Cataract Surgery

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Good vision without glasses is now possible for most patients with advanced technology lens implants.

Almost half of American adults over the age of 60, and many younger than that, require treatment for cataracts. At the present time, there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent cataracts. The only available treatment is removal of

the cataract.

In the past, cataract surgery was considered risky, and the surgery was usually avoided for as long as possible. With today’s technology, this surgery is performed as an outpatient, taking a very short time to complete. Today’s cataract surgery usually results in better vision than before the surgery.

On the day of your surgery, you will be scheduled to arrive at the surgery center one hour before your appointment time. The surgery center staff will prepare you for the procedure by giving you a sedative and cleaning the skin around your eye. You will receive drops and a local anesthetic for numbing the surgical site. After your eye is numb, an eyelid holder will be inserted between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the surgery.

The ophthalmic surgeon will make a very small incision and will insert a tiny probe used to break up the cataract into microscopic particles. Then the particles will be suctioned out of your eye.

Then the surgeon will place a very small intra-ocular lens through the incision, which will automatically unfold and lock into place. The incision usually requires no stitches.

You will return home shortly after the surgery and you will be instructed to relax. Your vision will show improvement almost immediately after your surgery. Normal activities may be resumed within a day or two. Then the only restrictions are to not rub the eye or get anything in it.

After your surgery, if you experience a slight clouding of vision, you may be experiencing the clouding of a thin tissue that holds the intra-ocular lens. A quick office procedure called a Capsulotomy can be performed to open and clear the clouded capsule and restore clear vision.

Be sure to have all your questions answered by your ophthalmic specialist. Serious complications from cataract surgery are rare, but let your surgeon know right away of any pain or loss of vision which may occur after your procedure.