Introductions to Cataracts and Cataract Surgery

In recent years, the technology used to perform cataract surgery has undergone considerable improvements. In turn, this has led to high rates of success in modern cataract surgery. During the same period, treatment options have expanded. Because of that, patients play a greater role in determining their treatment than in past years. In other words, you have options available to you now that were not present when your parents or grandparents may have had cataract surgery. These developments have led to an increased need for patient education.

Functional vision may mean different things to different people. Only you can decide, with the help of your doctor, what your visual requirements are. Everyone’s needs are different. However, we all have one thing in common: if our vision decreases to the point where we are unable to perform our daily activities, whatever they may be, our ability to function will be reduced. In turn, this may reduce our independence and directly impact our quality of life.

Cataracts affect all of us eventually, although the age at which we become aware of this varies significantly from one person to the next. It is possible that your cataract will not advance to the point that it causes visual difficulty for you. In some patients, cataracts will progress to the point that vision can be restored only by removal of the cataract. Due to the high prevalence of cataracts, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States. According to the National Eye Institute, between 1.5 and 3 million patients undergo cataract surgery annually in the US alone. One of the most remarkable things about cataracts is that they can be removed. The majority of patients, who have visual disability resulting from their cataracts, can have them removed and replaced with a new intraocular lens to restore vision, regardless of their age.

This website explains basic eye anatomy, the process of vision, the nature of cataracts, what to expect from them, what treatments are available for them, and what to expect over time both before and after cataract treatment. As you can imagine, it is difficult to learn all this information in one or two visits to the doctor. This website is designed to supplement your knowledge of cataracts and cataract surgery, so you can maximize the time you spend with your doctor getting your questions answered and choosing a treatment strategy that meets your goals and needs. The content of this website is for informational purposes only. The information contained on this website is not intended as a substitute for a physician, medical care or treatment, but is designed to empower readers with information so they can discuss treatment options with their attending physicians in order to make informed decisions regarding treatment choices.

© Vision Information Services, LLC, Mooresville, NC 2012