What is a cataract?
A cataract is the natural clouding of your lens over time. Initially, updating your eyeglass prescription may help, but ultimately cataract surgery may be necessary. The appropriate time to perform cataract surgery is when the loss of vision is interfering with your activities of daily living and a change in eyeglass prescription doesn't help.
What is cataract surgery?
The goal of cataract surgery is to improve your vision by removing the cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with a clear lens. For more information, click here to watch video from the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures available with a complication rate of less than 1%. While the risks of cataract surgery are low, they are not zero. Risks of any eye surgery include pain, infection, bleeding, decreased vision, the need for more procedures, and an unexpected cosmetic outcome. For a complete discussion of these risks please refer to the informed consent.
How is cataract surgery performed?
Cataract surgery is performed in an outpatient setting. Tiny instruments are used to create an opening in the capsule that surrounds the cloudy cataract. Ultrasound is then used to break up the cataract into tiny pieces. (Similar to the way your dentist uses ultrasound to break up plaque.) The tiny pieces are removed and a clear lens is placed inside the eye. Cataract surgery can be performed traditionally with ultrasound energy or a combination of ultrasound energy and laser energy. There are no differences in safety outcomes shown between traditional and laser surgery. Dr. Bhasin performs traditional cataract surgery without laser.
Will I need to wear glasses after cataract surgery?
Yes. No one can guarantee that total freedom from glasses free after any procedure. However, there have been major advances in technology to allow you to be significantly less dependent on glasses. Depending on the type of lens that you choose, you may be able to perform many activities without glasses.
Types of Lenses:
1. Monofocal or “Standard” lenses will require glasses for distance, intermediate, and near.
2. Multifocal lenses help decrease your need for glasses at distance and intermediate, but may still require glasses for reading up close.
3. Toric lenses correct astigmatism. If you have astigmatism, a toric lens will give you the best clarity. Toric lenses are available in monofocal and multifocal varieties.
How long will it take for my eye to heal?
Everyone’s eye heals differently. Most patients are able to see well at their week 1 follow up visit.
Will I need to use eye drops?
Yes. For your convenience, we offer customized eye drops. These drops help to avoid an infection and decrease swelling.
Will my cataract come back?
No. However, your body will produce scar tissue after surgery. This is normal. If the scar tissue interferes with your vision, Dr. Bhasin can perform a simple laser treatment in office to polish the scar tissue off of the lens.
How much does cataract surgery cost?
Fortunately, cataract surgery is covered by medical insurance. However, they may not cover 100% of it. Please contact your insurance company to find out exactly what percentage of cataract surgery they cover.
Where will my surgery take place?
Northlake Surgical Center 1491 Montreal Rd East, Tucker, GA 30084
Please schedule an appointment at your convenience to discuss which options are right for you.