No one wants to undergo surgery — especially not on a part of your body as sensitive as your eyes. But when it comes to cataracts, your vision may depend on it.
The good news is cataract surgery is a common and effective procedure. Once you’ve consulted your doctor and decided to become one of the 3.7 million Americans that undergo cataract surgery every year, there are a few do’s and don’ts you should consider before your surgery to make sure you are selecting the best lens option for your lifestyle needs.
SPONSORED BY
The Do’s and Don’ts of cataract surgery
SPONSORED BY
Planning for Surgery & Selecting the Right IOL for You
have an ophthalmologist walk you through the procedure. Your ophthalmologist will explain that during the surgery, they will remove the lens of the eye and, in most cases, replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). More than three million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. every year, making it one of the most common surgical procedures.
Talking to your surgeon can help you avoid any common misconceptions about undergoing cataract surgery.
DO
DO
take time to research IOL options before your consultation. Only 51% of the global population aged 50+ understand they can choose from several different types of IOLs to fit their unique needs. A basic understanding of lens options can help you to have an honest conversation with your provider about your lifestyle and vision goals.
DO
prepare a list of questions in advance of your consultation. It’s important to discuss your IOL options prior to surgery to ensure you receive the lens most suited to your needs. Suggested questions include “What should I consider when choosing an IOL?” and “Is there an IOL option that will allow me to see at all distances without glasses?”
DON'T
put off cataract surgery if your eyesight is impaired and impacting your daily quality-of-life. According to a recent cataract survey performed by Alcon, the global leader in eye care, many patients report an improvement in quality-of-life post-surgery, especially including those who received a PCIOL, which can not only correct your cataracts but improve your vision.
DO
ask your surgeon about receiving an advanced technology lens called a presbyopia-correcting intraocular lens (PCIOL). With cataract surgery, you may be able to not only correct your cataract(s), but also correct your vision with a PCIOL. PCIOLs can reduce spectacle dependence and can also provide 20/20 distance vision post-surgery. PCIOL patients also tend to have better near and intermediate vision compared to a standard monofocal lens − even for people with astigmatism.
DON'T
settle for an IOL that doesn’t suit your lifestyle goals. For PCIOL recipients, cataract surgery provides an opportunity to remove your cataract and regain younger vision, decreasing your need for contacts and eyeglasses. This can be especially helpful for patients who plan on remaining active for years to come.
What is a PCIOL?
Presbyopia-correcting intraocular lenses (PCIOLs) do more than just fix the common refractive error known as presbyopia, a gradual deterioration of the eye’s ability to focus on nearby objects that is a normal part of aging. They can also improve all-around vision from up close, middle range, and distance, greatly reducing the need for glasses or contacts.
PCIOLs are also available as Torics, which are necessary for cataract patients with astigmatism.
For more information about PCIOLs visit mycataracts.com.
For more information about cataract surgery preparation, PCIOL options and tips on finding an ophthalmologist, visit MyCataracts.com.
© 2024 Alcon Inc. 3/24 US-CAT-CEI-2400002