You'll receive local anesthetics to numb the area, and you may be given a sedative to help you relax. If you're given a sedative, you may remain awake, but groggy, during surgery. During cataract surgery, the clouded lens is removed, and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted.
In some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens. Using an ultrasound probe to break up the lens for removal. During a procedure called phacoemulsification fak-o-e-mul-sih-fih-KAY-shun , your surgeon makes a tiny incision in the front of your eye cornea and inserts a needle-thin probe into the lens substance where the cataract has formed.
Your surgeon then uses the probe, which transmits ultrasound waves, to break up emulsify the cataract and suction out the fragments.
The very back of your lens the lens capsule is left intact to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest. Stitches may be used to close the tiny incision in your cornea at the completion of the procedure. Making an incision in the eye and removing the lens in one piece. A less frequently used procedure called extracapsular cataract extraction requires a larger incision than that used for phacoemulsification.
Through this larger incision your surgeon uses surgical tools to remove the front capsule of the lens and the cloudy lens comprising the cataract. The very back capsule of your lens is left in place to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest. This procedure may be performed if you have certain eye complications. With the larger incision, stitches are required. Once the cataract has been removed by either phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction, the artificial lens is implanted into the empty lens capsule.
After cataract surgery, expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. Your vision may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts. Colors may seem brighter after your surgery because you are looking through a new, clear lens.
A cataract is usually yellow- or brown-tinted before surgery, muting the look of colors. You'll usually see your eye doctor a day or two after your surgery, the following week, and then again after about a month to monitor healing. It's normal to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye. Your doctor may ask you to wear an eye patch or protective shield the day of surgery.
Your doctor may also recommend wearing the eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation and control eye pressure. Sometimes, these medications can be injected into the eye at the time of surgery.
After a couple of days, most of the discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing occurs within eight weeks. Most people need glasses, at least some of the time, after cataract surgery. Your doctor will let you know when your eyes have healed enough for you to get a final prescription for eyeglasses.
This is usually between one and three months after surgery. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor usually schedules the second surgery after the first eye has healed. People who've had cataract surgery may develop a secondary cataract.
McMillin, M. Eric Sollenberger, M. Allyn Hildebrand, O. Daniel Horton, O. Joy Stone, O. Sharon Billingsley, O. Mia J. Guillory, O. Gregory Everett, O. Kathryn V. Kibler, O. Nicole R.
Lamb, O. Alyssa Invergo, O. Shawn Sussmane, O. Shawn Molloy, O. For Appointment:. What Are Cataracts? Symptoms of cataracts include: Blurred vision Seeing double Greater sensitivity to light Difficulty seeing at night or needing more light to read Seeing colors as dull or having a yellow tint There are three types of cataracts : posterior subcapsular, nuclear sclerotic, and cortical. What Happens In Cataract Surgery? The Short Term This is what makes so many people exclaim about how amazed they were by the results of successful cataract surgery as most are and talk about it for weeks, describing how much clearer their vision became afterward.
In the Hours Following Surgery The post-surgery rejoicing is a combination of the contrast with how clouded your vision was before the surgery and the crystal clear new lens that was implanted. Post-Surgery Instructions Expect to have a follow-up visit to your doctor scheduled the day after the surgery, and perhaps another a week later. As we say in an earlier blog article: Avoid rubbing your eyes. Do not bend at the waist or pick up heavy objects. Avoid splashing water directly into your eyes, especially when showering.
Avoid strenuous physical activity for at least three weeks. If eye pain or discomfort is affecting your sleep, you should address it with your doctor to help determine potential solutions or treatments. Your surgery should not come at the expense of your hygiene, however you should avoid exposing your eye to direct water contact for at least a week.
You can resume washing your face the day after your surgery while being careful to not touch your eye. It is recommended that you do not splash water directly on your face, rather use a washcloth to carefully clean your face. While your surgery incisions should close and heal within a few days, it is important to continue to be diligent about not getting water in your eye during the initial recovery period. Be sure to always have your eyes closed when washing your face and avoid rubbing the healing eye.
As your eye heals from your cataract surgery, try to focus on maintaining a diet that is beneficial to your overall health, including fiber-rich whole foods, leafy green vegetables, and lean protein.
The foods that you will want to avoid are the ones that are generally associated with poor eye health, including foods that are high in sugars or are high in refined carbohydrates such as bread, pastas, chips, cereals, etc. These foods can spike blood glucose levels in the body and can lead to damaging blood vessels in the eye, ultimately slowing down your recovery time after surgery. As your eye goes through the recovery phase from cataract surgery, it is important that you do what you can to help the process go smoothly.
There is a lot to consider, but by following your post-operative instructions, avoiding strenuous activity, and protecting your eye from debris and physical contact you will be well on your way to a healthy eye and much-improved vision.
If you are considering cataract surgery for yourself or a loved one, please reach out to us at Heart of Texas Eye Institute for a free consultation. Change Font Size A Decrease font size. Payment Portal. Doctor Portal.
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