Signs It’s Time for Cataract Surgery: How to Restore Your Vision with Confidence

Cataract surgery is among the most common procedures in the United States, helping millions of Americans find lasting relief from clouded vision each year. Cataract surgery is a specialty of Daniel Tepper, MD, and the team at Wicker Park Eye Center in Chicago, Illinois. 

We’re pleased to share some information here about cataracts and when to consider surgical intervention. 

Cataracts are common and treatable

At the front of your eyes sits a clear lens that helps to bend light rays as they enter the eye to facilitate vision. When this lens becomes clouded by degenerating proteins, it changes the way you see the world around you. 

Most cataracts develop as a result of age. By the time they reach 60, most adults experience some degree of clouded vision. Additional causes of cataracts include:

• Genetic predisposition for cataracts
• Certain medications
• Years spent in the sun
• Smoking
• Medical conditions like diabetes
• Eye injuries

Knowing the signs of cataracts can help you determine when it’s time to take action to restore optimal vision. 

Symptoms of cataracts you shouldn’t ignore

You should always take action if you notice changes in your sight. Here are indications that a cataract may be present:

• Blurred vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Needing more light than usual to read 
• Perceiving bright colors as faded or yellowed
• Seeing double
• Enhanced sensitivity to light at night

Cataracts aren’t usually painful. Symptoms center on changes in your sight. 

Cataract surgery is safe and effective

It’s doubtful that many people get excited at the prospect of surgery, especially when it comes to the delicate tissues in the eye. But cataract surgery has been around for many years, and modern tools, technology, and training ensure safe procedures that deliver impressive results. 

The basics of the procedure include removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens. At Wicker Park Eye Center, Dr. Tepper uses minimally invasive laser techniques to perform cataract surgery, without harming the healthy tissue around the lens. 

In addition, if you have issues like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism, Dr. Tepper can replace your lens with a premium intraocular lens that can also improve these aspects of your vision. 

A numbing injection eliminates sensation in your eye during the surgery. Afterward, we place a shield over your eye for protection. Your body adjusts to the lens replacement quickly, and many people notice improvements in their vision within a few days. 

Be patient, however: It takes around four weeks to notice the full results. 

You might be surprised to learn that cataract surgery usually takes only 10-15 minutes. Dr. Tepper has extensive experience with these procedures, and he provides detailed care instructions to help you heal after your visit. 

We’re here to answer your questions

If you’re concerned about changes in your vision or would like to learn more about cataract surgery, set up a visit with Dr. Tepper by phone or online today.