Cataract Surgery

Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in decreased vision that gets progressively worse over time. Many patients opt for cataract eye surgery to improve their vision.

Surgical cataract removal is usually optional. It is done primarily to improve vision and quality of life. In most cases, the decision to have cataract surgery is entirely the patient’s.

More rarely, a cataract may impair the treatment of other eye problems. If this is the case, a physician may recommend surgery. Other possible cataract treatment options include stronger glasses or bifocals. Patients should discuss these alternatives with their ophthalmologists.

Cataract eye surgery involves the removal of the natural, clouded lens of the eye and its subsequent replacement with a clear, artificial lens. The cataract surgery procedure is usually performed under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The entire cataract surgery usually takes less than an hour.