Cataract Eye Surgery 101

Every year, over a million people undergo cataract eye surgery and data shows that over 90% of these operations result in successfully bringing back good vision. Cataract eye surgery calls for the removal of the eye lens on which a cataract has formed. A cataract is an opacity or 'clouding' that matures on the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope. If left untreated, the condition may result in blindness.

Cataracts form due to a variety of reasons, including, but not limited to, the following:

• genetic factors


• as a result of severe eye trauma or injury


• as a result of severe infrared radiation


• exposure to microwave radiation


• advanced age

During cataract surgeries, the damaged lens is removed and on its place, a plastic one is implanted. There are several methods by which this type of eye surgery is performed.

Phacoemulsification. This is when ultrasound is used to break up the cataract. In this procedure, a small cut is made and the opacity is suctioned out. An intraocular lens is then placed on the eye.

Extracapsular. This is when the cataract is removed in one whole piece. A bigger incision is made by the surgeon on the side of the cornea, from which the cataract is 'pulled'. Any opacity left is vacuumed out. The only disadvantage of this procedure is that because of the longer cut, more stitches are required and so recovery time is slower.

Cataract Eye Surgery versus Lasik Eye Surgery

Cataract surgeries are different from Lasik eye surgeries. For one, cataract eye surgeries still do require patients to wear prescription eyewear after the surgery. Further, because cataract eye surgeries are considered required rather than for cosmetic purposes, insurance normally covers the costs involved.

Another difference is that while Lasik offers permanent results, a cataract eye surgery is reversible. That is, you can change the lens that was implanted.

Cataract Eye Surgery Lenses - Monofocal versus Multifocal

Monofocal intraocular lens implants, as the name suggests, correct vision impairment at one distance only. As such, you may very well still need prescription eyewear to support your vision. If you suffer from differing vision flaws (one eye is nearsighted, and the other is farsighted), monofocal lens can still be the answer. Just use two different implants for each eye.

Multifocal intraocular lens implants correct vision problems at all angles, enabling patients to see items regardless if they are near or far. As such, it is possible that no prescription eyewear is necessary after the cataract eye surgery. One disadvantage, however, is that you may experience seeing 'halos' around lights, which may prove to be a problem if you regularly drive at night.