A surgical procedure to remove a cloudy lens in the eye and replace it with an artificial lens (intraocular lens, or IOL)
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. This cloudiness causes light to scatter as it passes through the lens, making it difficult for the eye to focus and resulting in blurry or hazy vision. Cataracts develop gradually, often due to aging, but they can also be caused by factors such as genetics, certain medical conditions (like diabetes), prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light, smoking, and eye injuries. If left untreated, cataracts can significantly impair vision and eventually lead to blindness.
Cataracts are a normal part of aging that causes the eye's natural lens to become cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. Cataract surgery is the treatment and the most common surgical procedure in the United States.
During surgery, the eye doctor removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The surgery is usually performed while the patient is awake and takes about 10 to 20 minutes.
It can take 2 to 6 weeks to fully recover from cataract surgery. Most people don't have complications, and surgery improves vision for 97% of people.
There are many types of IOLs available, including fixed-focus (standard lens), extended depth of focus lens (Vivity Lens), and multifocal (Panoptix Lens). The type of IOL that's best for you depends on your lifestyle and other factors, such as cost.
