How is Cataract Surgery Performed?

Cataract surgery is considered 1 of the safest surgical procedures performed today. Recent advances in technology and technique accept made it gentler and more reliable than ever.

Cataract surgery tin can be completed on an outpatient ground. The following 5 steps depict the process you will undergo when receiving cataract surgery:

Step 1: Preparation of the Heart
To ensure that cataract surgery is as comfortable every bit possible, two forms of anesthesia are used to numb your entire centre. Topical anesthesia bathes and numbs the surface of the eye, while the intraocular medication Xylocaine eliminates all sensation inside of the heart. This method of numbing the eye without needles is used in order to maximize patient condolement.

Stride two: Self-Sealing Incision made
Once the eye is completely numb, your surgeon will use an instrument to brand a tiny, beveled "self-sealing" incision. This self-sealing incision allows the centre to heal without stitches. Information technology works considering the eye'due south internal pressure holds the incision tightly airtight. The cocky-sealing incision is less than 2.five mm long, and is fabricated at the edge of the clear cornea (the transparent covering of the front of the middle).

Pace three: Cataract Removal
Cataracts course inside of the lens capsule, which is like an rubberband bag that holds the lens in identify. To remove the cataract, the surgeon advisedly opens the front portion of the lens. Next, a tool called a phacoemulsifier is inserted through the incision. The phacoemulsifier is used to gently pause up the cataract with ultrasonic vibrations and and then remove it out of the lens capsule. The surgeon is conscientious to leave the lens capsule intact so that a lens implant can be inserted into information technology.

Stride 4: IOL Replaces Cloudy Lens
After the cataract has been completely removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted in place of the natural lens. This allows calorie-free to focus on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. At that place are many types of lenses that can be placed in the center. IOLs can correct a wide range of preexisting refractive bug, including farsightedness, nearsightedness, and even astigmatism. For more information on the various types of IOLs bachelor, visit our page on Multi-focal Lenses.

Step 5: Antibiotics and Anti-inflammatory Medicine Placed in the Center
Earlier your surgery is complete, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine will exist placed within your center. The antibiotics volition reduce your take chances of infection, while the anti-inflammatory medicine will promote healing and lessen your need for post-operative eye drops, which can be inconvenient and crusade side furnishings.

Earlier your Cataract Surgery

Should someone accompany me on the solar day of surgery?
We request that you bring someone with yous on the twenty-four hours of cataract removal surgery.

How long will I be at Tomoka Surgery Center the twenty-four hours of my surgery?
Most patients should plan to be at TSC between 2-3 hours from the registration to belch.

What should I bring with me the twenty-four hour period of surgery?
We recommend that y'all bring the following when coming to Tomoka Surgery Center:

Friend or family fellow member (someone to assist with paperwork, driving home, etc.)
Medicare or insurance cards
Medication – enough for the time you volition exist away from abode
Current prescription spectacles (even if not worn presently)
Listing of prescription medication including dosage and strength
Sweater or jacket
Reading material or busy work

I take several prescription medications, including a blood thinner. Should I continue these before surgery?
Yes. Take all prescription medications as yous normally would with a sip of water.

I wear contact lenses. May I wear my contacts until the day of surgery?
Please stop wearing soft contact lenses at to the lowest degree one week prior to surgery, and hard lenses two weeks prior to surgery.

May I consume earlier surgery?
No. Nosotros recommend that you do not consume earlier arriving.

May I wear makeup?
Please do not wear whatsoever makeup on the day of surgery.

I'm on oxygen. Should I bring information technology with me?
Yes, bring more than plenty oxygen for a iii hr stay.

During your Cataract Surgery

Will I feel annihilation during surgery?
Well-nigh patients feel only gentle pressure during cataract removal surgery at our Florida practice.

What do I come across during surgery?
Near patients merely meet the brilliant lights of the microscope.

May I have medication for my nerves?
It is non required, merely some patients practice request medication to help them relax. If you exercise elect to take medication for your nerves, please have someone accompany you to the clinic if possible.

Will I need to have blood drawn before the surgery?
No, we do non draw blood.

I was told to have antibiotics earlier receiving dental work. Should I have them before eye surgery likewise?
Unlike the mouth, the eyes are very make clean. You lot volition not need to take antibiotics unless instructed by your doctor before the operation.

How soon may I leave after having cataract removal surgery?
Nearly patients are able to leave within an 60 minutes of having cataract surgery.

I was told I need surgery on both eyes. When may I receive treatment for my 2d eye?
You may have your surgeries i week autonomously.

Will I be able to see immediately later on the performance?
About patients' vision is quite blurred after the surgery from the dilating drops and brilliant microscope lights.

What will happen before I'm discharged?
After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room where we volition appraise your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure etc.) and check your eye force per unit area. At this time, we will besides explicate your postoperative instructions and medications to you and a friend or family member. Afterward, we will brand arrangements to check you the following day.

