Can My Vision Change After Having Cataract Surgery?

A cataract is the clouding or opacification of the natural lens inside the eye. It is estimated that one in six people in the U.S. over the age of 40 are in the early stages of cataract development. This risk increases as we age, and by age 75 there is a 50% chance of being visually affected by cataracts. It is no surprise that more and more people turn to Cataract Surgery to restore their vision every year, and that it is one of the most commonly performed procedures in the U.S., with over 15 million performed annually.

If you are one of the millions suffering from age-related cataracts, our Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery aims to restore clear vision, and also aims to decrease your dependency on both distance and reading glasses. Read on to learn more about how Dr. Bansal uses advanced laser technology to permanently remove cataracts and restore clear vision during surgery.

Remove Cataracts Permanently with Advanced Laser Cataract Surgery

At LaserVue Eye Center, we offer all of our patients the most advanced refractive surgical techniques and technology. Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery is a 100% blade-free approach that is more precise than any other cataract surgery technique.

Your eye surgeon will use a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser to easily fragment and break up the cataract, rather than using traditional phacoemulsification, which uses ultrasonic energy to break up the natural lens. With less energy applied to the eye, there is less risk of inflammation and complications after surgery. These fragments are then vacuumed out with a small device through a small self-healing incision, also made by the laser. The surgeon will then replace your natural lens with an intraocular lens implant (IOL), calculated to the proper power to restore your eye’s good vision.

Can Cataracts Grow Back After Having Surgery?

Cataracts cannot grow back; however, there is the chance of developing a film or opacification on the back of the lens implant, often called a “secondary cataract”.

Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO)

Posterior Capsule Opacification – also known as Cloudy Lens Capsule – occurs when the natural capsule holding the IOL in place becomes cloudy and obstructs your vision. PCO affects only about 10% of patients after cataract surgery, and can be easily eliminated with a very simple in-office laser procedure that will restore clear vision. Typically this procedure is only needed once after cataract surgery.

Possible Vision Changes After Cataract Surgery

While cataracts cannot grow back, there can be circumstances that occur following cataract surgery that can affect or comprise your vision.

Multifocal Lens Adjustment Period

Multifocal lenses make it possible for you to once again see clearly at multiple distances. Some patients experience an adjustment period with new multifocal lenses that can cause blurred vision or a 3-D shadow. Most patients adapt to the multifocal vision immediately, while others experience these symptoms for about a week as their eyes get used to the lenses.

Age-Related Eye Conditions

Naturally, as we age there are a number of changes that occur in our eyes that can affect our vision.

Age-Related Macular Degeneration

35% of people in the U.S. over the age of 75 are at risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. This eye disease causes the central part of your retina called the macula, to wear down. If left untreated this disease will advance and leave you completely blind.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a common age-related eye condition that affects your optic nerve which can result in blind spots in your vision. 2.7 million people over the age of 40 are affected by glaucoma.

Floaters

As the eye ages normally, the gel inside the eye called the vitreous, liquefies over time, and the collagen fibers can clump together causing visually disturbing “floaters” in the vision. There may be an increase in floaters initially following cataract surgery, but generally are less noticeable over time.

Routine eye exams are essential in maintaining optimal eye health and detecting any eye diseases after cataract surgery.