Cataract Surgery Patients Share Their Stories: “This Was a Wake-Up Call for Me”

“All of a sudden, everything just went white,” says Marjorie. “I couldn’t see anything.”

Marjorie was suffering from cataracts, an eye condition which affects more than 24.4 million Americans ages 40 and older. When she started to experience a loss of sight, she sought help from the Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cataract Consultation Service at Massachusetts Eye and Ear.  

“A cataract is when the lens of the eye, which is one of the key focusing structures inside the eye, loses its clarity,” says Carolyn Kloek, MD. “It can cause a lot of problems with vision.”

Common symptoms of a cataract include cloudy or blurry vision, poor night vision, and double vision. Colors may also appear faded and bright lights (such as headlights and sunlight) can create glares or a halo effect.

For Frank, there were three things that noticeably impacted his vision and caused him to get his eyes checked: night driving, glare in the rain, and his golf game.

“I couldn’t see the golf ball anymore,” says Frank.

Both Marjorie and Frank are successful cataract surgery patients. Since cataract removal is one of the safest and most frequently performed operations in the country, Dr. Kloek says she reassures her patients with facts.

“As part of our preoperative discussions, [I tell them] that this isn’t going to hurt and you aren’t going to see anything during the surgery,” says Dr. Kloek. “That’s a common fear for people that they’re going to be very aware and see everything happening.”

With guidance from Dr. Kloek and the physicians at Mass. Eye and Ear, Frank and Marjorie are grateful to be in good hands.

“They were able to put me at ease,” says Frank. “It just worked perfectly.”

For more information on cataract surgery and the Comprehensive Ophthalmology and Cataract Consultation Service at Mass. Eye and Ear, visit masseyeandear.org.