This week’s commonly asked questions focus on cataracts and address some common yet insightful questions about people’s concerns and possible issues that may arise.
Can cataract blindness be cured?
Absolutely! Cataracts can be removed, restoring vision, typically in less than 20 or 30 minutes. Dr. Ambati and our incredibly well-trained Ophthalmologists have performed thousands upon thousands of cataract surgeries over their combined years of practice and are here to help you through this very common procedure.
Additionally, Dr. Ambati volunteers his time in other countries to help restore vision to poor patients with cataract or corneal blindness, which can help that patient, their family, and their community.
Is cataract surgery safe? When does it not work or fail?
Like all surgeries, cataract surgery has risks. The risks of infection or bleeding with cataract surgery are less than 1/4000. Risks of needing a second procedure (e.g., vitrectomy, lens repositioning or exchange, fluid release to lower pressure, retained cataract fragment, corneal transplant) are less than 1%.
If you have other eye problems (e.g., bad glaucoma, macular degeneration, or lazy eye), your vision may not improve that much after cataract surgery.
Can cataract surgery be redone?
Once cataracts are out, they are out and don’t come back. Sometimes lens repositioning or exchange can be done, but those are rarely necessary.
