Cataracts are a natural part of the eye’s natural aging process. As proteins inside of your eye’s lens break down, they begin to clump together.
These clumps start small, but very gradually, they grow in size. As they become more prominent, they begin to block light from entering your eye. The only way to deal with this problem is to completely remove the natural lens and replace it with an artificial lens.
Once a new, artificial lens is in place, you will be able to see clearly once again. You may wonder, however, if you can get cataracts again once they have been removed.
Keep reading to learn if you can get cataracts twice!
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Removing the lens from your eye is a straightforward procedure. Eye doctors have been performing cataract surgery for a long time, and the operation has advanced through the years.
Cataract surgery takes between ten to twenty minutes to complete.
To remove your natural lens from your eye, your cataract surgeon will create a small opening in your cornea using a laser.
Next, they will use an instrument to carefully break apart your natural lens, and then they will remove it through the opening in the cornea. However, everyone needs a lens to be able to see.
That is why your cataract surgeon puts a new, artificial lens in its place called an intraocular lens or IOL. Depending on what kind of IOL you pick, you may be able to reduce your dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.
What Kind of IOLs Are Available?
The most basic and least expensive IOL is the monofocal IOL. If you choose a standard, monofocal IOL, you will still need to use glasses for many activities.
Standard, monofocal IOLs only correct for either near or far vision. Most people who choose to have monofocal IOls will have them correct their distance vision.
This means they will still require glasses to do any near activities like reading and possibly cooking. Premium IOLs, on the other hand, can reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses.
Even if you’ve worn glasses your entire life, premium IOLs may be your ticket to visual freedom. While they are more costly, most people value the quality of life improvement over the cost.
The best way to determine which lens will best accomplish your visual goals, schedule a cataract evaluation at Stahl Eyecare in Garden City, New York.
Since there are no proteins inside the IOL, you don’t need to worry about cataracts coming back.
What About Secondary Cataracts?
While new cataracts cannot grow inside IOLs, you can develop something called a secondary cataract. A secondary cataract, also known as posterior capsular opacification, or PCO, is not the same as a normal cataract.
Instead of changes happening inside the lens, the membrane holding the new IOL develops scar tissue. PCO can cause symptoms similar to cataracts.
However, you do not need cataract surgery to restore vision affected by PCO. Instead of changes in the lens, secondary cataracts are caused by the formation of scar tissue in the membrane that holds the lens.
Although secondary cataracts are common after cataract surgery, it is very treatable. To treat secondary cataracts or PCO, your eye doctor will use a laser to remove the scar tissue that is affecting your vision.
Are you experiencing blurry vision after cataract surgery? Schedule an appointment at Stahl Eyecare Experts in Garden City, NY, today!
