Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of your eye. As it progresses, a cataract can interfere with your ability to see clearly. Cataracts most often are a result of aging, although the age at which they interfere with your quality of life varies widely.

How can my cataract be eliminated?
No way currently exists to eliminate a cataract -- except with surgery. A lens implant made of plastic materials is placed in almost every patient undergoing cataract surgery to replace the natural hazy lens.

Cataract surgery is performed when the cataract impairs your ability to read, drive or perform other activities of daily living.

Cataract surgery almost always is performed as an outpatient procedure. You will return home the same day after cataract surgery and return to the physician’s office usually the following day.

What should I expect after surgery?
Eyedrops are used for four to six weeks to accelerate the healing process and prevent infection. Vision usually is greatly improved after the first four weeks, although you may see better after one to two days. Your activity will be limited for the first week after surgery to avoid any harm to the eye in the healing phase.

Cataract surgery has become one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine and 95 percent of patients have improved vision after this procedure. Complications such as bleeding and infection can occur but are quite rare. You probably will require a new glasses prescription after cataract surgery, more often for reading.

Why should I come to Loyola for cataract surgery?
Loyola University Medical Center is a leader in state-of-the-art small-incision, suture-less cataract surgery. Your condition is unique, and you should discuss the specifics of surgery with your ophthalmologist.