You should have heard about cataract eye surgery even if you have not been diagnosed. The corrective vision procedure is the most commonly performed in Australia and other parts of the world. 

Cataract eye surgery is more prominent for its tremendous success rate and the ability to restore the seemingly worst vision to its initial perfect state. In other words, both patients and surgeons consider cataract eye surgery to be the best corrective measure for healing cataracts because it has a mouthwatering record of providing a clearer, sharper, and more balanced view. S

Meanwhile, there are other alternatives to curing cataracts aside the surgery, but they are less known in the medical world. So, is contact surgery the best corrective measure for cataracts? Is it recommendable for all age groups? Are there any risks involved? So we will answer all that and any other questions in this article to ensure you completely understand the procedure.

Before we go into details, it is essential first to explain the meaning of the subject matter.

What is cataract eye surgery?

As said earlier, cataract eye surgery is a corrective vision procedure specially established to cure cataracts. Cataracts are vision impediments that cloud the eye lens due to the excess buildup of proteins. After a while, the clumping may worsen the victim’s vision to the extent of causing partial or total blindness. 

No doubt, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness. Cataracts give some early warning signs that disturb vision at a mild level. But when the impediments get to the severe stage, cataract surgery becomes the only option to repair the vision. 

Cataract surgery is among the safest and most effective surgery performed in Australia. Up to 90% of those who have undergone the procedure came back with success stories of a perfectly restored vision. 

What are the signs you have cataract surgery?

Cataract symptoms are usually age-related. Though a few people develop cataracts at a tender age due to some health factors, most cataract patients notice its symptoms when they get old. In addition, research shows that cataract surgery seems to worsen as victims grow older. 

Early signs of cataracts do not necessarily require surgery. Your surgeon will only recommend the procedure when the impediment begins to affect the everyday activities of the day, like reading, walking, driving, and the like.

So, how would you know you are a patient with cataracts? Check out the signs listed below:

• Blurry vision 
•  Colors appearing faded 
• Impaired night vision
• Sensitivity to glare and bright lights  
• Double vision 
• Halos 

An infant may also have cataracts at birth – that is known as congenital cataracts. This particular condition of cataracts is among the leading causes of blindness in children. An expert surgeon can conduct a successful surgery on a child in this condition if the patient is not up to 6 weeks old. 

What are the types of cataracts surgery 

When people hear the term cataract surgery, they quickly assume it’s just a type. However, we are about to expose you to a fantastic discovery.

Cataract surgery is available in six different options. The best-known type of cataract surgery is the one that has to do with replacing a patient’s lens with an intraocular lens. Aside from that, we have five others to explain to you.

• Phacoemulsification 

During this cataract surgery, your surgeon will make a two or 3-mm-long incision at the front of your eyes for the ultrasonic probe. The probe will vibrate and break up cataracts to remove the fragment with suction. The surgeon will then insert the foldable lens through the incision. 

• Manual extracapsular cataracts surgery 

MECS is another less common type of cataract surgery. Your surgeon will make a large incision between 9 to 13mm long during this procedure. After the incision has been made, the surgeon will remove your lens to insert the IOL.

Surgeons don’t always prefer this type of technology because it comes with higher risks than other types. However, many patients worldwide still ask for it because of its low cost. 

• Manual Small Incision  

Manual Small Incision Surgery (MSICS) is a variation of Manual Extracapsular Surgery. This method of cataract surgery involves making a smaller V-shaped incision thinner on the outside of the eyes and broader on the inside. Usually, the outer incision measure from 6.5 to 7mm, while the internal incision measure about 11mm.

Both Phacoemulsification and MSICS have almost the same results and after-surgery risks. However, Phacoemulsification heals faster.

• Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery 

This technique involves using a laser to make a medium-sized incision in the eyes of the patient instead of the famous manual method. More so, the laser will quickly soften and divide the cataract for easy removal 

That seems to be the safest and most effective among other types of cataract surgery. The reason is that the laser can make an incision accurately and doesn’t need manual operations on the eyes. 

This technique heals astigmatism and another vision impediment. By implication, you may not likely experience any complications after the surgery. However, this cataract surgery is more expensive than other types listed earlier. 

• Intracapsular cataract surgery 

Intraocular cataract surgery is seemingly the oldest among the other types of cataract surgery. In this technique, your surgeon will remove the entire lens capsule from your eyes through a large incision. Most experienced cataract surgeons no longer perform this type of procedure because it comes with too many risks.

What is the duration of cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is a quick procedure. Unless the preparation is longer than necessary, the entire process shouldn’t take you more than an hour. Typically, the actual procedure takes about 20 minutes; if you are already well prepared and you are working with a competent surgeon, you should be done after 30 minutes 

Is cataract surgery painful? 

Cataract surgery is not a painful procedure. Although you can experience a little discomfort during the procedure, we can guarantee that there will not be any significant pain throughout the entire process.

Final words 

You can get the best result from cataract surgery if you completely understand what it takes and how it works. This detailed guide will give you the advantage of working in perfect cooperation with your surgeon for the best possible outcome.