Myth... During eye surgery, the eye is removed from its socket.

Fact... The eye is never removed from its socket during any kind of operation. To do so would permanently disconnect the eye fromt he optic nerve, the "nerve of sight." During eye surgery, a lid speculum is placed int he eye. This instrument spreads the eyelids apart and allows the surgeon easy access to the eye.

Myth... A cataract must be "ripe" before it can be removed.

Fact... A cataract is an opacity of the lens of the eye. When the lens becomes totally opaque, the cataract is sometimes called "ripe." A cataract should be removed surgically at any time that it is impairing the person's activities. Thus, you don't have to wait until the lens becomes totally opaque to operate. On the other hand, not every cataract has to be removed. If someone with a small cataract has good visual function, surgery may not be necessary.

Myth... A laser is used to remove a cataract.

Fact... This is not true. Lasers are frequently used, however, to open an after-cataract. This occurs when the portion of the membrane of the lens that is left in the eye after cataract surgery becomes cloudy.

Myth... A diagnosis of glaucoma means that you will become blind.

Fact... This is certainly not true if glaucoma is treated early. Patients with early-detected glaucoma can retain normal vision if they continue to use their prescribed medications. Unfortunately, glaucoma remains a major cause of blindness in America. This is largely because a common type of glaucoma, open angle glaucoma, is often symptom-free until late in the progression of th disease. Most types of glaucoma are characterized by an abnormally increased pressure inside the eye. Measurement of the intraocular pressure, therefore, is an essential step to detect glaucoma and should be a part of a complete eye exam.

© 1990 The University of Illinois at Chicago