Surgery for cataract removal is a very common procedure. A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which can begin to causes decreased vision. When the lens becomes too cloudy and begins causing vision problems, optometrists will often recommend surgery for cataract removal.

A cataract surgery specialist will then do a full exam to determine if the cataract is ready to undergo surgery for cataract removal. The household term is often “when the cataracts are ripe.” Cataracts do not become “ripe” of course, but they do develop slowly over time. Only when cataracts become a major problem do surgeons recommend surgery for cataract removal.

Before cataract surgery, doctors will start the patient on eye drops that will need to be taken in the weeks before the surgery for cataract removal. Always follow your doctor’s recommendations and inform them of any medications you are on before the surgery for cataract removal. Many drugs can cause complications so they must be disclosed before surgery.

After surgery for cataract removal there will be many follow up appointments to check on the healing process. Surgery for cataract removal is very common, and complications are rare. Most patients begin the process for having their second surgery for cataract removal immediately after the first surgery. This overlapping helps minimize the time between cataract surgeries and also saves extra trips to the surgeon’s office. By doing both the postoperative exam for the first eye and the pre operative exam for the second, two appointments can be combined into one. This can be a huge time saver.

Always remember to ask questions before surgery for cataract removal and keep your doctor informed of all changes during and after your surgery. It is always best to catch cataract surgery complications early so the surgery for cataract removal goes successfully!