How Long Does Cataract Surgery Last?
- Posted on: May 10 2022
Patients have many questions when considering cataract surgery. One of the important considerations for patients is how long the results of cataract surgery last. Here, Pamel Vision & Laser Group discusses cataract surgery and how long it lasts.
What Are Cataracts?
The lens of the eye is normally clear. However, over time the lens can become cloudy. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye. Most cataracts develop due to advancing age, but cataracts can have other causes, including the following:
- Certain medical conditions
- Certain medications
- Trauma to the eye
Cataracts tend to develop slowly over time. In addition to blurry or cloudy vision, other symptoms of cataracts include the following:
- Sensitivity to bright lights
- Sudden prescription changes
- Poor night vision
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading without bright lights
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should schedule an eye exam with Dr. Gregory Pamel at Pamel Vision & Laser Group.
What Is Cataract Surgery?
As cataracts develop, they can begin to interfere with everyday life. They can even interfere with a person’s ability to drive. That is why many people choose to have their cataracts removed via cataract surgery.
During standard cataract surgery, ultrasound energy is used to break up the natural lens, and the fragments are carefully removed from the eye. A new intraocular lens is then inserted to restore vision. When undergoing cataract surgery, patients have several different lens options, including monofocal and multifocal lenses. These lenses can reduce or completely eliminate a patient’s need for glasses when performing certain tasks.
Dr. Pamel utilizes the Optimedica Catalys Precision Laser System as his surgical platform. The laser is used to perform the first few steps of the cataract removal procedure and ensures that Dr. Pamel can customize the surgery to the needs of the patient.
Laser cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure. It is an outpatient procedure that can be completed in around 10 minutes.
How Long Does Cataract Surgery Last?
After cataract surgery, the patient’s natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens. Cataracts can only develop on the natural lens. Thus, once the natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens, it can no longer develop cataracts. In this way, cataract surgery lasts forever.
However, after cataract surgery a small percentage of patients do experience posterior capsular opacification, also known as “secondary cataracts.” This condition occurs when cells grow around the capsule holding the lens and block incoming light, causing blurry vision that is similar to cataract symptoms. Posterior capsular opacification can be treated with laser surgery.
Learn More About Laser Cataract Surgery
If you recognize any of the above cataract symptoms or have already been diagnosed with cataracts, then it is time to learn more about laser cataract surgery. Dr. Pamel has performed over 4,000 cataract surgeries. Schedule your cataract consultation with Dr. Pamel today.
Posted in: Cataract Surgery
