Final answer:
Cataract surgery to replace the cataract-clouded lens with an intraocular lens is based on the individual's visual impairment and is not necessarily immediate after diagnosis. The power of the intraocular lens for nearsighted individuals will usually be less to correct vision. Procedures like LASIK can also correct refractive errors by reshaping the cornea.
Step-by-step explanation:
Surgery to replace a cataract-clouded lens of the eye with an intraocular lens (IOL) is not always done immediately upon diagnosis. The timing of cataract surgery is generally determined based on the severity of the lens cloudiness and the impact it has on the individual’s vision and quality of life. Once the decision for surgery is made, the power of the intraocular lens can be chosen to correct for distant vision. However, the patient may still need glasses for reading or close work if they opt for a monofocal IOL designed only for distance.
For someone who was nearsighted before the surgery, the power of the new intraocular lens will generally be less than that of the removed lens. The replacement lens is designed to ensure that light is focused correctly on the retina, providing clearer vision. Other refractive errors, like myopia and hyperopia, may also be corrected surgically through procedures such as LASIK, which reshapes the cornea rather than replacing the lens.