Living with cataracts can be a challenge, but luckily removing them is easy and as safe as a surgery can be. There are ways to manage your cataracts, such as adding extra lighting and wearing glasses more often.
You may also be wondering if there are better times of the year to get procedures like cataract surgery. After all, there’s a lot of pollen and allergens in the air.
It would seem like that could cause extra complications. Keep reading to find out if getting cataract surgery in the spring is smart!
How Does the Surgery Work?
Cataract surgery works by removing the affected lenses and replacing them with IOLs. IOLs are artificial replacements lenses, but they come in a rather wide variety.
Standard IOLs, for example, provide good vision at either near or far distances, but not both. If you want to be able to see without the need for glasses, then you will need to invest in premium IOLs.
There are several different kinds of premium IOLs. These differ based on how they help you see and what kind of vision correction they offer. You can learn more about your IOL options during your cataract screening.
Whichever IOL option you choose, the method for implanting them is the same. At the beginning of the procedure, your surgeon numbs your eyes.
They will then open your cornea by creating a small flap above your pupil. A small probe gets inserted through the opening and through the pupil into the area with the lens.
This probe emits ultrasonic vibrations at such a frequency that the lens is gently broken apart. This happens without harming the other parts of the eye.
The fragments of the lens are then removed and the IOL is locked into the membrane. The cornea can then be closed and is left to heal on its own with no need for stitches.
Recovering
Recovering from cataract surgery is usually straightforward. You will need to be extra careful with your eyes. After the procedure, they will be more prone to injury and infection during this period. Here are some general tips for recovering safely:
- Avoiding any physical contact with your eyes. This includes your hands- even rubbing your eyes while they heal can cause the flap to tear open.
- Do not get water in your eyes.
- Do not lift anything heavy or strain yourself, especially during the early stages of recovery.
- Follow up with the surgeon after so they can monitor your recovery progress.
Is It Safe To Have Cataract Surgery In The Spring?
There’s no “wrong” time to have cataract surgery. When to have it really depends on the state of your vision.
If your cataracts have made you unable to see or perform everyday tasks, it’s time to have them removed. But having cataract surgery in the spring isn’t always a good idea.
Reconsider if you suffer from extremely bad allergies. If you have allergies and get cataract surgery, it will make recovering from the procedure harder than it needs to be.
For that reason, you may want to consider having cataract surgery in the fall or winter instead. But if you don’t have allergies, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have cataract surgery in the spring!
Tired of living with cataracts? The first step to seeing clearly is a cataract screening. Schedule yours at Frantz EyeCare in Fort Myers, FL!
