Do you have cataracts? Are they interfering with your ability to drive, read, or even do your job? In some cases, cataracts can be corrected with the use of prescription eyeglasses. However, in more severe cases, surgery may be necessary. For many people, the idea of having eye surgery can be unnerving. In reality, though, there's not much to be nervous about. Cataract surgery is a relatively quick and simple procedure, so surgical issues are rare. Here are a few questions to ask your surgeon to help you better understand the procedure:

What type of anesthesia is used? Surgeons generally customize the anesthesia for the specific patient. They want you awake enough to cooperate with their instructions. However, they also don't want you to feel discomfort. Be honest with your surgeon about your unease about the procedure. That way he or she can make sure you get enough anesthesia to keep you comfortable.

In most cataract surgeries, the patient is given a sedative, but is kept awake. He or she is then given drops to numb the eye. The whole procedure lasts only a matter of minutes, so putting the patient to sleep usually isn't necessary.

What can you do to make recovery easier? The surgeon will essentially be replacing your eye's lens. To help the new lens adjust, you'll want your eyes to remain moist. If you have problems with dry eyes, you should let your surgeon know. Excessive dryness could cause inflammation after surgery and make for a painful recovery. If you talk to your surgeon about this in advance, he or she may be able to prescribe drops to keep your eyes moist and make recovery easier.

What if you have cataracts in both eyes? It's not uncommon for people to need new lenses in both eyes. If this is the case, your surgeon likely won't do both eyes during the same procedure. However, the amount of time that passes between procedures likely depends on your needs. If can take a couple of weeks to recover, the surgeon may do one eye in one procedure and the other a few days later. If you need more spacing between recovery times, you can schedule the procedures a few weeks apart.

Will your insurance cover everything? If you have a real need for surgery, your insurance will likely cover much of the procedure, depending on your deductible and other factors. However, much depends on the type of lenses you're getting. Insurance will often cover standard lenses, but not premium lenses. These premium lenses provide enhanced vision at a variety of depths, virtually eliminating the need for glasses. Some insurance companies view premium lenses as a choice rather than a need, so be sure you double check with your insurer before surgery.

Your cataract surgeon will probably be happy to answer all of your questions in advance. Take a list of questions to your pre-surgery appointment to make sure you have all the information you need. To learn more, visit Country Hills Eye Center.