Cataracts can developed over a long period of time but their symptoms are often completely unnoticed until sight begins to be affected. An eye check up will spot the condition early on, but while blindness can be the worst case scenario, it is not necessary to wait until then to have cataract surgery done. The idea that having the cataract lens removed when all else fails is a common misconception. Unlike some other eye conditions, procedures can be applied at a relatively early stage. But it is only necessary to act when the cataracts symptoms have reached a stage where the everyday life of a patient is being impacted on. The problem is that during the early stages of cataracts, surgery is not usually deemed to be necessary. In fact, it is usually possible for the symptoms to be countered by simply getting prescription glasses or contact lenses and, at the earliest stages, for improvement to be made through a change in eating habits and lifestyle. But these measures just slow down the progress of the condition, at the very best, and are not cures. The truth is that there are no non surgical treatments available to completely remove the cataracts. To do so, surgery is necessary.
The question on the minds of most people, however, is when surgery can take place, and the quick answer is when the symptoms have begun to affect the quality of life for the patient. These symptoms can range quite drastically in terms of how much they might affect the life of the patient.
In essence, the condition is caused by a clouding of the eye lens, and generally occurs later in life as the flexibility of the lens lessens due to age. That is why around 60 per cent of people in the over 55 age group develop cataracts. However, before the lens clouds up to any great degree, leaving the patient with foggy sight, the cataracts can go unnoticed for quite some time.
The eyesight can be affected in many ways, from cloudy or fuzzy vision to a general reduction in the vibrancy of colours, and from dark spots in vision to an extreme sensitivity to light. The ultimate stage of the condition will see vision lost completely. Of course, there is no reason at all why it should get to that stage. Surgery is quite simple and very affordable, while the fact that the procedure can take little more than 20 minutes on each eye means that it is quite convenient too. And as for the timing of the surgery, it can take place at pretty much any time. Once the quality of sight begins to fall, then a visit to your eye doctor can begin the road to surgery and a return to near perfect eye sight. The technology now used in the procedure is so precise that the success rate is amongst the highest in eye care. The whole process begins with a detailed, in depth consultation to ascertain the extent of the condition and the best possible steps to take.
Once surgery is agreed, the most convenient time can be chosen for the patient to have surgery. The procedure itself involves removing the natural lens that has been clouded over, and replacing it with the intraocular lens chosen during the consultation.
After cataract surgery, the patient relaxes in a recovery room until they feel ready to go home. A detailed recovery plan is provided to ensure the right steps are taken to aid recovery, while a checkup is arranged for a week after the procedure to assess the progress being made. Further checkups can also be scheduled, if it is deemed necessary.
What is important to remember is that, with cataracts, symptoms generally cause no pain. This is why some people are willing to put getting surgery on the back burner. However, there is no reason why this should be done, as the procedure itself is relatively painless too.
In dealing with cataracts, surgery is the only way to remove them for good. Waiting until the condition has fully developed is unnecessary, and a return to near perfect eye sight can be enjoyed as soon as your consultant gives the green light.