When you have cataracts, you have blurry or clouded vision. With the help of cataract surgery at Nevada Eye Physicians, we can help correct vision problems, such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness. The most obvious benefit of cataract surgery is to see clearer. However, cataract surgery can also improve your quality of life. Cataracts prevent you from being able to do everyday tasks, like driving or reading. Our vision professionals can perform a comprehensive eye exam to determine the best possible surgical option for your eye health. We perform cataract surgery at each of our seven locations in Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Pahrump.
Symptoms of cataracts
Cataracts occur when there is a change in the proteins of the lens in the eye. These proteins make the lens cloudy and prevent light from passing through. This contributes to vision loss.
Some common symptoms of cataracts include:
- Sensitivity to light
- Blurry, cloudy, or dim vision
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Difficulty driving at night
- Frequent changes in eye prescription
- Double vision in one or both eyes
At first, the cloudiness of the cataract may only affect some of the eye’s lens. As it grows larger, over time, it can cloud more of the lens. We can exam and diagnose you with cataracts during a standard eye exam.
What to expect during cataract surgery
Most lens replacement procedures are done while the patient is under local anesthesia, and eye drops are used to numb the eye’s surface. You are awake for the procedure and your vision will be extremely blurry. Most patients feel no pain during their surgery, which lasts less than a half-hour. A laser is used to break up and remove the damaged lens. The new lens is inserted where the cloudy lens was in the eye.
After surgery, your eyes may feel itchy and be sensitive to light. This is normal and usually subsides in just a day or two. Apply the medicated eye drops we gave you immediately in order to help with healing and to prevent infection. Do not rub or touch your eyes after surgery. Driving is not recommended.
Intraocular lens options
At Nevada Eye Physicians, we offer different intraocular lenses to choose from for your cataract surgery, including:
- Standard: These lenses correct for either near or distance, but not both. The patient will still have to use glasses or contacts for the uncorrected range of vision.
- Multifocal: These lenses help those with presbyopia and can provide clear vision for both near and far objects.
- Toric: This is a monofocal lens that treats astigmatism. They can correct distance vision, but most patients still need glasses for reading.
Ultimately, it is with this intraocular lens that your vision is corrected.
How long does it take to get clear vision after cataract surgery?
Generally, after two to three months after cataract surgery, your vision should be clear. If you have any residual farsightedness, nearsightedness, or astigmatism, you will need glasses. To reduce this need for glasses, consider laser vision correction procedures such as LASIK or PRK. During your follow-up visits to Nevada Eye Physicians, our vision professionals can track your healing and determine when your vision is stabilized.
What happens when cataracts are left untreated?
Cataract surgery isn’t always the first recommendation for someone who develops cataracts. Cataracts are common and don’t always worsen to the point where surgery is necessary. However, untreated cataracts can become hyper-mature, which makes them difficult to remove. This is why many of our patients choose to have laser cataract surgery early on because of the risk of leaving them untreated.
Achieve clear vision following cataract surgery
At Nevada Eye Physicians, our vision professionals help treat patients with cataracts throughout Nevada. During an eye exam, we examine your eye health and offer the most professional opinion on the best treatment for your cataracts. To schedule an appointment to learn about cataract surgery, call one of our seven locations in Nevada, including Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Pahrump. Ultimately, an early diagnosis allows us to help you improve your quality of life.
