Who Is a Candidate for Cataract Eye Surgery
Over time, untreated cataracts can interfere with your vision, making it difficult to see clearly at night, read, and perform other daily tasks. As the only effective method to treat cataracts, cataract eye surgery carefully removes the affected lens, before replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens.
As with any surgery, if you do need to treat cataracts, you’ll need to be considered as a suitable candidate for the procedure. Ensuring your suitability for any eye surgery is absolutely key to minimising risks, and raising the likelihood of a successful outcome. A thorough screening process before surgery also helps to clearly understand each patient’s needs and tailor the procedure as needed.
At Valley Eye Specialists in Brisbane, cataract eye surgery is performed by a highly experienced ophthalmologist at either Brisbane Day Surgery in Spring Hill or North West Private Hospital in Everton Park.
Read on to learn more about cataracts, what makes a suitable candidate for cataract surgery, and how you can find out If you are a suitable candidate for the procedure. If you’re worried about the health of your eyes, or the quality of your vision, please feel free to contact us to arrange a consultation and have your personal assessment!
What is a cataract?
A cataract involves the lens of the eye becoming cloudy and opaque, or the appearance of cloudy spots on the lens.
It is usually a degenerative condition, meaning that it slowly worsens over time if it is not treated. Cataracts often develop with age, commonly affecting those over the age of 70, although early stages of the condition can appear around age 40.
Apart from ageing, cataracts can also arise from eye injuries, exposure to radiation such as UV rays, and radiation therapy. They are also more prevalent among those with a family history of cataracts, smokers, and people with certain health conditions (such as diabetes). Cataracts can also appear in children, and they can be either present at birth or develop early on in childhood.
In the early stages, cataracts may not necessarily impact vision, but as symptoms develop, a thorough evaluation is key to preventing future vision issues.
Cataract surgery is currently the only effective solution to cataracts.
How do I know if I have a cataract?
If you notice that your vision has become blurry or cloudy, that you’re seeing cloudy spots, have double vision, a heightened sensitivity to light, seeing halos around lights, or have difficulty seeing at night or in dim lighting, these can all be symptoms of a cataract.
Those who have cataracts may also notice that they need to update their prescription for glasses or contact lenses more frequently due to changes in eyesight that cataracts can cause.
Even though early symptoms might start subtly, with mild blurriness or light sensitivity, they can eventually progress to more significant visual disturbances. This is why we recommend seeing an ophthalmologist for a consultation, even when you think your symptoms are quite mild.
Early on, blurry vision may initially seem like looking through a foggy window, and double vision can begin to make everyday tasks challenging. Light sensitivity might make it uncomfortable to be in bright environments, and seeing halos around lights can impair night driving.
While these are common symptoms of a cataract, they may also indicate that you are experiencing another type of eye condition. Therefore, it is important to have a thorough eye examination to properly identify any issues and to correctly diagnose a cataract.
Who is suitable for cataract eye surgery?
Cataract eye surgery is generally suitable for those who are experiencing vision impairments due to their cataract.
However, all surgeries will have some further requirements for candidates to meet, before they can undergo the procedure. Candidates for cataract surgery should be in good overall health, with any chronic conditions (such as diabetes) well-managed. Before being able to undergo surgery, patients should also not have any active infections or untreated eye diseases.
Other factors that would need to be considered are medical history, any previous surgeries, and any medications or supplements that a candidate is taking. Ophthalmologists may also need to consider lifestyle factors, such as smoking, as certain habits can affect the body’s healing after surgery.
Ultimately, an ophthalmologist who operates at Valley Eye will need to thoroughly evaluate the condition of your eyes, your overall health and other personal factors, before deciding if you are suitable for cataract eye surgery.
What will a pre-operative assessment involve?
Your consultation to find out if you are a suitable candidate for cataract surgery will include a thorough discussion and evaluation of the above factors, as well as an explanation of how the surgery can help, based on your personal situation.
Before undergoing cataract surgery, you’ll also require a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, diagnostic imaging, and precise measurements of your eye.
The specific type of diagnostic imaging needed will be explained to you during your consultation. Diagnostic imaging will help to clearly identify the cataract, and how far it has progressed and help to better understand how to approach the treatment.
Valley Eye Specialists: Cataract surgery with an experienced ophthalmologist in Brisbane
Are you concerned that you may have a cataract or another eye condition that could interfere with your vision? A consultation with an ophthalmologist at Valley Eye can help.
If you do require cataract surgery, your procedure will be performed by a highly trained and experienced ophthalmologist at Brisbane Day Surgery, or North West Private Hospital.
During your consultation, you will be able to learn more about what a cataract is, why you may be experiencing your particular symptoms, and what you can expect from cataract surgery. Eye surgery is a process that will involve careful preparation, and following some recovery instructions to support the health of your eye as it heals.
Please contact our team today to organise your consultation, or to learn more about our treatments for eye conditions.