The Basics of Cataract Surgery

Because virtually everyone eventually develops cataracts, and because cataract surgery is so safe and effective, it is the most common surgical procedure in the United States. Advances in cataract surgery have made the procedure so efficient it can be done in ten to fifteen minutes or less. Recovery is rapid and you might notice dramatic improvements in your vision within a day or two, though the clarity will fluctuate while your eye is healing.

Your doctor will probably operate on one eye at a time, typically doing the procedures a week apart. This way the doctor can make sure that the first eye is healing properly and that there is no infection. The risk of infection is under 1 percent, but if the eye does get infected, your vision could be damaged.

The surgery consists of removing most of the clouded natural lens and replacing it with a clear synthetic lens.