2 Eye Conditions That Can Be Corrected With Eye Surgery

The eye is a delicate organ, and even a small problem can cause major issues with your vision. Some of these issues are a result of the aging process, while others result from an injury or disease. Treatment for these conditions used to be limited to glasses or contact lenses, but now there are many different types of eye surgery that can correct a wide range of problems.

Here are two common eye conditions that can be treated with eye surgery.

Detached Retina

Your eye consists of several layers, and the retina is among the most important ones. This is the layer of tissue at the back of your eye that senses and sends light signals to your brain. A detached retina can be the result of a disease called age-related macular degeneration (AMD). This is where the retina begins to pull away from the back of the eye.

The retina can also detach if you have diabetic retinopathy, a complication of long-term diabetes. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels in your retina, causing them to form scars. These scars eventually grow and cause the retina to pull away from the back of the eye.

If you have a detached retina, you may notice that your vision is blurred or wavy. You may also see flashes of light or floaters, which are small pieces of debris that float in your field of vision.

Surgery to correct a detached retina involves reattaching the retina to the back of the eye. Your eye surgeon will first inject an air bubble into your eye. This will help to push the retina back into place. In some cases, your surgeon may need to use a laser or cryotherapy (freezing treatment) to seal the retina back into place.

Recovery from surgery usually takes a few weeks, with a few side effects such as soreness, redness and blurry vision.

Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. The lens is the clear part of your eye that helps focus light. Cataracts usually develop slowly and are more common in older adults. However, they can also be the result of an injury, certain medical conditions or medications.

Cataracts can cause your vision to become blurry or fuzzy. You may also notice that colours seem faded, and glare is increased. In some cases, cataracts can cause double vision.

Surgery is usually the only effective way to treat cataracts. Your eye surgeon will make a small incision in your eye and then use a special tool to break up the cloudy lens.

Once the lens is removed, the surgeon will replace it with an artificial lens. This type of surgery is usually on an outpatient basis, meaning you can go home the same day. Recovery time is usually short, with most people regaining full vision within a few weeks.

While eye surgery can correct many different problems, it's not suitable for everyone. Be sure to talk to your eye doctor about all of your treatment options and the risks and benefits of surgery for your particular condition. 

Share