. This is known as presbyopia.
During cataract surgery, your surgeon may replace your rigid natural lens with a new, clear, and flexible IOL that can adjust for close-up and distant vision. There are also lens options that allow for clearer vision at one distance.
Regular Eye Exams for Proactive Care
It is important to note that cataracts develop slowly. You may not notice them until cloudy vision, light sensitivity, and other symptoms start making your normal, everyday tasks difficult. However, you do not have to wait until symptoms appear to take control of your eye health and vision quality.
Routine eye appointments can play a pivotal role in protecting the quality of your eyesight. During this comprehensive examination, your ophthalmologist or optometrist could detect cataracts long before they start interfering with your vision, allowing you to seek out treatment proactively.
Are You Ready to Discuss Cataract Surgery?
If you believe that you could have cataracts, the first step to restore your vision is to meet with your eye doctor. At Oklahoma Eye Surgeons, we are here to help through our accurate diagnoses and effective treatments. Our surgeon, Dr. Steven Sarkisian, specializes in advanced cataract lens replacements and tailors his treatment to the unique needs of each patient.
To discuss your lens replacement options or to learn more about procedures at our clinic, please contact us. We are ready to help enhance your eyesight.