Can I Get Cataracts More Than Once?
July 23rd, 2024
If you need cataract surgery, you’re probably apprehensive. It’s normal to be nervous before any procedure.
However, there’s no reason to delay cataract surgery if you need it. Not only is the procedure safe and effective, but it can also bring you the visual freedom you’ve been waiting for.
You may wonder if cataracts can return after surgery and whether you will have to undergo the procedure again. Keep reading to learn more about whether you can get cataracts more than once.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. Typically, the lens of the eye is perfectly clear and allows light through to the retina.
Over time, however, protein deposits can build up on the lens, obstructing light and affecting how well you can see. Most cataracts are age-related and develop in people over 65 years of age. Some cataracts are congenital, while others occur due to illness or injury.
When cataracts first develop, you may not even know you have them. They can be very small, so they don’t have any noticeable effects on your vision.
Over time, the cataracts will get larger. As they cover more of the lens, you may notice changes to your vision. Symptoms of cataracts include:
- Increased blurriness
- Difficulty seeing in low light
- Colors seem dimmer or duller
- Glare or halos around lights
- Double vision
Eventually, cataracts can cause blank or cloudy spots in your vision. These changes can make everyday activities difficult or impossible.
No medications or lifestyle changes can completely treat or prevent cataracts. Cataract surgery is the only way to reverse vision changes due to cataracts.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
During cataract surgery, your cataract surgeon at Laser Eye Center will use special eye drops to numb your eyes before starting the procedure. Then, they will make small incisions along the edge of your cornea.
They will remove the natural lens of the eye that has become clouded with cataracts and replace it with an intraocular lens, or IOL. Your eyes will likely heal on their own within a few weeks, and you can enjoy your clearer vision free of cataracts.
Can Cataracts Come Back After Surgery?
Once you have had cataract surgery, there is no chance of recurrence. The IOL that replaces the natural lens of your eye cannot develop the protein deposits that cause cataracts.
There is a condition that is sometimes called “secondary cataracts“, but that is a bit of a misnomer. Posterior capsule opacity (PCO) can happen after cataract surgery when the thin membrane around the IOL gets cloudy or hazy and blocks light.
The result is vision changes similar to cataracts. Your eye doctor can quickly correct PCO with a five-minute procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy.
Using a specialized laser, your eye doctor can make a tiny opening in the membrane, which restores vision immediately. Since there is no incision, there is no recovery time.
Can Cataracts Be Cured?
Surgery is the only cure for cataracts, but you may not need surgery for a long time after diagnosis. Cataracts can develop very slowly, and you may be able to accommodate cataract-related vision changes for a limited time with simple changes such as:
- Changing your prescription for glasses or contacts
- increasing the brightness of computer screens and other devices
- Using magnifying lenses for reading
- Using bright lighting in your home or office.
Eventually, all cataracts will reach a point where you need cataract surgery to restore clear vision. Once you have the procedure, you can rest assured knowing your cataracts won’t return.
Are you experiencing symptoms of cataracts? Schedule an appointment at Laser Eye Center in Huntsville, AL, today!
