Frequently Asked Questions

As with any surgery, cataract surgery poses risks, such as infection and bleeding. Before cataract surgery, your doctor might ask you to temporarily stop taking certain medications that increase your risk of bleeding during surgery. After surgery, you must keep your eye clean, wash your hands before touching your eye, and use the medications your eye doctor prescribes to help minimize the risk of infection. A severe infection can result in loss of vision. Having cataract surgery puts a person at a slightly higher risk of retinal tear or detachment. People with other eye disorders, such as high myopia (nearsightedness), are at even higher risk of retinal detachment after cataract surgery. Ask your eye doctor about the risks you face from surgery. They can help you make the decision that is right for you.

Cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery. It improves vision in over 95 percent of cases. It is also one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States.

You can return quickly to many everyday activities, but your vision might be blurry. The eye that is healing needs time to adjust and focus properly with the other eye, especially if the other eye has a cataract. Ask your doctor when you can start driving again. If you received an IOL, colors might appear very bright. This is because the IOL is clear, while your natural lens might have had a yellowish/brownish tint. Within a few months after receiving an IOL, you will become used to your improved color vision. When your eye heals, you might need new glasses or contact lenses.