What to Expect During Cataract Surgery
With cataract surgery, your eye's cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant (called an intraocular lens or IOL). Cataract surgery is often performed as an outpatient procedure and does not require an overnight hospital stay.
Pre-Operative Tests for Cataract Surgery
Before surgery, the length of your eye will be measured in what is called an A-scan, and the curve of your cornea will be measured in a technique called keratometry. These measurements help your surgeon select the proper lens implant for your eye. You will also discuss the various lens options available to you.
If you plan to have cataract surgery and you have had LASIK or other laser vision correction, provide your eye surgeon with the vision correction prescription you had before LASIK, if possible. This information will help your surgeon calculate the correct IOL prescription for you.
Medications & Cataract Surgery
If you are having cataract surgery, be sure to tell your ophthalmologist about all medications and nutritional supplements you are taking. If you currently use or have ever used alpha-blocker drugs for prostate problems, such as Flomax®, Hytrin®, Cadura® or Uroxatral® , tell your eye surgeon. These medications may prevent your pupil from dilating properly during surgery, leading to possible complications. If your surgeon is aware that you have had these drugs, he or she can adjust their surgical technique to adapt as needed, allowing for a successful cataract removal procedure. You should also tell your eye surgeon about any other sedative medications you are taking.
To reduce the risk of infection from surgery, your ophthalmologist may prescribe antibiotic eyedrops for you to use one or two days before surgery.
The Cataract Surgery Procedure
The most common procedure used for removing cataracts is called phacoemulsification. A small incision is made in the side of the cornea (the front part of your eye), where your eye surgeon inserts a tiny instrument that uses high-frequency ultrasound to break up the center of the cloudy lens and carefully suction it out.
After the cloudy lens has been removed, the surgeon will replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant made of plastic, silicone or acrylic. This new, clear lens allows light to pass through and focus properly on the retina. The IOL becomes a permanent part of your eye. In most cases, the IOL is inserted behind the iris, the colored part of your eye, and is called a posterior chamber lens. Sometimes, the IOL must be placed in front of the iris. This is called an anterior chamber lens. When the IOL is in place, the surgeon closes the incision. Only rarely is a stitch required after cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
You will spend a short period of time resting in the outpatient recovery area before you are ready to go home. You will need to have someone drive you home.
Following your surgery, it is very important to put in the eye drops exactly as prescribed by your ophthalmologist to promote healing. You will also need to take care to protect your eye by wearing the eye shield whenever you sleep, and by wearing special wraparound sunglasses in bright light. Be sure not to rub your eye for 3 days.
The first week of your recovery, you must avoid strenuous activity such as exercise or bending and heavy lifting (including anything over 25 pounds). You will also need to avoid getting any water, dirt or dust in your eye, which can lead to infection.
You may have some blurry vision a few days to weeks after surgery procedure. If you experience any pain or loss of vision, be sure to call your eye doctor.
With Drop-a-Day surgeries you will have an increase in floaters right after surgery. which will then slowly improve over the next several days.
Cataract Surgery Risks & Complications
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks associated with cataract surgery. Risks and complications can include:
- Infection
- Bleeding inside the eye
- Increased pressure inside the eye (glaucoma)
- Swelling of the retina
- Swelling of the cornea
- Retinal detachment
- Loss of vision (partially or completely)
In some cases, the part of the lens covering that supports the IOL (called the capsule) can become cloudy several months or years after the first cataract was removed. This is called an "after cataract" or "secondary cataract." If this occurs and blurs your vision, your Eye M.D. will make an opening in the center of the cloudy capsule with a laser to allow light to pass through the lens properly again. This procedure, called a YAG posterior capsulotomy, takes about five minutes and requires no recovery period.
Most people who wear bifocals or reading glasses for near vision may still need to wear glasses after cataract surgery for reading, and, in some cases, even for distance. If you choose to have an accommodative IOL, your dependence on glasses may be minimized or, in some cases, eliminated completely.
Cataract Surgery Costs
It is your responsibility to contact your insurance company if you have any questions about your coverage. Once your surgery has been scheduled, Kearney Eye Surgical Center will contact your insurance company to get an estimate of your financial responsibility for that procedure. This would include any remaining deductible or co-insurance on your plan. Our policy requires this amount to be collected prior to your surgery. Once we get an estimate from your insurance company, a cost analysis will be created to clarify your expected cost. You will receive this in the mail prior to your surgery date. Please be aware, this is only “an estimated cost analysis.” We cannot guarantee payment or verify that definite eligibility of benefits conveyed to us or to you by your carrier will be accurate or complete. Payment of benefits are subject to all terms, conditions, and exclusions of the member’s contract at the time of service.