As your eyes age, there are some things that you can usually expect. For example, it is likely that you will start to see the sharp vision of your youth become a bit more dull. However, there are also other eye conditions to be considered and cataracts are one example. Cataracts are excess proteins that build up on the lens of the eye, which can cause your vision to seem cloudy or distorted.
In 2011, there were at least 1,100 cataract surgeries performed per 100,000 people. If you end up being one of these people, it is likely that others will be happy to share what they think are facts about cataract surgery. However, there are a lot of myths that float around about recovering from this corrective procedure.
Myth: Once you have cataract surgery, the cataracts can come back later.
Fact: When the surgery is performed to remove cataracts, the lens is replaced with a synthetic version, which will not sustain the growth of new cataracts. Therefore, the condition cannot return once surgery has been performed. The only follow-up surgery that would have to be performed is if something goes wrong with the synthetic lens, such as posterior capsular opacification, or clouding of the new lens.
Myth: When you have cataract surgery, your eyes become super-sensitive to sunlight.
Fact: Immediately after surgery, sunlight should be avoided so that your eye heals properly. This is only a temporary requirement and once healed, your eyes will typically react to the sunlight in much the same way. However, it is always recommended that you wear UV protective sunglasses when you are in the sun for the benefit of your vision.
Myth: Recovery from cataract surgery involves a great deal of pain and discomfort.
Fact: There is little severe pain involved with recovery from cataract surgery. There is only a tiny incision made in your eye with a laser. The main discomfort will be from dryness and some burning. Some patients claim that it feels like they have something in their eye temporarily. But, these symptoms do quickly pass and are usually treatable with pain-relieving eye drops that will be prescribed by your optometrist.
If you are planning an upcoming cataract surgery, talk openly with your doctor in advance about what to expect. Once you do, you will feel much more at ease with the whole process and completely understand what you should expect during recovery. If you are interested in cataract surgery, consider going to a clinic like The Eye Center for treatment.
Share3 June 2015
I knew that my hearing wasn’t as good as it had once been, but I was still upset when my doctor told me that I had a significant hearing loss in both ears, and that I was going to need hearing aids if I wanted to participate more fully in my day to day life. But then I started researching hearing aids. I was thrilled to find out that there were small, barely visible aids that could help me hear without marking me as hearing impaired on first glance. Even better, the hearing aids were much more advanced than I’d thought. The ones that I chose can actually help cancel out environmental noise, like the clatter of a loud restaurant, so that I can focus on conversation with the waitress or the person across the table. My hearing aids have really improved my life.
