The IOLs, are clear plastic lenses that are implanted in the eye during the cataract operation. Lens implants have certain advantages:

They usually eliminate or minimize the problems with image size, side vision, and depth perception noted by people who wear cataract eyeglasses. Also, because lens implants remain in the eye and do not have to be removed, cleaned, and reinserted, they are more convenient than contact lenses. This is particularly true for people who have physical problems that would make it difficult for them to carry out the procedures involved in using contact lenses.

Most people who undergo cataract surgery are treated as outpatients and can go home the same day. For others, a stay in the hospital of 1-3 days may be required. In either case, during the early stages of recovery, patients need to take special care to avoid strenuous physical activity.

Sometimes people whose cataract surgery was performed by the extracapsular method develop a problem called " after-cataract." After the operation, the back part of the lens capsule left in the eye may become cloudy and interfere with passage of light to the retina.

The cloudy material must be cleared away, if possible, so that full vision can be restored. Ophthalmologists often treat after-cataract with an ophthalmic laser called the neodymium-YAG or "cold" laser. When this procedure is successful, the patient's vision is restored without additional eye surgery.