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What are cataracts?

Every time you focus your eyes on people or objects, near or far, the images you see are produced by light rays entering the eye, focused by the lens onto the retina. If the lens is cloudy, the images are no longer crisp, bright, and clear, but appear dull, yellowed, blurry, or less colorful, as if you are looking through a dusty, dirty window.

Blurred or opaque vision is most commonly the result of cataracts, a clouding of the eye lens. This condition is not a minor problem, as if left untreated, can result in blindness. The World Health Organization reports that cataracts are the condition behind more than half the cases of blindness worldwide.

Aging and cataracts

Cataracts are a common problem associated with age, though they may develop in younger people. Over time, the lens proteins break down and clump together. As this condition progresses, cataracts can prevent sharply defined images from reaching the retina, leading to blurred vision. If not treated, cataracts can lead to blindness as the lens becomes thicker and more opaque.

Am I a candidate for cataract surgery in Beverly Hills?

Cataracts typically develop slowly and may not affect vision when in the early stages. As they worsen over time, cataracts can interfere with vision and will require surgery to replace the damaged natural lens. To determine if you are a candidate for cataract surgery, our skilled ophthalmologist may perform any or a combination of tests, including:

  • Dilated fundus exam: For this exam, the doctor will place drops in your eyes to dilate your pupils, for a better look at the retinas and to examine the lenses for cataracts.
  • Slit lamp exam: A slit lamp is a type of microscope that uses an intense line (slit) of light to illuminate and magnify structures of the eye, including the lens, iris, and cornea. With this instrument, your ophthalmologist can view your eyes in tiny sections and search for any abnormalities.
  • Visual acuity exam: This is a well-known test in which the doctor uses an eye chart to measure your ability to read a series of letters, checking one eye while covering the other.

What can I expect with cataract surgery in Beverly Hills?

Cataract surgery performed on one eye at a time, on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. The area is numbed, and intravenous sedation administered to keep you comfortable and anxiety-free. Our Beverly Hills eye surgeon will remove the clouded lens of your eye and replace it with a clear, artificial intraocular lens. The new lens is placed in the same location as the natural lens and becomes a permanent part of the eye.

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What is recovery like after cataract surgery?

You will need to have someone drive you home and wear sunglasses to protect the treated eye from bright light. You may experience some discomfort for a few days after cataract surgery. Your vision may seem cloudy, blurry, or distorted when you remove the eye shield, but it should clear up within a few hours to a few weeks – the time it takes for vision to clear can vary widely. Full healing generally occurs within eight weeks after the procedure.

FAQ

What happens if you need cataract surgery in both eyes?

If both eyes require cataract surgery, the procedure will be performed on one eye at a time. After you have healed from the first surgery, we will schedule the surgery to replace the lens in the other eye.

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