Cataract Surgery – Smithtown, Riverhead, Long Island Tweet

Video: Cataract Surgery Recovery

Dr. Zweibel explains that patients may experience a more difficult time driving at night or focusing on light when they have cataracts. He details what cataract surgery involves and how quickly patients can return to their normal activity. Usually, only one day of rest is suggested before a patient can return to work. Enlarge Video View All Videos

A cataract is a clouding of the lens that occurs due to the clumping of proteins within the eye, which obstructs light passing through to the retina, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts are a common vision complication that affects millions of Americans. According to the National Institute of Health, cataracts occur in greater than half of all people aged 80 or older. The condition can occur long before this, however.

By undergoing cataract surgery at our Long Island offices - Smithtown, Riverhead, Deer Park, and Holbrook - you can restore your vision and greatly enhance your quality of life. There are various types of cataracts, and multiple treatments, surgical and non-surgical, can be utilized to alleviate or eliminate the condition. The treatment that is right for you will depend on your degree of vision loss. If severe, then cataract surgery will be necessary. To arrange a consultation in Smithtown, Riverhead, or at any of our Long Island offices, please don't hesitate to contact North Shore Eye today.

Cataract Surgery - Standard Procedures

Cataract Surgery – Smithtown, Riverhead, Long Island For atypical cataract cases, we employ our skills to provide the best results possible for our patients. Ourteam of eye surgeons has extensive experience with cataract surgery in special clinical settings, and can treat compounding conditions. However, many patients' needs can be met through industry-standard approaches. Typically, the cataract or clouded ocular lens is removed, and an intraocular lens - a clear, plastic, maintenance-free lens that acts just as a natural lens would - is inserted as a replacement. Though highly effective, cataract surgery is only necessary if your cataract significantly interferes with daily activities, such as driving, reading, recognizing images, or watching television. If we determine that your cataract can be treated through non-surgical means, such as with eyeglasses or the use of brighter lighting while at home, we will advise you of this.

If a cataract is severe and significantly hinders vision, or prevents the examination or treatment of other eye conditions, it should be removed. There are different types of cataract surgery, both at our Smithtown, Riverhead, and Long Island offices, we perform the following for best results:

Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery - Commonly referred to as phaco, this method involves making a small incision along the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped covering on the front of the eye. With the use of local anesthesia, the procedure can be made pain free. Once the incision has been made in the side of the cornea, a small probe is inserted to break up the cataract through the emission of ultrasound waves. Once the clumped protein of the cataract is emulsified, it is removed via suction. An intraocular lens is then inserted in its place. Shortly after completion of the surgery, which can be completed in only 10 minutes, you can return home. For our patients' benefit, we do not use needles, stitches, or even eye patches in the treatment or aftercare of the eye.

Cataract Surgery Recovery

This industry-standard approach is effective, safe, and quick, and recovery time is minimal. You will require an escort to take you home from our office, but your vision improvement will be noticeable almost immediately, and you will be able to return to normal activities just a couple of days after surgery. Full healing may require up to eight weeks. There may be some irritation following surgery, but this is normal. The eyes will likely be sensitive to light and touch as well, and there may be some marginal fluid discharge. To promote healing and alleviate discomfort, eye drops will be prescribed.

Contact North Shore Eye Care

North Shore Eye Care is a leader in cataract surgery in the Long Island area. Our offices in Smithtown, Riverhead, Deer Park and Holbrook allow us to treat patients from throughout the area, and we are proud of the care that we provide. If you are experiencing clouded or blurred vision, we can help. Our team has extensive experience diagnosing cataracts and can determine the degree of your vision loss and the best course of action to rectify the condition. To arrange a consultation, please contact our Long Island eye care center today.