Cataract surgery is the most effective treatment for cataracts. In the age of information, knowledge about the procedure, its history, and its process is practically at your fingertips. Here are 12 pieces of trivia about the treatment that your friends will definitely appreciate.
Your Lunch Break Takes Longer Than The Surgery
The procedure itself is very quick, with most treatments being completed in as fast 10 minutes. Some surgeries can be as long as 30 minutes, but that's still faster than getting lunch on a workday.
The Results Are Quick
The average healing time for cataract surgery is around six weeks. Most patients reach full recovery after three months. The results, however, often come before. Some patients report having clear vision just a few hours after the treatment. Others only need to wait for several days or weeks.
Surgery Used To Be Messier
In the past, extracting the cataract involved inserting a hollow needle into the eye. The surgeon's assistant then sucked the lens nucleus with their mouth at the other end of the needle. Today, this process is done with a special apparatus after the cataract has been fragmented using ultrasound or laser.
You Can Regain 20/20 Vision Because Of It
Cataracts can cause your vision to become blurry. Surgery will let you enjoy normal vision, especially with the right intraocular lens (IOL). If you have become blind because of cataracts, surgery will help you see again. Some people gain 20/40 vision instead of 20/20, but such an outcome is largely considered acceptable.
It doesn't use general anesthesia
You are not put to sleep during surgery. Your doctor will give you a mild sedative to help you relax and local anesthesia to numb the pain. You may experience slight discomfort during the procedure, but surgery is painless for the most part.
The IOL Was Invented Thanks To World War II
The IOL used to replace the extracted lens is made from acrylic. This is because the eyes don't reject acrylic resin the same way it does glass. This was observed by the IOL's inventor, Sir Harold Ridley, in RAF pilots in World War II, some of whom had shattered pieces of acrylic canopy embedded in their eyes.
Cataracts Are A One-Time Deal
They don't grow back. If you've had successful cataract surgery once, you most likely won't have it done again. Secondary cataracts are not actual cataracts, but their symptoms are similar. They are fixed using another session of surgery.
Cataracts Happen To Animals, Too
The condition is part of the natural course of aging, so it happens in both humans and animals who live long enough. A healthy lifestyle is believed to help delay the onset of cataracts.
Surgery Is Almost Complication-Free
It is among the safest surgical procedures today, with only a very small percentage of patients experiencing complications. Even so, the risks connected to surgery are treatable, especially if they are detected early.
The Process Is Becoming Hi-Tech
One of the newest developments in cataract surgery involve the use of laser and image mapping technologies. These enable surgeons to enhance the precision of their incisions. Complications are reduced in the process. You may also select from a wide variety of IOLs designed to address specific problems and needs.
You Can Fix Other Eye Problems Using The Surgery
If you have astigmatism, retinal tears, farsightedness, nearsightedness, and even glaucoma, these conditions can be treated along with your cataracts. As the process becomes more state-of-the-art, so does its capability to address other eye conditions along the way.
The Surgery Helps Millions Around The World
It is the one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide. It is expected that the number of patients will increase in the future as the cost of surgery declines.
Conclusion
Cataract surgery has evolved much since its conception. From its humble (and quite honestly, messy) beginnings, it has become one of the most reliable medical treatments, helping people from all over the world reclaim their vision.
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