Cataract surgery is a common and generally safe procedure performed to remove a cloudy lens (cataract) from the eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This surgery is primarily done to restore vision that has been impaired due to cataracts, which cause blurry vision, glare, and difficulty seeing at night.
Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the eye's cloudy natural lens (cataract) and replace it with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), to restore clear vision
Cataract surgery is usually considered when cataracts cause significant vision problems that interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or watching TV. Your eye doctor will help determine if surgery is necessary.
Cataract surgery is typically painless. Anesthesia in the form of eye drops or a local injection numbs the eye, and patients may receive a mild sedative to relax. Most people feel only slight pressure or no sensation during the procedure.
The actual surgery usually takes about 10 to 20 minutes per eye. Including preparation and post-operative recovery, the entire process may take a few hours at the surgical center.
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) used in cataract surgery include monofocal lenses (clear vision at one distance), multifocal lenses (clear vision at multiple distances), toric lenses (correct astigmatism), and accommodating lenses (provide a range of vision from near to far).
Most people notice improved vision within a few days after surgery, but it may take a few weeks for vision to fully stabilize. Vision improvement depends on individual healing and the type of IOL implanted.
