Short-sighted – Does cataract surgery correct short-sightedness?

Short-sightedness (also commonly referred to as near-sightedness or myopia) occurs when someone can see objects that are nearby clearly, but they struggle to see objects that are further away. They might be able to read a book without the need for glasses, but if they look towards the horizon, it’s blurry.  

Patients who are short-sighted often get the best results from cataract surgery, as their short-sightedness can be corrected when the lens in their affected eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (IOL). Patients who have cataract surgery on both eyes often see the best results, as if they only have one eye operated on, it’s likely that their other eye will still remain short-sighted. 

It’s worth noting, however, that patients with a high degree of short-sightedness can sometimes be more prone to complications during cataract surgery – such as retinal detachment – as a result of existing breaks, holes or weakness in their retina. Patients with extreme short-sightedness are also more susceptible to a condition known as myopic macular degeneration, which can increase their risk of developing post-operative complications. 

Despite the challenges that can sometimes be posed by the eyes of short-sighted patients, because short-sightedness can be completely resolved with cataract surgery, it’s often the case that short-sighted patients are the happiest with the outcome of their cataract surgery, as their vision is completely corrected, allowing for significantly improved vision and quality of life afterwards.