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What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. The lens focuses light rays on the retina at the back of the eye to produce a sharp image of what we see. When the lens becomes cloudy, the light rays cannot pass easily through it, and the image becomes blurry.

Cataracts usually develop as part of the aging process, but can also come from:

• Eye injuries;
• Certain diseases;
• Medications;
• Genetic inheritance.

How can a Cataract be treated?

The cataract may need no treatment at all if the vision is only a little blurry. A change in your eyeglass prescription may improve vision for a while.

There are no medications, eye drops, exercises or glasses that will cause cataracts to disappear once they have formed. When you are not able to see well enough to do the things you like to do, cataract surgery should be considered. Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract.

Cataracts cannot be removed with a laser, only through a surgical incision. In cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant

How is the surgery done?

Under an operating microscope, a small incision is made into the eye. Microsurgical instruments are used to fragment and suction the cloudy lens from the eye. The back membrane of the lens (called the posterior capsule) is left in place.

A plastic intraocular lens implant will be placed inside the eye to replace the natural lens that was removed. The incision is usually self-sealing without stitches.

When is laser used?

The posterior capsule sometimes turns cloudy several months or years after the original cataract operation. If this blurs your vision, a clear opening can be made painlessly in the center of the membrane with a laser. Laser surgery is never part of the original cataract operation.

Will cataract surgery improve my vision?

Over 95% of cataract surgeries improve vision. Complications are rare, but your eye doctor will monitor for them following the procedure.

Even if the surgery itself is successful other problems with the eye, such as macular degeneration (aging of the retina), glaucoma and diabetic damage may limit vision after surgery. Even with such problems, cataract surgery may still be worth-while.

If the eye is healthy, the chances are excellent that you will have good vision following removal of your cataract.

What can I expect if I decide to have surgery?

Before surgery

When you and your eyecare provider have decided that you will have your cataract removed, be sure to mention any special medical risks you may have. Ask your eyecare provider if you should continue your usual medications.

Your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye during surgery.

The day of surgery

Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast, depending on the time of your surgery. Upon arrival for surgery, you will be given eyedrops, and perhaps medications to help you relax.

A local anesthetic will make the operation painless. You will be awake during the procedure and you will be able to see light and movement. You do not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed.

The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleaned, and sterile coverings will be placed around your head. When the operation is over, the surgeon may place a shield over your eye.

After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. You should plan to have someone else drive you home.

Following surgery

• Use the eye drops as prescribed
• Be careful not to rub or press on your eye
• Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary
• Avoid very strenuous activities
• Continue normal daily activities
• Ask your doctor when you can begin driving
• Wear eyeglasses or shield as advised by your doctor

You will have several post operative visits following the procedure to monitor the recovery of the eye. In most cases the recovery is quick and painless. The procedure changes your eyeglass prescription and often reduces or eliminates the need for eyeglasses for distance vision. New eyeglasses are usually prescribed about a month after the procedure.

You may choose to have either the surgeon or your Optometrist perform your post-operative care. The three surgeons that perform cataract surgery at Uvalde Memorial Hospital all live in San Antonio. You will be given the option of continuing your care with your Optometrist once the surgeon feels that your eye is stable. One of the Optometrists at The Eye Center of Uvalde is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If a complication should occur that needs additional treatment by your surgeon, you may have to travel to San Antonio for that procedure.

Surgical Options

There are three surgeons who travel to Uvalde to perform cataract surgery:

Stuart A. Terry, M.D.

Dr. Terry performs cataract surgery at the Ocular Surgery Center in San Antonio and at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. Dr. Terry will perform his one day post operative care at The Eye Center of Uvalde.

Sanjiv Kumar, M.D.

Dr. Kumar performs cataract surgery at Uvalde Memorial Hospital. He performs his one day post operative care at his office in Uvalde.

Arlo Terry, M.D.