The natural lens of the eye turns yellow and hard with age, and doctors refer to this as a cataract. Cataract surgery allows doctors to remove the natural lens and insert an implant. The procedure is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S. and also "one of the safest and most effective types of surgery," according to the National Eye Institute. When planning cataract surgery, patients should gather information about post-surgery procedures to help ensure the best outcome.
Medications
After cataract surgery, most doctors require patients to use eye drops. The doctor gives a schedule that usually eliminates a drop each week, so that the person finishes the drops a few weeks after surgery. Though each doctor prescribes different drops, most prescribe at least one antibiotic and mild steroid drop to aid in healing and prevent infection. One of the most important things a person can do after having cataract surgery is to make sure he takes the drops as directed.
Follow-Up
The day after surgery, the doctor will examine the eye in a brief appointment to make sure the eye appears healthy. Most doctors schedule another follow-up a week later. If the doctor feels that the eye appears to be healing well, he will recommend another appointment a few weeks after that. By the final appointment, most patients have completed the eye drops. For patients wanting cataract surgery on the other eye, the doctor will typically schedule the surgeries three to four weeks apart.
Warnings
Though a safe surgery, some people may have complications from the surgery. One of the most common problems, an infection called endophthalmitis, develops inside the eye. The infection causes a deep, dull ache inside the eye, a pain similar to that of a toothache, and vision may turn extremely blurry. A person with any signs of infection or changes in vision should contact her ophthalmologist right away.
Considerations
After cataract surgery, most people require a prescription for eyeglasses to see distant objects clearly. However, not everyone needs to wear glasses for distance, and for people who do not, simply wearing glasses for reading may work well. Doctors usually wait until about a month after cataract surgery before they check for a new eyeglass prescription.
Cloudy Capsule
During cataract surgery, the doctor removes the natural lens with a cataract. He replaces this with a lens implant. Both the natural and implanted lenses sit inside a round "bag" called the capsule. In some people, the capsule turns cloudy. The symptoms often mimic a cataract, causing blurry vision and glare problems. Doctors dissolve the cloudy capsule with a simple laser procedure that requires pupil dilation and takes only a few minutes to complete. Once the laser shoots away the capsule, the cloudiness will not return.
