The day after surgery to remove a cataract, you will most likely be allowed to return to your normal activities. But you need to take certain precautions. Use eyedrops as prescribed by your doctor. Wash your hands before putting drops in your eye. Be careful not to touch your eye with your hands or the tip of the...

A cataract is a painless, cloudy area in the lens of your eye. A cataract blocks light from reaching the retina (the nerve layer at the back of the eye) and may cause vision problems. Cataracts are common in older adults and are linked to aging. Smoking and exposure to too much sunlight are other risk factors. Cataracts...

What are cataracts? Cataracts are a painless, cloudy area in the lens of the eye. They block the passage of light to the retina. Nerve cells in the retina detect light entering the eye and send nerve signals to the brain about what the eye sees. Because cataracts block this light, they can cause vision problems. What...

Guides through decision to have cataract surgery. Describes the surgery and how well it works. Includes when cataract surgery is normally recommended. Covers benefits and risks. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Cataracts may occur in people who also have glaucoma. This commonly occurs in older adults. If you have glaucoma and cataracts, you may consider having surgery for both conditions at the same time. Depending on which condition caused the vision loss, you may have improved vision after surgery. If the vision loss before...

When should I consider having surgery? You may want to consider cataract surgery if your vision is blurry or causing other problems that interfere with things you want or need to do each day. Examples include reading and driving. Where should I go for surgery? The most important factor to consider is the skill and...

Discusses laser surgery called YAG laser capsulotomy. Covers cloudiness that may happen after cataract surgery, sometimes called aftercataract. Discusses why surgery is done, how well it works, and risks.

Here are some examples of when IOLs may be used. To replace a lens after cataract surgery Surgery for cataracts involves removing the natural lens of the eye that contains the cataract. The lens may be replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant (IOL). Or you may wear eyeglasses or contact lenses...

Discusses vision problems caused by cataracts, a painless, cloudy area in lens of eye. Covers symptoms like fuzzy vision, glare from lamps or sun, and frequent changes to eyeglass prescription. Discusses treatment with surgery. Also discusses vision aids.

Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of eye problems, diseases, and injuries. Ophthalmologists can diagnose and treat eye diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma; prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses; treat eye injuries; and perform eye surgeries, such as...

During trabeculectomy—sometimes also called filtration surgery—a piece of tissue in the drainage angle of the eye is removed, creating an opening. The opening is partially covered with a flap of tissue from the sclera, the white part of the eye, and the conjunctiva, the clear thin covering over the sclera. This new...

Vitrectomy is a surgery to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye. It may be done when there is a retinal detachment or if blood in the vitreous gel (vitreous hemorrhage) does not clear on its own. Removing the vitreous gel gives your eye doctor better access to the back of the eye. This surgery is done by...

Has info on cataracts, glaucoma, and pinkeye. Also has links to age-related macular degeneration, vision tests, and a cataract surgery decision aid.

Looks at a surgery for glaucoma typically used after a trabeculectomy has failed. Covers how it is done and what to expect after surgery. Also covers risks and how well it works.

Pneumatic retinopexy is a surgery to repair certain types of retinal detachments. It is usually an outpatient procedure, which means you don't need to stay in the hospital. Before surgery, your eye is numbed with local anesthesia. Then the eye doctor ( ophthalmologist) injects a gas bubble into the middle of the eye...

Guides through decision to have surgery for ulcerative colitis. Explains symptoms, long-term risks involved with the disease. Discusses common surgery options. Includes an interactive tool to help you make your decision.

Briefly discusses eye problems, including watery eyes, drainage, eyelid problems and problems related to health conditions. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

What is strabismus? Strabismus (say "struh-BIZ-mus") is a vision problem in which both eyes do not look at the same point at the same time. Strabismus most often begins in early childhood. It is sometimes called crossed-eyes, walleye, or squint. Normally, the muscles attached to each eye work together to move both eyes...

Covers surgery used to treat childhood glaucoma. Looks at what to expect after surgery, how well it works, and risks.

What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by diabetes. Diabetes can damage small blood vessels in part of your eye. This can lead to poor vision and blindness. What causes it? Diabetes damages small blood vessels throughout the body. Diabetic retinopathy happens when prolonged high...

Discusses eye disease that damages the optic nerve. Covers open-angle, closed-angle, and congenital glaucoma. Covers importance of finding and treating it early to help prevent blindness. Looks at treatment with medicine and maybe with lasers or surgery.

Laser iridotomy uses a very focused beam of light to create a hole on the outer edge, or rim, of the iris, the colored part of the eye. This opening allows fluid ( aqueous humor) to flow between the anterior chamber, the front part of the eye, and the area behind the iris, the posterior chamber. This opening may...

Looks at surgery for children who have childhood glaucoma. Covers risks and how well it works.

If you are younger than 40 and have no known risk factors for glaucoma, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) recommends that you have a complete eye exam every 5 to 10 years. This includes tests that check for glaucoma. If you are at risk for glaucoma, the AAO suggests that you have complete eye exams according...