The lens in our eyes bends incident light rays and gives us the ability to see. But clear vision depends solely on the clarity of the lens. Sometimes, the lens becomes cloudy and develops into a cataract, wherein the lens gets cloudy and turns your sight a bit hazy and less colorful. When it comes to treatment, doctors recommend surgery to improve your vision. Here is everything you need to know about cataract surgery.

Purpose of cataract surgery
Performing a cataract surgery helps remove the affected cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. The new intraocular lens (IOL) is flexible and is rolled before being inserted through a minuscule incision. Apart from improving vision, certain health conditions require the removal of a cataract, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related changes in the retina.

Types of IOLs
Each replacement lens comes with varying focusing power. Based on the lens selected, you may need to wear glasses after the surgery for some time. Before signing up for the procedure, consult an ophthalmologist about the various replacements and which one is suitable for you. You must also check with your insurance provider if the lenses and surgery are covered. The various types of lenses used for cataract surgery are

Multifocal IOLs
These lenses are designed for better close and far focus at the same time.

Toric IOLs
People with astigmatism opt for toric IOLs as these lenses help correct refractive errors.

Accommodative IOLs
The accommodative lenses offer focus at varying distances.

Monofocal IOLs
The lenses are designed to measure close, medium, or long-range distance vision accurately. People often prefer setting these lenses for better distant vision and stick to reading glasses for close sight.

When to opt for cataract surgery?
Having a cataract does not necessarily require surgery. Sometimes, you may not notice any change in vision. Several people prefer prescription glasses or better lighting instead of surgery. But as cataracts grow, the symptoms can become worse. Here are a few signs to show that you must consider cataract surgery:

Blurred or double vision
If your vision is getting dim, blurry, or doubled, getting cataract surgery is crucial. The symptoms can make reading a book or working on a computer difficult.

Poor vision at night
Deteriorated vision at night, sensitivity to glare from headlights, and failing the vision section of a driving test are signs of severe cataract.

Large cataract
Developing a cataract with no other symptoms may also require surgery. A cataract that grows can occupy more space inside the eye and increase pressure.

Types of cataract surgery
Before performing cataract surgery, the doctor will administer eye drops to dilate the pupil. Anesthetics are then used to numb the area of surgery and to help you relax. While you might be awake during the surgery, you will not feel any pain because of the sedative. Common surgeries performed for replacing cataracts

Phacoemulsification
This procedure is also known as small-incision cataract surgery. The doctor makes a small opening in the eye beside the outer corner. A small device then emits ultrasound waves to dissolve the core, which is the toughened part of the affected lens. The residue of the cataract is then extracted with another suction device.

Extracapsular surgery
In this procedure, the surgeon makes a longer opening on the top portion of the eye. Extracapsular surgery helps extract the hard center of the lens and removes any cataract remnant via suction. The cloudy lens is replaced by an intraocular lens for better vision.

Complications
Although cataract surgery is normally safe, there are rare occasions where people experience complications like

• Bleeding
• Drooping eyelids
• A temporary spike in eye pressure
• Swelling
• Retinal detachment

Post-surgery care
Once cataract surgery is successfully performed, your eyes will itchy. You may also feel a tearing sensation and feel highly sensitive to bright lights, but these effects are temporary. The things you must do after getting cataract surgery are

• Using eye drops prescribed by the doctor to prevent infections.
• Avoiding tasks that may apply pressure on the eyes.
• Wearing protective gear for the first week after surgery.

Completely recovering from cataract surgery takes about eight weeks. You may, sometimes, find your vision turning blurry again. This effect occurs when the artificial lens starts to thicken up, resulting in a complication called posterior capsule opacification. Such an issue may occur months or years after the surgery. To remedy this issue, the doctor may recommend YAG laser surgery.