Cataract surgery is used in removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with artificial ones. Cataracts refer to the clouding of the lens which ideally should always be clear. Eye doctors or ophthalmologists are the specialists who perform the treatment. It is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning that patients do not stay hospitalized after it is done. When considering cataract surgery San Antonio residents have to be conversant with all the details of this procedure. It is a generally safe procedure.
When it reaches a level where the individual is not able to go about their daily chores normally, then the surgery remains the best option of treatment. Furthermore, there are times when cataracts interfere with treatment of other conditions of the eyes. For example, they may make it difficult for the ophthalmologist to examine the interior sections of the eye. This will also call for surgical operation to remove the clouding.
The specific time to have the surgical operation is not that important. In fact, there are patients that take time before seeking treatment. This is because the conditions advances gradually and thus one is able to take time before making the decision to go for surgery. For persons whose vision is still good, treatment may not be necessary for several years. Treatment will be essential when it gets to a level whereby one is not able to see faces clearly, are not able to watch TV comfortably and cannot do such activities as shopping and cooking.
Any complications or risks that come after the surgical operation are rare. Among the risks are swelling, inflammation, retinal detachment and bleeding. In some instances, underlying conditions make it impossible for surgery to enhance vision. Such eye underlying problems would have to be treated first.
Some preparation is required before the treatment. Some one week or so before the procedure, there is performance of ultrasound test which is painless. This is used to test the size and shape of the eye. This serves to help determine the right size of lens implants. Further, there are medications that the doctor will advise against. These are those that may increase bleeding during the surgical procedure.
In order that risks during infection may be reduced, eye drops are used. These are applied one or two days before the procedure. There also are instances when the individual may be advised against eating or drinking anything during the day of surgery. The entire procedure is completed in one hour or even less. The eyes get numbed using local anesthesia, with sedatives used for relaxation purposes. Sedation makes people stay awake but feel groggy during the procedure.
The lens that is clouded is removed and replaced with one that is artificial and clear. In some cases, a lens is removed without replacing it with a clear one. The improvement in vision is noticed a few days following treatment. Patients will be required to visit the doctor periodically after surgery.
For most people that go for the procedure, vision is restored successfully. Though there are side effects that may be experienced, these are rare and should be reported to the doctor at once. Among the expected complications is retinal detachment as well as increased eye pressure.
When it reaches a level where the individual is not able to go about their daily chores normally, then the surgery remains the best option of treatment. Furthermore, there are times when cataracts interfere with treatment of other conditions of the eyes. For example, they may make it difficult for the ophthalmologist to examine the interior sections of the eye. This will also call for surgical operation to remove the clouding.
The specific time to have the surgical operation is not that important. In fact, there are patients that take time before seeking treatment. This is because the conditions advances gradually and thus one is able to take time before making the decision to go for surgery. For persons whose vision is still good, treatment may not be necessary for several years. Treatment will be essential when it gets to a level whereby one is not able to see faces clearly, are not able to watch TV comfortably and cannot do such activities as shopping and cooking.
Any complications or risks that come after the surgical operation are rare. Among the risks are swelling, inflammation, retinal detachment and bleeding. In some instances, underlying conditions make it impossible for surgery to enhance vision. Such eye underlying problems would have to be treated first.
Some preparation is required before the treatment. Some one week or so before the procedure, there is performance of ultrasound test which is painless. This is used to test the size and shape of the eye. This serves to help determine the right size of lens implants. Further, there are medications that the doctor will advise against. These are those that may increase bleeding during the surgical procedure.
In order that risks during infection may be reduced, eye drops are used. These are applied one or two days before the procedure. There also are instances when the individual may be advised against eating or drinking anything during the day of surgery. The entire procedure is completed in one hour or even less. The eyes get numbed using local anesthesia, with sedatives used for relaxation purposes. Sedation makes people stay awake but feel groggy during the procedure.
The lens that is clouded is removed and replaced with one that is artificial and clear. In some cases, a lens is removed without replacing it with a clear one. The improvement in vision is noticed a few days following treatment. Patients will be required to visit the doctor periodically after surgery.
For most people that go for the procedure, vision is restored successfully. Though there are side effects that may be experienced, these are rare and should be reported to the doctor at once. Among the expected complications is retinal detachment as well as increased eye pressure.