What is cataract surgery?

Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts. Affecting nearly half the American population over the age of 80, this condition causes a gradual clouding of the eye’s lens. Cataract surgery is performed according to the type of cataracts that you have, but the basic process involves removing all or part of the affected lens and replacing it with an implant to create unimpaired vision. In some cases, the cataract can be removed without implanting lenses. Either way, the success rate of cataract surgery remains consistent at 95 percent.

Most cataract surgeons recommend surgical treatment once cataracts begin to impair your everyday activities, such as driving, reading and working. The surgical techniques have come so far in this area that the procedure can be completed in minutes with very short recovery time and little to no pain. The results are typically permanent, as well, making cataract surgery a prime option for many people suffering from cataracts.

There are two types of cataract surgery: extra-capsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and intra-capsular cataract extraction (ICCE). In both procedures, an incision called a “capsulotomy” is made into the capsule of the affected lens to surgically remove all or part of it. In extra-capsular cataract surgery, the lens is removed but the majority of the lens capsule is not. A surgeon will use a process called phacoemulsification to break up the lens with high-frequency sound waves prior to removal.

During intra-capsular cataract surgery, a surgeon will remove the entire lens, including the capsule. This procedure is far more rare, however, and is only performed in very specific cases. In both types of cataract surgery, a plastic lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) can be implanted in place of the removed natural lens. It is a permanent replacement that never needs to be removed, barring any complications. As with any type of surgery, cataract procedures do come with a certain amount of risks, although most are uncommon. Possible complications post-surgery include endophthalmitis, posterior capsular opacification and retinal detachment.

What Can I Expect on the Day of Surgery?

Cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, on an outpatient basis for most people. You will be administered local anesthesia, but you will remain awake during the procedure. Someone will need to drive you home after your cataract surgery, but you can usually resume normal activities as soon as the same night. Driving can often resume the next day as long as your surgeon clears you during your post-operative exam.

If you’re researching New York cataract surgery, contact our office at The Fifth Avenue Eye Center. We’ve got more than 40 years’ experience in the business and offer free consultations for people interested in cataract surgery in New York. Our surgeon, Dr. Ilan Cohen, will personally determine the best surgical options for your condition. We use the latest technology in computer imagery to scan your eyes to diagnose your particular case and will outline an individualized treatment program that will help restore your vision.