OPHTHALMOLOGY

Q: What’s involved with having cataract surgery and what are some things I can expect?

A: Cataract surgery is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to improve your vision and change the way you see the world. The first step involves a pre-operative evaluation that will include a dilated, comprehensive eye exam to check the health of your eyes and visual acuity as well as your specific eye measurements. During this consultation, you will have the opportunity to talk with the surgeon about the various types of intraocular lens and the best option for your needs, advanced laser technology that is available, and expected outcome.

Cataract surgery is generally a simple, outpatient procedure performed by specially trained ophthalmologists. Surgery is done one eye at a time so that each eye can heal and adjust individually. You will be prescribed eyedrop medicines which will be used before and after surgery to help prevent infection and reduce swelling. Cataract surgery is performed in an operating room using a microscope, specially designed instruments, and other modern technology. The surgery usually takes only 10-15 minutes, is painless and is performed under monitored anesthesia care which means you are not put to sleep but in a light level of sedation. The time at the surgery site is generally about 90 minutes total since extra time is needed for surgery preparation and post-op recovery. You will need to have someone drive you to and from the surgery.

During surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens, or IOL, chosen to correct your vision. Today patients can choose from a wide variety of intraocular lenses along with additional high precision laser technology that can provide customized options for enhanced and optimized visual outcomes.

After surgery, regular postoperative visits are scheduled to check your eye as it heals. Within a few days after surgery, many patients are back at work, driving, and doing all but the most strenuous of activities. If you need cataract surgery in both eyes, your eye surgeon will wait 1-3 weeks between procedures so that the 1st eye is healed before the 2nd eye is done. Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures performed today. More than 3 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States every year with most of these procedures producing excellent visual outcomes. You may need an eyeglass prescription to obtain your clearest vision following surgery depending on the intraocular lens implanted and your vision needs.