Advanced cataract surgery is performed to remove a patient’s cloudy lens and restore clear vision. Michael underwent advanced cataract surgery at the Ocala Eye Surgery Center and says he gained clarity not just in his vision, but also in his life.
“My whole outlook on life is better,” he says. “Being able to see – it’s a remarkable thing.”
Michael says he was nearly blind due to cataracts, and it was preventing him from doing the things he loved to do in his leisure time and the things he needed to do at work to make a living.
“Now I can see perfectly,” he says. “I can actually do my job, and before I could not.”
What is a Cataract?
When the lens of the eye becomes progressively opaque, it results in blurred or “cloudy” vision. This is known as a cataract, and it occurs in more than 24.4 million people in the United States.
By age 80, more than 50% of all adults either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.
In a healthy eye, light passes through the transparent lens to the retina. After reaching the retina, light is converted to nerve signals that are sent to the brain. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image seen will be blurred or cloudy, hazy and less colorful.
Treatment for Cataracts
When prescription glasses can’t clear a patient’s vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Surgery is normally reserved for patients whose blurry vision interferes with their everyday activities, such as reading or driving at night. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness – a phenomenon Michael was beginning to experience.
Consulting with one’s doctor is the first step to determine if surgery is the right option to pursue. Most eye doctors suggest considering cataract surgery when cataracts begin to affect one’s quality of life.
The Benefits of Advanced Cataract Surgery
Advanced cataract surgery has many benefits, including:
- It corrects vision: around 96% of patients will have their desired vision after surgery
- It involves minimal pain since numbing drops are used
- Vision is corrected nearly immediately or by the day after surgery
- No bandages or stitches are required afterward
Moreover, further adjustments can be made years after laser vision correction surgery to further correct vision if vision changes while you age. After having cataract surgery, most patients have a dramatic reduction in eyeglass or contact lens dependence, and many patients no longer need them at all.
How Is Advanced Cataract Surgery Performed?
During advanced cataract surgery, the surgeon will create corneal incisions, remove the anterior capsule of the lens, and fragment the cataract. Advanced cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, meaning patients go home the same day as surgery.
Michael says the entirety of the staff at Ocala Eye helped him feel comfortable during the process. And getting his sight back has made him appreciate the world around him without taking sight for granted.
“I’m truly blessed. It’s been nothing but an outstanding experience,” he says with a smile. “I highly recommend Ocala Eye.”
