Goals of Modern Cataract Surgery:
As the simulation above shows, you can expect dramatic improvements in your near, intermediate, and distance vision following your almost painless procedure.
Your surgery can be expected to:
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Provide a full range of vision if you choose a CustomLens implant
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Minimize dependence on glasses including reading glasses and bifocals
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Improve lifestyle activities
What to expect before surgery
Dr. Frantz and you will determine if cataract removal is appropriate for you. Your surgery will then be scheduled at either our on-site Suncoast Surgery Center or an outpatient facility of your choice. You will be advised regarding the use of medication in the preoperative period. At your preoperative appointment, your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the focusing intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye during surgery.
What to expect the day of surgery
Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis. Depending upon the time of your surgery. you may be asked to skip breakfast. Upon arrival. you will be given dilating eyedrops. numbing eyedrops and perhaps medications to help you relax.
An eyedrop anesthetic will make the operation virtually painless. Though you may see light and movement, you will not be able to see the surgery while it is happening, and will not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed. The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed and sterile coverings will be placed around your head. When the operation is over, no patch is necessary, so you will be able to use your eye for vision immediately after surgery. Because your pupil will still be dilated, your eyesight may be somewhat blurry but will gradually improve over the next few hours and days.
After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. You are required to have someone drive you home.
What to expect after surgery
- Use the eyedrops as prescribed
- Be careful not to rub or press on your eye
- Use over-the-counter pain medicine if necessary
- Avoid very strenuous activities until the eye has healed
- Continue normal daily activities and moderate exercise
- Ask when you can begin driving
- Wear eyeglasses or a shield as advised
After cataract surgery, you may return almost immediately to all but the most strenuous activities. Several postoperative visits are needed to check on the progress of the eye as it heals.
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure
Improved vision is the result in over 95% of cases. unless there is a pre-existing problem with the cornea. retina or optic nerve. It is important to understand that complications including infection. bleeding and swelling, or detachment of the retina, can occur during or after the surgery, although they are rare.
Typically you will be normally sighted after cataract surgery: however, you may still have to wear reading glasses or bifocals to focus on near objects. As we get older, the ability to “focus” decreases. This condition, called “presbyopia,” cannot be corrected with cataract surgery: however, a Custom Lens implant may reduce your need for distance and reading glasses.
Astigmatic surgery combined with cataract surgery
At Florida Eye Health.you may choose to have a Toric IOL to treat the cataract and correct your corneal astigmatism or Dr. Frantz can perform a Iimbal relaxing incision (LRI) at the same time as cataract surgery. The Toric IOL is explained in further detail on the page entitled “Intraocular Lens Implants.”
Astigmatism occurs when the front of the eye, or cornea, is not perfectly round, but instead is asymmetrical–shaped more like a football than a basketball. Surgery to correct astigmatism usually involves making the cornea more round by making tiny microscopic incisions. Utilizing this technique, we have had excellent results in improving people’s vision, reducing their need for distance glasses after cataract surgery.
If you have astigmatism, Dr. Frantz will discuss the options available to you during your preoperative appointment.
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