A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens that can greatly impair vision. When the symptoms interfere with the patient's daily activities and visual needs, then cataract surgery is recommended.
Cataract surgery is the most common and most successful surgical procedure performed in the United States. During cataract surgery, the cloudy intraocular lens is removed, and replaced with a synthetic lens implant to clearly focus light again within the eye.
Many patients are able to reduce their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. However, this depends on many factors, including the vision in the other eye and the health of other layers within the eye. Most patients wear glasses at least part-time.
