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What are cataracts and is surgery recommended?

Cataracts are one of the most common vision problems patients experience after they turn 50.  The only treatment that can restore clear vision is surgery. The board-certified ophthalmologists at our Naples Eye Physicians center use some of the safest cataract surgery techniques in the world.  Patients who visit our eye doctors in Naples experience convenient same-day surgery that vastly improves their vision.

Overview of Cataracts

The lens of an eye is normally clear.  Its job is to help you see by bending light rays that enter the eye. As cataracts develop, the lens becomes increasingly clouded.  By the time it becomes difficult to perform everyday activities such as reading or driving, patients remark that they feel like they are looking through a fog. Many say colors have dimmed.

During the early stages, boosting lighting and using stronger reading glasses can help.  Our eye doctors in Naples monitor cataract patients regularly with comprehensive exams and advise them when it is time to schedule surgery for removal. 

Ophthalmologists perform more than 3 million U.S. cataract surgeries each year.  The current procedure removes the lens of the eye and replaces it with an intraocular lens implant (IOL), or artificial lens.  The use of laser technology has boosted the accuracy of the procedure.  Patients who required prescription eyewear prior to developing cataracts can enjoy corrected vision in addition to cataract removal.

What to Expect from Cataract Surgery

Before cataract surgery, our ophthalmologist measures a patient’s eyes to determine the right focusing power for the IOL.  After reviewing the health history, our physician will provide instructions on how to prepare for surgery.  They might include skipping some medications, using prescription drops prior to the procedure, and not eating for a certain interval before the outpatient surgery. 

Patients remain awake during cataract surgery.  They can expect medication to help them relax during the procedure.  After numbing the affected eye, the surgeon breaks up its lens, removes it, and inserts the IOL.  In most cases, incisions eventually close by themselves.

After the procedure, individuals remain in a recovery section until their discharge.  A shield placed over the eye protects it.  Another adult should accompany the patient home.

Discharge instructions note when the patient should next see the surgeon and any precautions to take, such as when to wear a shield or glasses for protection.  They also specify limitations to physical activity during healing.  Patients must follow a detailed schedule for using eye drops after surgery.

Call Our Eye Doctors in Naples to Schedule an Appointment

If you are over 50 and are experiencing problems with your vision, call us at Naples Eye Physicians today at (239) 262-6288 to schedule a consultation with one of our board-certified ophthalmologists. We have been serving the needs of Naples families since the 1960s. Our eye doctors in Naples will provide you with the most current, most effective, and safest treatments to keep your vision at its best.