Cataract surgery in the recent past was a harrowing experience. Patients required a long incision, forceful removal of the cataract, and unsightly cataract glasses forever after. Visual recovery took several weeks, and the vision restored was fair at best.
People thinking about cataract surgery today often remember their parents or grandparents going through this procedure and feel very anxious about what they’re going to be put though. At Eastside Eye Associates, we’re trying to tell people not to be afraid. Dr. Shulman explains:
“Cataract surgery then, compared to cataract surgery now, well, it doesn’t even compare. In modern cataract surgery, we use a technique called phacoemulsification to use ultrasound to liquefy the cataract. We then use gentle suction to remove the cataract through a microincision, a cut so small that it doesn’t even need stitches to close. We insert through this same microincision an intraocular lens implant to restore distance vision and eliminate the need for cataract glasses. Best of all, we have premium lens options that can allow patients to see near, far, and everywhere in between without reading glasses or bifocals.” -Julius Shulman, M.D.
Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with millions of patients treated each year. Furthermore, cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed in medicine, with a proven record of good visual restoration, short recovery time, and a very low risk of complications.
