Unfortunately for those who suffer from the disorder, misinformation about cataract surgery abounds. Let’s take a moment to debunk a few of the most common myths about the procedure. And for more information please refer to these tips and advice.
Myth: Surgery Is Painful Fact: In a recent survey from the AARP, four out of five patients said the surgery was less painful than they had expected. Although undoubtedly uncomfortable, the procedure shouldn’t hurt because it involves sedation. When there are no complications, it can be over in as little as 10 minutes! Nearly 98 percent of these surgeries are completed without any complications.
Myth: Recovery Takes Time Fact: The most common side effect of the procedure is mild irritation of the recovering eye. Your physician may recommend an over-the-counter pain reliever such as aspirin or ibuprofen to deal with discomfort. You will also be prescribed medicated eye drops to prevent infection and aid healing. For the average patient, the recovery period is only around two to three weeks.
Myth: It Won’t Make A Difference Fact: Because most folks don’t notice how cloudy their vision becomes when they have cataracts, they may not appreciate how big a difference medical attention could make. According to numerous surveys, even those who said their cloudy vision didn’t interfere with their daily activities reported a dramatic improvement in visual clarity after cataract surgery.
Myth: I’ll Still Need Reading Glasses Fact: While there is no guarantee, there’s a good chance the replacement lenses put in during the procedure will reduce, even eliminate, your need for reading glasses. You can even have specialty multi-focal lenses inserted during cataract surgery, which will almost certainly improve your visual clarity by a significant degree. You might even have 20/20 vision the very next day!
Myth: I Won’t Go Blind Without It Fact: Cataracts are the leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Fortunately for Americans, most of the costs associated with medical removal of these blinders are covered by insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare. The reason most folks mistakenly believe that medical attention can wait is that clouding of the lenses often takes many years to noticeably impair a person’s vision. But when it does, the operation will be more difficult for the doctor to perform because the lenses will be harder and will take more time to break up and replace. As such, patients are advised to always have it done sooner rather than later.
Myth: I’m Too Old To Have It Done Fact: Considered a minor medical procedure, most patients who have the operation are over the age of 75. In fact, about half of all Americans over the age of 80 have cloudy vision in one or both eyes. Because it only takes minutes to perform and complications are rare, cataract surgery is considered safe for most seniors.
