Treating and Preventing Cataracts

Surgical treatment for cataracts

There are no medications or eye drops that can remove cataracts; they can only be fixed with surgery.¹ The good news is, cataract surgery is a safe procedure that’s very effective, and most people recover quickly.^2,3

Cataract surgery means removing the cloudy lens from your eye and replacing it with an artificial lens made of plastic or silicone.¹

If you have cataracts, you might find that using stronger glasses and brighter lighting is enough to help you cope during the early stages.² But if your vision gets worse and this starts interfering with your day-to-day activities, surgery is the only solution that will make a difference.^2,4

How do I know if cataract surgery is right for me?

You will need to discuss cataract surgery with your ophthalmologist to decide whether it’s the right choice for you.⁴ If the cataracts are starting to affect your quality of life or making it difficult to perform normal daily activities, your ophthalmologist will probably recommend the surgery.^4,5

In most cases, there’s no rush to have the surgery because cataracts only affect the lens and no other parts of the eye,¹ and they usually don’t harm your eyes.⁴ Delaying the surgery won’t affect how well your vision recovers after the procedure⁴ and won’t cause any lasting damage to your eyes.¹

When deciding whether to have the surgery, consider these questions:¹

How badly is my vision affected?
How do I use my sight from day to day?
Do I have any other eye conditions or health concerns?

If you decide to delay having surgery, your sight will get cloudier over time, but the results of the surgery will be the same whenever you have it.¹

How could cataract surgery help me?

A successful cataract operation will help you to see things in clear focus and do the things that were difficult when your vision was cloudy – like reading, driving or watching TV.⁵

As you get older, poor vision can make you vulnerable to accidents like falling.⁵ Surgery to remove cataracts and make your vision clear again can help to prevent this.⁵

Keep in mind that cataracts get worse over time and, although they usually develop slowly, they can eventually lead to blindness if they are not treated.⁵

Talk to your ophthalmologist about whether the benefits of cataract surgery outweigh the small risk that comes with the procedure, and take your time to make an informed decision.^1,4

Can Cataracts Be Prevented?

So far, no studies have proven that there’s any sure-fire way to prevent cataracts or slow down their growth,² but these tips can help you to protect your eye health:²

Have regular eye exams: Getting your eyes checked regularly can help detect cataracts (and other eye problems) early on.²

Wear sunglasses: Too much exposure to UV light from the sun can increase your risk of cataracts.^6,7 Protect your eyes by choosing sunglasses that block ultraviolet rays.²

Quit smoking: Smoking has been linked to a higher risk of developing cataracts.^2,8

Eat a healthy diet: Make sure you’re getting important nutrients for eye health – like antioxidants – by including plenty of fruit and vegetables in your diet.² Studies haven’t proven that taking antioxidant pills can prevent cataracts,² but getting the right nutrients from your food may help to reduce your risk of getting cataracts or slow their growth.^2,9

Manage other medical conditions: If you have a condition that may increase your risk of cataracts (such as diabetes), make sure you follow your treatment plan.²

Click here to read about the health conditions and lifestyle factors that can increase your risk of cataracts.

Cataract Surgery: What to expect?

Your ophthalmic surgeon will remove the cloudy lens from your eye and replace it with an artificial lens.⁵ The replacement lens is also called an intraocular lens, or IOL.⁵ The procedure will be done using a local anaesthetic and should take about 10 to 20 minutes.⁵

DID YOU KNOW?

Surgery to remove a cataract is called phacoemulsification.⁵

Most people can go home on the same day after surgery,⁵ but if you have any other problems with your eyes you might need to stay overnight.⁵

After the operation, you might have to wear a protective pad over your eye for a couple of days.⁵ Your eye might feel a bit uncomfortable and itchy at first, and you might be sensitive to bright light.⁵

Recovering after Cataract surgery

While you’re recovering, you’ll need to use eye drops for several days or weeks to reduce any swelling and to make sure you don’t get an infection.⁵ You will probably also need to have a follow-up appointment with your ophthalmologist soon afterwards.⁵

Learn how to use your eye drops the right way with this quick and useful guide.

Watch the video here and read or download the PDF here.

You should be able to read or watch TV almost immediately after your surgery, although your vision might be a bit blurry at first.⁵ Your ophthalmologist will give you advice on when it’ll be safe for you to start driving again.⁵

If you need cataract surgery for both of your eyes, you’ll need to have two operations, about six weeks apart.⁵

Learn more about how to look after yourself while you recover with these 8 tips for after cataract surgery.

Watch the video here and read and download the PDF here.

What are the risks of Cataract surgery?

All operations, including cataract surgery, come with some risks.⁵ Most people recover from the procedure with no problems,⁵ but there is a small risk of complications.¹

The most common complication after cataract surgery is posterior capsule opacification, also called a secondary cataract.^1,10 This happens when scar tissue forms on the outside of the lens, making it cloudy again.¹⁰

Secondary cataracts can form weeks, months or even years after a cataract operation.¹ They can be treated quickly and easily in your ophthalmologist’s rooms, using a simple laser procedure.^1,10

NOTE: People with diabetes have a higher risk of complications after cataract surgery than non-diabetic patients.¹¹ Speak to your ophthalmologist about the possible risks.

It’s normal to feel some discomfort after your surgery, but if you have any unusual symptoms like pain, vision loss, redness, swelling or discharge, contact your ophthalmologist immediately.¹²