Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear permanent implant. This is an often straightforward procedure, and usually takes less than 10 minutes to perform. There is no need for general anesthesia, which reduces the risk of surgery greatly, and no needles are used around the eye – only topical eye drops are needed to numb the eye. In addition, this is a no-stitch surgery. The implants can reduce or eliminate the need for any glasses after surgery because they can correct for hyperopia, myopia, astigmatism, and the need for reading glasses. Recovery is very quick and painless- patients can usually see quite clearly the next day, and often can resume normal activities within a few days.
Routine cataract surgery is so well tolerated that it has become the most common surgery performed in the US. As a result of many high-tech developments in all aspects of cataract surgery, the operation is more successful and has an extremely quick recovery time.
Newer designs of intraocular lenses (multifocal lenses) are now available and recommended by our surgeon. These newer lenses can correct for near-sightedness, far-sightedness, presbyopia (the need for reading glasses) and astigmatism. This means that after the cataract surgery, there is a high chance that glasses will no longer be needed for distance vision and reading. Not all patients are good candidates, however, so an examination must first be performed to determine if you are a suitable candidate for these advanced multifocal lenses.
An important new development in cataract surgery is the ability to perform the most critical steps of a surgery through the use of a laser. This greatly reduces the risk of certain complications and can improve the visual outcomes of the surgery.
