Follow Healthline   |   Healthline on TwitterTwitter   |   Healthline on FacebookFacebook
Symptom Search   |   Treatment Search   |   Doctor Search   |   Drug Search

Cataract removal Health Article

Advertisement
Marketplace
Licensed from
Page: 1 2 3 Next >

Definition

Cataract removal is a procedure to remove a clouded lens (cataract) from the eye. Cataracts are removed to improve vision. The procedure almost always includes placing an artificial lens in the eye.

Alternative Names

Cataract extraction; Cataract surgery

Description

The normal lens of the eye is transparent (clear). As a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy and blocks light from entering your eye. Without enough light, you cannot see as clearly.

Cataracts are painless. Mostly, they develop in the elderly. But sometimes children are born with clouded lenses that are caused by infections or other problems before birth. These are called congenital cataracts.

Surgery is usually recommended for people who cannot see well because of their cataracts. The surgery is performed in a hospital or surgery center in an outpatient clinic.

  • Adults are usually awake for the procedure. You will receive local anesthesia (numbing medicine) to block pain and a sedative to relax you.
  • Children usually receive general anesthesia to make them unconscious and unable to feel pain.

Looking through a microscope, the doctor will make a small incision (cut) in the eye. The surgeon then removes the lens. It can be removed in several ways, depending upon the type of cataract you have. Two ways to remove it are:

A man-made lens, called an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), is usually placed next. It will help improve your vision.

The doctor will close the incision with very small sutures (stitches) or use a self-sealing (sutureless) method. If sutures are placed, they may need to be removed later.

The surgery usually lasts less than an hour. Most times, just one eye is done. If both eyes need it, your surgeon may recommend waiting 1 to 2 months before having cataract surgery on the other eye.

Page: 1 2 3 Next >
Reviewer Info: Paul B. Griggs, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle , WA . Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.; ADAM Health Illustrated Encyclopedia, 02/17/2009
 
3D Body Maps
Related Learning
Centers
·As a Treatment
Advertisement
Back to Top