Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes, but a cataract in one eye cannot spread to the other. The National Eye Institute recommends regular eye checks to catch the early stages of this eye condition. Doing so allows you to get treatment immediately. For that, you’ll want to know how your eye doctor treats cataracts to help you prepare for your appointment. Here are the details.
 

Diagnosis First

Your eye doctor must diagnose you first. The right eye exams will rule out other eye conditions that may be causing your blurry vision. A slit-lamp exam will examine the components in the front part of your eye. It can detect abnormalities in parts like the lens, cornea, and iris.

A retinal exam will follow. This will allow your eye doctor to see the back part of your eye. It will help inspect your optic nerve and retina for any abnormalities or signs of damage or disease. Next will be a visual acuity and refraction test. This exam sees how clear and sharp your vision is. Your eye doctor will test each eye to confirm if it can see letters in different sizes.
 

The Treatment

Medical researchers say that the only effective way to clear your eyes of cataracts is eye surgery. You need to ask your doctor if surgery is for you. Cataract surgery can remove the cloudy lens that limits or prevents you from performing your daily activities. There is no rush because cataracts are not harmful, but the clouding can worsen quickly in people with obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
 

The Surgery

This procedure will remove the clouded lens from your eye. Your eye doctor will replace the clouded lens with a clear, synthetic lens called an intraocular lens. It will stay in the same position as your natural lens. This lens will become a permanent component of your eye. In some cases, the use of an artificial lens may not be possible because of an existing eye condition. Corrective lenses or eyeglasses will then correct the individual’s vision.

Cataract surgery will be an outpatient procedure. This will allow you to go home after. Your eye doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around your affected eye. You will be awake during the surgery. This is a safe treatment, but you will have a risk of bleeding and infection. Your risk of having retinal detachment can also increase.

There will be some discomfort a few days after your cataract surgery. Your eye doctor will perform surgery on one eye first. Once it heals, the other eye will come next.
 

Recovery

Expect to have mild pain after your cataract surgery. You can manage it by taking pain relievers for the first two days. You will have a complete recovery after four to eight weeks. But you may have clearer eyesight earlier than that. Your eye doctor will tell you if it is time to go back to your normal activities.

Understanding the treatment for cataracts can help you prepare for your appointment. At Savaglio Vision, we help our patients regain their vision health through our safe and effective products and treatments. Feel free to visit our clinic in Kenosha, Wisconsin, for a one-on-one consultation. Please call 262-657-7850 to set an appointment or inquire about our cataract treatment packages.