Have you been diagnosed with cataracts and told you’ll eventually need surgery?
It’s understandable when one is afraid of surgery on the eyes.
A study published in The Journal of Clinical Ophthalmology found that fear of losing vision can prevent some individuals from going through with necessary cataract surgery.
Although surgery is a proven and effective treatment, hesitation remains common among patients.
And it’s easy to see why. There’s something so frightening about even the most experienced surgeon inserting sharp objects into one’s eyes.
When I was diagnosed with mild cataracts (what a punch in the gut, actually), I was also informed that I’d get really good vision (my previous sharp LASIK vision returned) with cataract surgery.
The optician said that the surgery would involve the implantation of an artificial lens after the diseased one is removed, “like a contact lens being permanently put in your eye.”
But the thought of any eye surgery, no matter how corrective, is always a scary thing.
Scared to Have Cataract Surgery
The research was led by Dr. Lisa Kelly, a professor-educator and director of medical student education in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine.
The study was based on responses from 42 patients at Hoxworth Eye Clinic.
All participants were 50 or older, since cataracts are mostly age-related.
Researchers aimed to see if there was a connection between health literacy and fear related to the surgery.
The belief, according to the research team, was that those with a lower understanding of health would be more afraid.
But the results of the study proved otherwise: no link between low health literacy and being afraid of this eye operation.
According to the study, 36% of participants expressed fear about undergoing cataract surgery.
Among them, more than half specifically worried it might result in vision loss.
Dr. Kelly says that most patients showed a reasonable understanding of the procedure once it was explained to them clearly.
However, even with simple and thorough information, some patients still felt uneasy.
Instead of focusing only on educational materials, the team points out that trust and open conversations between patients and doctors are just as important.
Simply giving fearful patients a lot of information and facts won’t always calm their apprehension, says the paper.
A more emotional based approach – connecting with the patients – can make a big difference.
As one on the Autism Spectrum, I place much more of a premium on being fed all the information and facts regarding a surgical procedure, vs. getting that proverbial hand on the shoulder.
Of course, this doesn’t mean I’d be okay with some robotic, stoic surgeon, either. It always helps to have some connection with the person who’s about to operate on your eyes. You should feel comfortable with them and listened to — even if you’re more about logic and analysis rather than feelings and personal bonding.
Some patients are information oriented, while others are emotion oriented.
Same with the surgeon: Some have a rather detached and information packed approach (such as my mother’s coronary bypass surgeon), while others are lively with expressing emotions and reassurance.
Overcoming Fear of Cataract Surgery
The optician told me that it’s time to book the surgery when I begin worrying about how my vision affects driving.
The effects of the mild cataracts fluctuate, but things have been stable since that appointment, which was about two years ago.
Nevertheless, there will come a time when I’ll need surgery.
And I already know how to calm my fear: have one eye operated on at a time!
That’s what I did with LASIK. I had only one eye done, then a week later, the other eye.
The reasoning is that – worst case scenario – if there’s an issue with the surgeon, only one eye will be damaged.
The other eye would then be operated on by a new surgeon (with the idea that a second devastating mistake couldn’t possibly be committed by the new surgeon!).
I plan on having one eye done at a time to correct the cataracts.
If the first surgeon I speak to about this refuses (and I don’t see why they would), then I’ll seek out a surgeon who will accommodate me.
Certainly, you’ll want to go with a surgeon who’s experienced and with whom you feel a connection with, even if you’re a facts-and-logic type of individual.
- Don’t hesitate to ask them ANY question you may have.
- The patient has every right to ask all sorts of questions. Surgeons are used to this.
I’ll also remind myself that cataract surgery will give me wonderfully sharp vision!
Without cataract surgery, this condition can worsen over time, potentially resulting in complete blindness.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that untreated cataracts can lead to permanent visual impairment.
Bottom line: Fearful or not, if you have cataracts (cloudy spots on the eye’s lens, which is located behind the pupil), you absolutely have to eventually have surgery.
Delaying surgery can make the eventual surgery riskier for complications. When it’s time, IT’S TIME.
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical, fitness and cybersecurity topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer.
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