Getting through Cataract Surgery
Your ophthalmologist has explained the benefits of cataract surgery and a little about the procedure itself. He or she has likely done hundreds of these procedures, so it's a simple matter for your doctor. But it's your first time and you're a little anxious. Here is what you can expect on the day of your cataract surgery so you'll be more comfortable with the process.
Plan On Needing Some Help
You'll need someone to take you to your appointment and back home. Some of the medicine the doctor will put in your eye makes you sensitive to light, so driving is dangerous. The procedure takes about an hour, so your friend or family member won't have to wait long to take you home.
Removing the Cataract
Once you check into the eye doctor's office, you'll be seated in a comfortable chair that reclines lightly. The doctor and their assistant will push some equipment next to you. The two instruments used in this surgery are a microscope to allow the doctor to see your eye clearly and a laser or ultrasonic probe used to remove the cloudy lens in your eye.
The doctor will put drops in your eye to anesthetize it, so you'll feel nothing but a little pressure during the procedure. Next they will put drops in your eye to dilate the pupil for better access to the lens. These are the drops that make you sensitive to light for a few hours after the surgery.
Once the anesthetic has taken effect, your doctor will use one of the instruments to gain access to the lens. If the cataract is old, they may be able to remove it in one piece. However, it's more likely that they will break up the lens and remove it in pieces.
Getting the New Lens
With the old lens gone, the doctor will insert the new intraocular lens. This lens will have some vision correction built into it so your near or far vision will be improved. Once the lens is in place, the doctor will rinse your eye with an antibiotic solution and the procedure is done. On a rare occasion, people will need a stitch or two in their eye to close the incision.
After the Surgery
You'll be taken to a quiet area to rest for a few minutes. Your doctor will check on your eye to make sure the incision looks normal. They may give you an eye covering to wear to prevent you from rubbing your eye should it become itchy while healing. When the doctor is satisfied with how your eye looks, your friend can take you home.
The cataract procedure takes a small amount of time, but improves your vision a lot. Focus on this benefit during the procedure and have confidence in your doctor's ability. In a little more than an hour from the time you arrived at the eye clinic, the cataract will be gone and you'll be able to see the world much clearer. For further information about the procedure, speak with an eye doctor from a facility like Midwest Eye Care PC.