Will I still need glasses

Will I still need glasses?

Before cataract surgery, you and your ophthalmologist should discuss your visual needs and eye health in order to choose the most appropriate intraocular lens implant for you. Some IOLs may reduce or eliminate the need for glasses after cataract surgery, even if you currently wear glasses for reading or seeing at distance.

Eye conditions and glasses

Some eye conditions are usually treated with glasses or contact lenses, but may be corrected after cataract surgery. If you wore glasses for these conditions before cataract surgery, you may no longer need glasses after the surgery, depending on the lens you choose. Eye conditions that can also be corrected during cataract surgery include:

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Nearsightedness (myopia)

The ability to see people or objects clearly close-up, but not at a distance.1

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Farsightedness (hyperopia)

The ability to see people or objects clearly at a distance, but not close up.2

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Age-related farsightedness (presbyopia)

Presbyopia is a natural condition that develops as the lens in your eye gets harder, losing its flexibility with age. As presbyopia develops, you may find you have to hold books and magazines at arm’s length to read them. Before cataract surgery, presbyopia is generally treated with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses to help see far and close objects more clearly.3

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Astigmatism

A condition that causes blurred or distorted vision at all distances. It is caused by an irregularly shaped cornea.4

References:

  1. American Optometric Association. Myopia (Nearsightedness). Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/myopia?sso=y. Accessed August 13, 2018.
  2. American Optometric Association. Hyperopia (Farsightedness). Available at: https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/hyperopia?sso=y. Accessed August 13, 2018.
  3. National Eye Institute Staff. Presbyopia. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/presbyopia. Accessed August 13, 2018.
  4. National Eye Institute Staff. Astigmatism. Available at: https://nei.nih.gov/health/errors/astigmatism. Accessed August 13, 2018.