VISION, SLOW, PROGRESSIVE CHANGE IN, ACCOMPANIED BY GENERAL CLOUDINESS: TREATMENT
If you’re one of those people who develop a mild case of cataracts and your vision remains relatively stable, your doctor may suggest that you do nothing for the time being. She may prescribe special eyedrops, which will enlarge the pupil and thus reduce the effect the cataract has on your vision, and take a wait-and-see approach. But if the cataracts develop and begin to hamper your eyesight, the only treatment is surgical removal.
Because cataract removal is such a common and relatively simple procedure, the surgery can be done under local or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. During the operation, the lens of the affected eye is removed and a new, artificial lens is inserted in its place. The surgery takes about an hour, and the new lens may negate the need for glasses or contact lenses, since the surgeon can tailor a lens so that it will be the only corrective lens you’ll need.
My mother had her cataracts removed several years ago, and after the surgery she had to wear an eye patch for about a week. The family arranged for my sister to stay with her during that time, because we were concerned that she might fall because of her temporary loss of vision. Three weeks later, she was back to driving her car without wearing glasses.
For some people, however, a lens implant is unwise because of the shape and structure of the eye. In this case, when the lens is removed and no artificial lens is inserted, you will become farsighted. However, this condition can be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Cataract removal with or without lens implantation will improve most people’s vision. Sometimes, however, the eyesight will remain poor. In this case the problem may lie with the retina, and your doctor will be able to treat this condition as well.
*198\167\8*
Leave a comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.