From Blurry Vision to Crystal Clear: Why Cataract Surgery Is Worth It
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process that occurs within the eyes. This means that everyone will eventually develop them.
However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for blurry vision. Cataract surgery can restore your vision and even provide you with greater visual freedom than ever.
Keep reading to find out why cataract surgery is worth it and can bring your vision from blurry to crystal clear!
What Is a Cataract?
As you age, the proteins within your eye’s natural lens tend to deteriorate and clump together. This results in a cloudiness that is not typically present in a healthy lens.
The lens plays a crucial role in focusing light onto your retina, which helps form images that your brain can interpret. When the lens becomes cloudy, it interferes with this process and can lead to a range of symptoms.
Cataracts develop gradually over time, so it may be years before you notice any signs. While not painful, they can cause symptoms including:
- Blurry vision
- Trouble seeing at night
- Glare and halos around bright lights
- Trouble perceiving contrast
- Double vision in one eye
- Light sensitivity
- Needing additional light for up-close activities
- Fading of colors
Age-related cataracts typically begin forming in your forties, and although most cataracts result from aging, they can develop earlier in life due to other causes. In addition to aging, cataracts can also develop as a result of trauma to the eye, conditions like diabetes, and medications like steroids.
Cataracts are not preventable, but there are some lifestyle choices you can make to lower your likelihood of developing one early. Risk factors for cataracts include ultraviolet light exposure, smoking, poor diet, high alcohol consumption, obesity, and hypertension.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is the only treatment for cataracts. In order to restore vision affected by cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon will remove your natural lens where the cataract is and replace it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL.
The IOL is intended to act like your natural lens, except it’s clear and cataract-free. First, your cataract surgeon will apply anesthetic drops to ensure that the procedure is as comfortable as possible for you. 
Next, your cataract surgeon will create a small incision in the front part of your eye, called the cornea, through which a small instrument is inserted. This instrument is used to gently break up the clouded lens.
Then, another instrument is used to remove the tiny pieces of the lens. With the lens removed, your cataract surgeon will insert the new IOL.
The folded-up IOL is inserted through the same opening. Once your cataract surgeon positions it properly, your eye is then left to heal on its own.
The incision made on your cornea is so small that no stitches are necessary.
What Are the Benefits of Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery has an excellent success rate, and the procedure has made many advancements through the years. Millions of people have been able to achieve clear vision thanks to this straightforward but life-changing procedure.
After cataract surgery, not only is your vision clearer, but colors are brighter, your night vision improves, and a cataract is no longer causing frustrating symptoms like light sensitivity and halos. On top of that, you will never have to worry about getting a cataract again. 
They are unable to form on the artificial surface of the IOL. When it comes to IOLs, you have options.
IOLs offer an opportunity for you to take control of your visual future and do more than just have your cataract removed. They can allow you to see even better than you could before you had a cataract.
You can choose between a standard and a premium IOL. With a standard monofocal IOL, many patients still need to wear glasses after cataract surgery.
This is because a monofocal lens only corrects your vision at one distance. By choosing a premium lens, you can significantly reduce your need for visual aids and unlock greater visual freedom.
Your eye doctor at Complete Eyecare West can help you select the best IOL for you, depending on your visual goals.
How Do You Know When It’s Time for Cataract Surgery?
Not everyone will require cataract surgery right away when first diagnosed with cataracts. In most cases, cataract surgery is recommended when the symptoms begin to interfere with your everyday life.
Because they develop so gradually, it can be years before cataracts begin to significantly impact your vision. In the early stages, many people are able to make up for the mild effects of a cataract on their vision by using reading glasses, turning on additional lights for up-close tasks, or getting an updated prescription.
When a cataract begins to affect your daily life, it’s time to consider cataract surgery. If ordinary tasks like driving, cooking, and reading have become difficult because of a cataract, surgery is typically recommended.
There’s no reason to prolong your symptoms when such an effective treatment is available.
Would you like to get rid of your cataract and see crystal clear? Schedule a cataract evaluation at Complete EyeCare West in Columbus, OH, today!
