Cataract Surgery - Before, During, and After Surgery
Cataract surgery is the answer for those who are dealing with a clouding in their eye and blurred vision. When you have a cataract, your eye doctor will wait until it is “ripe.” Once it is, he or she will get you set up for cataract surgery to restore your clear vision.
When your eye doctor has decided that it is time for cataract surgery, an ultrasound test that will measure the shape and the size of your eye will be done. This test is painless and helps the eye surgeon figure out what power of lens implant they will need. If you are on medications, you may be asked to stop taking them, as it could increase the risk of bleeding. You may also be asked to use antibiotic eye drops for a few nights before the surgery. You will likely not be able to eat or drink anything for at least twelve hours before the procedure.
On the day of the surgery it is vital that you find someone who can bring you to the procedure and take you back home, as you will not be allowed to drive. During the procedure you will lie on a table and will be given some form of an anesthetic to numb the eye. Eyedrops will be placed in your eye to dilate the pupil. Once you are calm (often surgeons use a light sedative to achieve this) and the eye is prepared, the surgeon will go in with small instruments and will remove the cataract and replace it with a clear artificial lens.
After the procedure, your eye will be taped or covered with a shield to protect it for a short time while it heals from the surgery. You will see your eye doctor about a week after the procedure for him to check on your progress, and you’ll likely have another check-up scheduled for a month after surgery. You might feel itchy and have a bit of mild discomfort for a few days, and your doctor may prescribe more eye drops that you need to use. Once you have healed, which often occurs in a month or two, your vision will be back to normal.
To learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery as well as LASIK laser vision correction, custom LASIK, iLASIK™, ReZoom™ intraocular lenses (IOLs), and more, it is important to visit the LASIK surgeons at our LASIK laser eye surgery office in Long Island.