Cataract Eye Surgery:
Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in decreased vision that gets progressively worse over time.
Many patients opt for cataract eye surgery to improve their vision.

Cataract Removal Surgery:
Surgical cataract removal is usually done to improve vision and quality of life.
Cataract eye surgery involves the removal of the natural, clouded lens of the eye and its subsequent replacement with a clear, artificial lens.
The cataract surgery is usually undergone under local anesthesia on an outpatient basis. The entire cataract surgery usually takes less than an hour.
There are several variations in both the removal and the replacement portions of the surgery. The technique used depends on the patient's needs and the physician's diagnosis, as well as the type of cataract involved.

Types of Cataract Surgery:
There are two main types of cataract surgery : extracapsular and intracapsular.

Extracapsular Surgery
The extracapsular cataract eye surgery involves the removal of the lens, leaving the capsule in place. This provides added support and improves the healing ability of the eye.
The most commonly performed type of extracapsular cataract surgery is phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification softens and breaks apart the lens using ultrasound technology.
After phacoemulsification is achieved, the cataract surgery is completed with the removal of the lens, leaving the capsule in place.

Intracapsular Surgery
Intracapsular cataract eye surgery involves the removal of the entire lens, including the capsule. This is a less frequently performed type of cataract surgery due to increased complications associated with it, including heightened risks of retinal detachment and swelling.

Lens Replacement:
Intraocular lenses (IOLs) replace the natural lens within the lens capsule. They are inserted through a small incision and unfolded inside the eye.
After cataract surgery with implantable lenses, glasses or contact lenses are needed in only about 10 percent of the cases.
Cataract eye surgery patients who are extremely nearsighted may need to use glasses or contact lenses to improve their vision.