While no patient likes the thought of surgery, there are times when surgery is necessary to treat conditions of the eyes. Some of these surgeries are performed in the office using lasers or in our office minor surgery room, and some are performed in a hospital outpatient surgery center. Our doctors are sensitive to the fact that the decision to have surgery is sometimes not an easy one, and they believe it is important that you know the potential risks as well as the benefits of each surgery. At Allegheny West Eye Care, our patients know that the health and safety of their eyes are our main concern.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in this country, affecting more than 20 million Americans age 65 and older. A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens. When a cataract occurs, the light entering the eye is blocked and scattered, and therefore the image seen is blurred. Although cataracts may occur in people of all ages, it most commonly occurs as we age, typically affecting those in their 60s or 70s. When the cataract significantly impairs vision, patients can undergo surgery, removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a lens implant.
Today, cataract surgery is done with a topical anesthetic in about 15 - 20 minutes. In most cases, no shots or stitches are needed. And the implant lens, which replaces the natural lens of the eye which has been removed, continues to be improved upon, giving patients better and more natural vision. Patients return to most of their regular activities within days, and frequently are back to driving the day after surgery. And although a very small number of patients can have complications with surgery, it is highly successful in restoring vision in about 97 percent of patients.