Cataract surgery is considered one of the safest surgical procedures performed today. Recent advances in technology and technique have made it gentler and more reliable than ever.
Cataract surgery can be completed on an outpatient basis. The following five steps describe the process you will undergo when receiving cataract surgery:
Step 1: Preparation of the Eye
To ensure that cataract surgery is as comfortable as possible, two forms of anesthesia are used to numb your entire eye. Topical anesthesia bathes and numbs the surface of the eye, while the intraocular medication Xylocaine eliminates all sensation inside of the eye. This method of numbing the eye without needles is used in order to maximize patient comfort.
Step 2: Self-Sealing Incision made
Once the eye is completely numb, your surgeon will use an instrument to make a tiny, beveled “self-sealing” incision. This self-sealing incision allows the eye to heal without stitches. It works because the eye’s internal pressure holds the incision tightly closed. The self-sealing incision is less than 2.5 mm long, and is made at the edge of the clear cornea (the transparent covering of the front of the eye).
Step 3: Cataract Removal
Cataracts form inside of the lens capsule, which is like an elastic bag that holds the lens in place. To remove the cataract, the surgeon carefully opens the front portion of the lens. Next, a tool called a phacoemulsifier is inserted through the incision. The phacoemulsifier is used to gently break up the cataract with ultrasonic vibrations and then remove it out of the lens capsule. The surgeon is careful to leave the lens capsule intact so that a lens implant can be inserted into it.
Step 4: IOL Replaces Cloudy Lens
After the cataract has been completely removed, an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted in place of the natural lens. This allows light to focus on the retina, resulting in clearer vision. There are many types of lenses that can be placed in the eye. IOLs can correct a wide range of preexisting refractive problems, including farsightedness, nearsightedness, and even astigmatism. For more information on the various types of IOLs available, visit our page on Multi-focal Lenses.
Step 5: Antibiotics and Anti-inflammatory Medicine Placed in the Eye
Before your surgery is complete, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine will be placed inside your eye. The antibiotics will reduce your risk of infection, while the anti-inflammatory medicine will promote healing and lessen your need for post-operative eye drops, which can be inconvenient and cause side effects.
