What is the term for the surgical procedure to correct cataracts?

The surgical procedure to correct cataracts is termed cataract extraction. This procedure involves the removal of the clouded lens of the eye, which is the defining characteristic of cataracts. During cataract surgery, the surgeon typically replaces the cloudy lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. The surgical technique often used is phacoemulsification, a method that uses ultrasound to break up the cataract before removal.

The other options do not specifically refer to the treatment or correction of cataracts. A corneal transplant addresses issues with the cornea rather than the lens. Lens replacement can be a part of cataract surgery, but it is a broader term that could also refer to procedures involving the lens for other conditions. Refractive surgery is meant to correct refractive errors such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, rather than treating cataracts. Thus, cataract extraction is the specific and correct terminology for the surgical procedure targeting cataracts.