Will My Cataracts Grow Back?
October 9th, 2018
A common misconception about cataracts is that they will grow back after cataract surgery. This is not the case. To understand why this isn’t possible, it is first important to know what exactly a cataract is.
What Is A Cataract?
A cataract affects the lens of your eye. The fluid that nourishes your eye is filled with proteins. As you age, these proteins can begin to clump up on your lens.
As the clumps grow larger and larger, they begin to block light from entering your eye. This causes blurry, distorted, and yellow vision, which is commonly known as a cataract.
Cataracts are unavoidable. They are a natural part of aging and everyone develops them given enough time. While the process of developing cataracts is not avoidable, you can slow it down.
Smoking, high blood sugar, and obesity could result in early cataracts. To avoid the development of early cataracts, you should consider lifestyle changes. These include quitting smoking, eating well, and exercising on a regular basis.
The Basics Of Cataract Surgery
If you are familiar with LASIK, the beginning of cataract surgery will seem very familiar. First, your eyes will be completely numbed with a localized anesthetic. Once your eyes are numb, a flap is made in the cornea. It is here that the similarities to LASIK end.
Since cataracts grow on the lens of the eye, they cannot be removed themselves. Instead, the entire lens gets removed and replaced with an IOL.
This is done through the use of an ultrasonic device or a laser. At this point, the laser or ultrasonic device breaks the lens apart. After the lens is broken apart, the pieces of the cataract are then removed with suction.
There are many different kinds of IOLs to choose from. The most basic form of IOLs is monofocal lenses. These IOLs focus light at one distance, either near or far. If you have monofocal IOLs, you will need to use glasses to see uncorrected distances.
Multifocal IOLs correct for both near and far vision. Accommodating IOLs are able to do the same. The advantage of accommodating IOLs is their ability to mimic how the lens moves. This ensures a smoother transition between focal lengths. If you have astigmatism, you can get Toric IOLs to correct for it.
After the pre-selected IOLs get put in, the flap is then lowered back down and allowed to heal stitch-free. Recovery can take several weeks or even a few months depending on the patient. During this time you will receive specific instructions on how to keep your eyes safe.
Cataracts cannot “grow back” because of their full removal during cataract surgery. Although it is rare, you could develop a secondary cataract as a complication. If this occurs, they are easy to remove. After cataract surgery, you will experience better vision almost immediately!
Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL specializes in cataract removal. Call or contact us to set up an appointment for a cataract screening today! Get your vision back and live life to the fullest!
