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Cataract Surgery Frequently Asked Questions Answered by Kansas City Refractive Surgeons

cataract surgery patient

 

We understand that there’s a whirlwind of information surrounding cataract surgery and how it works. In simple terms, cataract surgery is the only way to get rid of a yellowed and cloudy lens to improve your overall vision.

Based on our 30 years of experience as refractive eye surgeons in Kansas City, our doctors at Durrie Vision have answered a few cataract surgery frequently asked questions we receive from our patients.

What are common cataract symptoms?

At first, you may not notice you have cataracts at all since the cloudiness initially affects small spots in your vision. But as the lens thickens, you may notice symptoms such as:

  • Cloudy vision
  • Halos and glares
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Frequently changing prescriptions
  • Double vision
  • Yellowing or fading colors

Learn more about early cataract symptoms. →

Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?

With traditional cataract surgery, you will probably still need to wear your glasses. That is because those surgeries only replace the old lens with a standard monofocal lens, which do not correct refractive errors such as farsightedness and nearsightedness.

However, refractive cataract surgery replaces the old lens with an advanced multifocal or trifocal lens to maximize your near, intermediate, and far distance vision. By focusing on the refractive errors and lens cataracts, you typically won’t require glasses (depending on the lens, some people still may need reading glasses).

How long does refractive cataract surgery take?

Believe it or not, refractive cataract surgery is fairly quick and easy. After your surgeon applies numbing drops and, in some cases, a mild sedative (such as valium), the procedure only takes about 10 minutes. Keep in mind that surgeries typically treat each eye separately, so you can expect to return for another procedure within a few days.

What can I expect from the recovery process?

With refractive cataract surgery, you won’t have to worry about downtime afterwards. You will need someone to drive you home and to your follow-up appointment the next day. Your doctor will also provide you with artificial tears and antibacterial and anti-inflammatory eye drops to use for the following weeks. You may notice some initial dryness; however, that shouldn’t deter you from getting back to daily life. In fact, most people are free to go to work after their initial follow-up.

Learn more cataract surgery frequently asked questions from Durrie Vision

Our number one goal is to help our patients better maneuver through life with the best vision possible. With each patient, we start with an in-depth consultation process. In fact, we take our consultations so seriously that it has its own name—Advanced Ocular Analysis (AOA). During your AOA, we’ll go through a series of the most advanced diagnostic tests to gauge which procedure will be the best option to reach your vision goals.

No matter the procedure, we use innovative laser technology to maximize precision so our patients receive the best results possible. We stick with our patients every step of the way, from the consultation all the way to the final visit.

For over 30 years, our doctors at Durrie Vision have been leaders in refractive surgery, offering all six options available today. To get started, schedule your AOA or take our easy, online self-candidacy test.