Cataract Surgery: Cataract Eye Operation Explained

Cataract Surgery - What you need to know about cataract surgery. Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures.

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and in most cases, it is replaced with an artificial lens. Normally the lens of your eye is clean. Cataracts cause the lens to become cloudy, which eventually affects your vision.

Cataract Surgery

About Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means you do not need to stay in the hospital after surgery. Cataract surgery is very common and generally a safe procedure.

Surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. Your ophthalmologist will recommend the removal of the cataract when it prevents you from doing what you want or needs to do.

During cataract surgery, your cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens. That lens is called an intraocular lens (IOL). Your ophthalmologist will talk to you about IOLs and how they work.

Cataract Surgery Basics

What You Should Know About Cataract Eye Surgery?

In cataract surgery, the lens inside your eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL) to restore clear vision.

The procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or other care facility.

Most modern cataract procedures involve the use of a high-frequency ultrasound instrument that breaks up the cloudy lens into smaller pieces, which are then gently removed from the eye with suction.

This procedure, called phacoemulsification or "phaco", can be performed with smaller incisions than previous surgical techniques for cataract removal, to promote faster healing and reduce the risk of cataract surgery complications, such as retinal detachment...

After all remnants of the cloudy lens have been removed from your eye, the cataract surgeon inserts a clear intraocular lens, placing it securely behind the iris and pupil, in the same space that your natural lens occupies. (In special cases, the IOL may be placed in front of the iris and pupil, but this is less common.)

The surgeon then completes the cataract removal and IOL implantation procedure by closing the incision in your eye (a stitch may or may not be needed), and a stitch is placed on the eye to secure it in the early stages of your cataract surgery. A protective cover is put on. health benefit.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Recently, a number of femtosecond lasers, similar to the lasers used to create corneal flaps, have been approved by the FDA for use in cataract surgery performed in the United States.

These lasers have gained approval for the following steps in cataract surgery, reducing the need for surgical blades and other hand-held devices:

• Making a corneal incision to allow the surgeon access to the lens
• Removal of the anterior capsule of the lens
• Fracturing the cataract (so little phaco energy is needed to break and remove it)
• Making a peripheral corneal incision to reduce astigmatism (when necessary)

Laser cataract surgery (or, more accurately, laser-assisted cataract surgery) is fairly new and significantly increases the cost of cataract surgery, primarily because the cost of a laser can range from $300,000 to $500,000 for the surgeon and its There are other significant costs associated with the use and maintenance of this technology.

While studies have shown that lasers can improve accuracy during certain stages of cataract surgery, they do not necessarily improve cataract surgery safety, recovery time, and visual outcomes in every case.

For the latest information on laser cataract surgery, ask your eye doctor during your preoperative eye exam and cataract surgery consultation.

What to Expect With Cataract Surgery

Before Surgery:

Your surgeon will measure your eye to determine the proper focusing power for your IOL. Also, you will be asked about any medicines you take. You may be asked not to take some of these medicines before surgery.

You may be given eye-drop medicines to start with before surgery. These medicines help prevent infection and reduce swelling during and after surgery.

Day of surgery:

Your ophthalmologist may ask you not to have any solid food for at least 6 hours before surgery.

Cataract removal surgery can be done in an outpatient surgery center or hospital. Here's what will happen:

• Your eye will be numbed with eye drops or an injection around the eye. You may also be given medicine to help you relax.
• You will be awake during surgery. You can see light and motion during the procedure, but you will not be able to see what the doctor is doing with your eye.
• Your surgeon looks through a special microscope. She makes small incisions (cuts made with a blade or laser) near the edge of your cornea. The surgeon uses these incisions to access the lens in your eye. Using very small instruments, he will break up the lens from the cataract and remove it. Then she puts on your new lens.
• Usually your surgeon will not need to sew the incisions closed. These "self sealing" incisions will close on their own over time. A shield will be placed over your eye to protect it while you are recovering from surgery.
• You will rest in the recovery area for about 15-30 minutes. Then you will be ready to go home.

Cataract Surgery Recovery

• Days or weeks after surgery:
• Avoid getting soap or water directly in the eyes.
• You may need to use eye drops after surgery. Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions for using these drops.
• Exercise, drive or do other activities again.
• You will need to wear a protective eye shield while sleeping.
• Do not rub or press on your eye. Your ophthalmologist may ask you to wear glasses or shields to protect your eyes.
• Your ophthalmologist will talk to you about how active you can be soon after surgery. He or she will tell you when you can safely.

What are The Risks of Cataract Surgery?

Like any surgery, cataract surgery carries a risk of problems or complications. Here are some of those risks:

• Eye infection.
• Detached retina (when the retina lifts up from the back of the eye).
• Ongoing swelling of the front of the eye or inside the eye.
• There is blood in the eye.
• Inflammation of the retina (The nerve layer at the back of your eye).
• The IOL implant can become dislocated, moving out of position.
• Pain that does not get better with over-the-counter medicines.
• Damage to other parts of your eye.
• Seeing aura, glare, and dark shadows.
• Blurred vision
• Vision loss.