My back keeps me from lying apartment. What position must I exist in for the surgery?
Nosotros will need you to prevarication downwardly for surgery; even so, our experienced OR team has worked with well-nigh every medical condition that presents special needs. We will be able to work with y'all to make your experience as comfy as possible.

Does every patient demand an implant?
The vast majority of patients require an implant to replace the natural lens or cataract. Just in very rare cases of farthermost nearsightedness is an implant not required.

May I bulldoze myself dwelling house?
No, we recommended patients bring a friend or family fellow member to drive them home due to relaxing medication.

Sometimes my blood pressure gets high when I'm nervous. What happens if it's also high?
If we are unable to manage your blood pressure level with medication, your surgery may exist postponed until yous consult with your primary md.

Exercise I need a physical before surgery?
Yes, on the day of surgery a staff medico will assess your general wellness so we can grant medical clearance for your surgery.

After your Surgery

Did I receive a lens implant during surgery?
Intraocular lenses are required except in very rare cases of extreme nearsightedness.

What fabric is my implant made of?
Most of the implants used at Tomoka Surgery Center are made of either silicone or PMMA (plastic).

Will the implant need to exist replaced in the time to come?
The intraocular lens implant volition remain in your eye permanently and will not "wear out."

Can my heart refuse the lens implant?
No, since the intraocular lens is not made up of human tissue, your body cannot reject it.

Was a laser used to remove my cataract?
Your cataract was removed by ultrasound, not light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. In a process called phacoemulsification, sound waves were used to gently break upwards the cataract before it was removed from the center. Lasers are currently being developed to remove cataracts.

Should I wear my quondam glasses later surgery?
Wearing your old spectacles will not harm your optics, only will probably not give you optimal vision either. Nearly patients discover it all-time to vesture glasses only for reading.

How come up my close-up vision isn't as skillful as my distance vision?
Your ability to see well up-close depends on the type of intraocular lens you received. For most IOLs, it is normal to require reading spectacles after cataract surgery.

Is it safe to resume activities such as golf game and reading?
Yes, we encourage y'all to resume normal activities as before long as yous wish. Routine activities such as angle and lifting will non impairment your centre.

How soon may I resume driving after surgery?
For most cataract surgery patients, vision improves significantly in the first 24 hours after surgery. You lot may drive equally before long as you feel comfy doing so.

Is information technology safe to wing after cataract surgery?
Flight afterwards cataract removal surgery volition non impairment your middle.

When may I wear make-up again?
You may clothing lipstick and powder immediately after surgery. However, yous should avoid centre make-up for ii weeks after surgery.

Is it safe to have my hair washed or get a permanent?
Yep, as long as you take sensible precautions to avoid chemic contact with your eyes.

Why does information technology feel similar there is something in my middle afterward my surgery?
During cataract surgery, a microscopic incision was made on the surface of your center. When you blink, you lot may feel a slightly scratchy sensation until the incision heals. After surgery, many patients find that using artificial tears helps to alleviate discomfort.

The center drops that I was instructed to utilise after surgery sting my eye. Is this normal?
It is common for some eyedrops to burn or sting. You should continue to employ your eyedrops equally prescribed. However, if your discomfort seems to be worsening, or y'all experience a subtract in vision, phone call usa immediately.. Some patients find that using "artificial tears" v minutes before placing medicated drops in the eye decreases irritation.

After surgery, I noticed a spot of blood on the white of my eye. Should I be concerned?
The white role of the heart (sclera) is covered by a clear layer of tissue (conjunctiva). When a tiny claret vessel breaks, the blood becomes trapped below the conjunctiva. Since the tissue is articulate, the blood is clearly visible. If this were to happen on your arm, you would have a blue or purple bruise because the skin is non transparent. This will non affect your vision and will gradually resolve on its own.

On the way abode from surgery I saw huge halos around all the lights. What causes this?
This dramatic glare was due to the fact that your student was notwithstanding dilated from the surgery. Later dilation wears off, vision should render to normal.

My glare problem has improved dramatically since the surgery, but I withal occasionally notice halos or streaks on lights at night. What causes this?
At that place are many factors that can crusade glare. A slight need for glasses (refractive error) is 1 of the almost common reasons you may notice slight glare at night. Also, some patients experience pocket-sized corneal swelling afterward surgery that may cause temporary glare.

Since my surgery a few weeks ago, everything has a pink tint. What causes this?
This pink tint is due to slight swelling in the retina and is not uncommon after surgery. It will gradually get away every bit y'all use your postoperative eye drops. Nonetheless, always contact your eye doctor if you notice a change in your vision. Since sun exposure can aggravate this problem, information technology is too of import to protect your eyes with sunglasses when outdoors

Why does everything have a blue tint since surgery?
Patients with cataracts see their world through a yellow tint. It's merely like wearing yellow-tinted ("blue-blocker") sunglasses, which block colors from the lower terminate of the colour spectrum (blues and violets). When the cataract is removed and replaced with a clear implant, you lot volition see these unfamiliar colors again. This is much more dramatic for some patients than others.

If y'all have boosted questions about cataract removal surgery, please contact one of our surgical coordinators.