What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens. A “cloudy lens” is unable to focus light properly on the retina, making images look blurry or dull.1
How are cataracts treated?
If you have poor vision due to cataracts, the only way to regain clear vision is to have your cataract surgically removed and replace with an intraocular lens.
Here are some important facts to remember about cataract surgery:
- Cataract surgery is the most common surgery performed today with nearly 28 million people worldwide having the procedure every year.3
- Cataract surgery is a routine sight-restoring treatment.
- If left untreated, the quality of your vision will continue to decline as the cataract progresses.
What is cataract surgery?
A cataract is removed during a short surgical procedure. During the treatment, your eye surgeon will remove the cataract (the natural lens that has become cloudy) and replace it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL).1
Cataract Removal
The cloudy lens is removed from the eye.
Lens Insertion
Your surgeon replaces your cloudy lens with an IOL.
After Surgery
Most patients will experience improved vision compared to pre surgery.
1. American Academy of Ophthalmology. https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts. Accessed November 8, 2021.
2. Cataract. Kellogg Eye Center website. https://www.umkelloggeye.org/conditions-treatments/cataract. Accessed September 15, 2021.
3. Cataract surgery products continue to be the main single-use surgical device sales driver. Eyewire+. https://eyewire.news/news/cataract-surgery-products-continue-to-be-the-main-single-use-surgical-device-sales-driver. Accessed September 17, 2021.