Frequently Asked Questions About Cataract Surgery
Your Santa Ana eye surgeon may tell you that it’s common to be nervous when you are approaching cataract surgery. The good news is that it’s usually a simple procedure, and most people don’t experience any major complications. One way to ease your mind is to learn more about the procedure beforehand, and ask your eye surgeon in Santa Ana to answer any questions you may have.
What Are Cataracts?
The term cataract is used to describe a clouding of the eye’s lens. This may present as a blurring or distortion of vision. People with cataracts may experience a glare, double vision, or a halo effect around lights. Cataracts will worsen overtime and cause a need for a stronger eyeglass prescription before you schedule treatment with your Santa Ana eye surgeon.
Is Cataract Surgery Painful?
Your Santa Ana eye surgeon may tell you that you may experience some discomfort from cataract surgery. Most people are offered a mild sedative to help ease the discomfort, and numbing eye drops are used in all cases to make the procedure go smoother.
Do You Have to Have Surgery at the Hospital?
Even though cataract surgery is considered surgery, it is an outpatient procedure that is usually performed in the office of an eye surgeon Santa Ana residents have available to them.
Do You Perform Cataract Surgery on Both Eyes on the Same Day?
If you need cataract surgery for both eyes, you will likely have the surgery for each eye on a different day. Usually, both surgeries are done with a week or two in between, but never at the same time.
How Long Does the Surgery Take?
You may be concerned of spending several hours in surgery to treat your cataracts, but this won’t be a problem. The actual procedure may only take your Santa Ana eye surgeon about 10 to 20 minutes. However, you should account for the time it takes to be admitted, as well as the time it takes for your eyes to be dilated, and the pre-op and post-op to be done. All in all, you should expect to spend several hours at the office, but the actual surgery is quick.
How Long Does it Take to Heal From Cataract Surgery?
It may take several weeks for your eyes to heal and your vision to stabilize. Someone should accompany you on the day of the surgery to drive you home. Patients are usually told to rest the day of the surgery, and are often cleared to return to usual activity and work after just a few days.
Will You Still Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is designed to improve your vision, which means you may be able to reduce the prescription strength of your eyeglasses after your vision stabilizes in a few weeks. You likely will still need glasses, though.
Cataract surgery can be a quick and easy procedure to correct vision impairment caused by cataracts on the eyes. If you think you have a vision problem, contact your Santa Ana eye surgeon at (714) 500-8677 today.