The cataract surgery procedure basically consists of removing the lens of the eye and replacing it with an artificial lens.That lens is called intraocular lens (IOL) Normally, the lens of the eye is transparent. Cataracts cause clouding of the lens. 

Your eye doctor will probably suggest cataract surgery if you have vision loss that cause difficulties in most of the everyday activities such as driving, reading and watching television. Cataract surgery is performed by an ophthalmologist on an outpatient basis. There are procedures you need to do to prepare for your cataract surgery. Your doctor will explain to you exactly what to do. The patient doesn't have to stay in the hospital after the procedure. 

In this article, we will talk about cataract operation genareally. Causes of cataract, techniques in cataract surgery, prepairing for cataract surgery and choosing the right intraocular lens for cataract surgery are among the subtitles of the article.

After the age of forty, the proteins in the lens of the eye naturally begin to break down. These natural changes are known lead to cataract formation.

Exactly why cataracts occur continues to be investigated. Other than aging, some factors have been identified that make cataracts more likely can be lined up as below:

• Diabetes
• Serious eye injuries
• Family record for eye diseases like cataract
• Radiaton treatment for the other diseases like cancer
• Smoking
• Drinking a lot
• Spending too much time in the sun with no sunglasses
• Steroids used in the treatment of  arthritis and allergies

There are two types of cataract surgery in each different techniques are used for treatment.

• Small-incision cataract surgery: also known as “Phacoemulsification”. Small incision cataract surgery is the most common type of cataract operation. The surgeon makes a small hole near the outer corner of the eye. A small probe emits ultrasound waves to dissolve the hard part of the cloudy lens. At the next stage, the remainder of the cataract material is removed by a probe.

• Extracapsular surgery: In the technique used in this type of cataract surgery, a longer opening is made in the upper part of the eye to remove the hard center of the lens. The remainder of the cataract material is suctioned out through the large opening.

Before having a cataract surgery, you have a preparition process. Preparing for cataract surgery is an important period. Your medical expert will talk to you in this period and tell you what to do. They will explain you some techniques like 

laser-assisted cataract surgery as well.

• One week before your surgery, your doctor will do some tests. These tests help your eye doctor choose the right type of artificial lens.
• Your eye doctor may prescribe you some eye drops to prevent eye infection.
• If you are using a medicine that may cause bleeding during your surgery, you should not use this medicine for a while at the request of your ophthalmologist.
• You should not eat or drink fluids the night before cataract surgery. Your ophthalmologist will warn you about this.
• You may be asked to clean your eyelids and eyelashes with baby shampoo the night before and the morning of the surgery to minimize the risk of infection. Your eye doctor will make reminders about the subject.

Different Intraocular Lens (IOL) are shown to the patient as options and it is reached the stage where the most suitable one for the patient is selected. Before surgery, you will discuss the type of IOL that will best suit your lifestyle.

IOLs are made of plastic, acrylic, or silicone. Some IOLs block ultraviolet light, while others are hard plastic and are mounted through an incision that requires several stitches to close.

IOLs are generally flexible. The surgeon puts the lens into the empty capsule containing the natural lens. The folded IOL opens and fills the empty capsule.

Most known lens tyepse that are that taken consideration for each patient are:

• Multifocal
• Astigmatism correction
• Accommodating focus monofocal
• Fixed-focus monofocal

These lenses will improve your vision and you won’t feel the lens at all. The main purpose of these lenses is to bend light rays that come into your eye. They can be used life-long and no need any care.