Cataract surgery treats clouded lenses that impair vision. ICL surgery places an artificial lens in the eye to correct refractive errors. Determining which surgery you need depends on your eye health, vision goals, and treatment candidacy. Here are some of the differences between cataract and ICL surgery:
Candidacy Evaluation
Ocular tests assess your candidacy for cataract or ICL lens procedures. Cataract tests gauge light obstruction, while refraction tests identify the presence of myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism. Eye health and patient histories also guide treatment candidacy. A family history of cataracts and the presence of mild-to-moderate cataracts make you eligible for surgery. ICL surgery eligibility depends on refractive error stability and whether your ocular dimensions will support the lens placement.
Visual Symptoms
Cataracts trigger cloudy, blurred, or dimmed vision that impairs near and distant sight. Colors look faded, and glare tolerance drops at night if you have cataracts. Refractive errors like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism blur vision at specific distances. Your vision is less severely obstructed than it would be with cataracts. Diagnostic testing and vision screenings help your eye doctor correlate your symptoms to a specific lens condition.
Procedural Techniques
Cataract and ICL surgeries both use micro-incisional techniques. For cataracts, the eye’s natural lens is broken apart using phacoemulsification and extracted before the insertion of an artificial lens. During the ICL technique, the surgeon folds an artificial lens and inserts it through a small cut, where it then unfolds and is positioned between your iris and natural lens. Technology and surgical expertise enable eye surgeons to place the lens optimally for clearer vision.
Anesthetic Protocols
Both surgical procedures involve applying eye-numbing drops before any incisions are made. This anesthetic keeps patients comfortable during the operations. Surgeons may also inject a small dosage of anesthetic around the eye. Cataract extraction and ICL lens insertion only take a few minutes per eye, so general anesthesia and sedation are unnecessary.
Recovery Timelines
Cataract surgery offers fast vision recovery, as treated eyes are less obstructed once the cloudy natural lens gets removed. Post-surgical vision clarity keeps improving over several weeks. Patients who undergo ICL procedures may experience clearer vision after a month or two as the eyes adapt to the newly inserted lenses. Your surgeon may recommend modifying your activity after treatment to protect your healing eyes. Intense sports, heavy lifting, bending, and swimming may be permitted sooner after ICL procedures than cataract surgeries. Wearing an eye patch or shield at night keeps you from rubbing or scratching your eyes.
Long-Term Effects
The artificial lenses used in cataract and ICL surgeries are designed to have extended lifespans, providing years of clear vision for patients. Dense cataracts should not regenerate on the artificial lens, and the refractive errors corrected by implantable contact lenses should also remain stable. Routine post-operative eye exams help your doctor monitor the healing process and success of your new lenses.
Schedule Your Cataract Surgery Today
Scheduling an eye surgery consultation allows you to learn more about your candidacy for the treatment and which procedures are suitable for your vision needs. During a comprehensive consultation, your eye doctor will test your vision, examine your eye, and evaluate your eye health to confirm your symptoms and identify your lens condition. Contact a reputable eye care facility today to learn more about their services and schedule an appointment.
