Cataract surgery is performed on individuals who have cataracts or a clouding inside of the eye. Cataracts can cause a loss of vision that cannot be corrected with other surgery options like LASIK, or corrective lenses such as glasses or contacts.
Cataract surgery is highly effective at eliminating most of the vision problems associated with cataracts, or the buildup of protein in the eye. In many cases the procedure can reduce a person’s need to wear eyeglasses entirely. Cataracts typically affect those who are 40 years of age or older and are relatively common, with more than 200,000 cases in the US per year. This number is expected to grow significantly in the upcoming years as the result of an aging population.
By the year 2050, it is estimated that there may be over 50 million Americans with cataracts. However, cataract surgery is without a doubt one of the safest and best surgeries, with an extremely high success rate. Some testing is required prior to the surgery which includes an A-scan to measure the length of the eye, as well as Keratometry, which is used in order to measure the curve of the cornea. Over 3 million surgeries are performed each year and the vast majority of these surgeries have excellent outcomes, both for the recovery of the patient and for improved vision. The surgery is typically performed on an outpatient basis and does not require a hospital stay. Our senses play a vital role in our day to day lives, that is why it is so important that you take good care of your eyes!
If you or someone you know is experiencing a loss of vision, please contact our team at Eye Michigan online or by phone at (248) 221-1022.