Cataract surgery - Busting Myths About Cataract Surgery

Dr.Prashaant Chaudhry, 3 mins read

Myth - Cataracts can spread from one eye to the other

Fact - Cataracts cannot spread from one eye to another. It is the clouding of our natural lens, which happens after an injury, with age, high blood sugar, etc. However, it is common for both eyes to develop cataracts together or one after the other.

Myth - Cataract surgery should be delayed and done only when it matures or ripens.

Fact – This was true in the past when an ICCE surgery was done - an immature cataract would result in a less successful procedure. However, with the current latest microincision cataract surgery technique, all stages of cataracts can be successfully treated. A mature cataract requires more energy than usual to remove and it is better to operate before the cataract matures.

Myth - Cataracts can recur or regrow

Fact – Cataract means clouding of our natural lens. Cataract surgery removes this lens that we are born with and replaces it with an artificial one. Thus, cataracts can't recur.

Myth - ‘Safed motiabind’ and ‘Kala motiabind’ are related to each other

Fact – “Safed motiabind” refers to cataract which is the clouding of our natural lens and “Kala motiabind” refers to glaucoma which is the weakening of the optic nerve due to high pressure in the eye. They are not related to each other most of the time. Most patients with glaucoma do not have a cataract and most patients with cataracts do not have glaucoma.  However, if the cataract is allowed to progress too much, it may cause glaucoma.

Myth - Spectacles are never required after cataract surgery.

Fact – This is true only if the most advanced multifocal lenses are implanted during cataract surgery. With most lenses, there is some requirement for glasses for reading and/ or distance. Other lenses like toric lenses minimize the need for cylindrical power glasses for those patients who have been using such glasses before surgery.

Myth - Cataracts can be fixed with eye drops

Fact – Cataract is the denaturation of protein- similar to making cottage cheese from milk. No chemical can convert cottage cheese back to milk, similarly, no medicine can reverse cataract formation. However, a healthy lifestyle with a diet rich in antioxidants, no smoking or alcohol, limited exposure to the UV rays of sunlight (wearing UV protective glasses) and good blood sugar control can slow down the process of cataract formation.

Also, Read: LASIK Surgery and Other Options and Understanding what is right for you