What should I expect before surgery?
Initial Visit
Before deciding to have Cataract surgery, you will need an initial examination to make sure your eyes are suitable for surgery. Your doctor will take a complete history about your medical and eye health and perform a thorough examination of both eyes.

If you wear contact lenses, your doctor may ask you to stop wearing them before your initial examination (from the day of to a few weeks before), so that your refraction (measure of how much your eye bends light) and central keratometry readings (measure of how much the cornea curves) are more accurate.

At this time, your doctor will ask you if:

Take any medications, including over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other supplements
Have any allergies
Have had any eye conditions
Have undergone any previous eye surgery
Have had any medical conditions.

Deciding to have Surgery
To help you decide whether Cataract surgery is right for you, your doctor and you will thoroughly discuss your expectations and whether there are elements of your medical history, eye history, or eye examination that might increase your risk or prevent you from having the outcome you expect. Your doctor will discover and then conclude:

Whether you are a good candidate,
What are the risks, benefits and alternatives of the surgery
What you should expect before, during and after surgery
What your responsibilities will be before, during and after surgery.


Your doctor will have you finalize your surgical options and plans with a refractive coordinator.
Your refractive coordinator will review your surgical options based on your doctor's reccomendations, assist you in scheduling your surgical appointments, and give you detailed information regarding your responsibilities, before, during, and after your surgery.
Before your surgery, ultrasonic measurements of the eye will be taken to calculate the power of intraocular lens implant that you will need.
 

What should I expect during surgery?
Cataract surgery is performed on an out patient basis. You will not need to be hospitalized or put to sleep for your doctor to perform your surgery. The procedure normally takes less then 15 minutes and you can return home shortly after your procedure. Most people will enjoy improved vision by the day after surgery or within a few days following the procedure.

Your doctor will first administer a light sedative which will relax your nerves and keep you comfortable during the procedure. Anesthetic eye drops will be used to completely numb the eye. Your doctor will use the latest technology for cataract removal. The entire procedure is performed through an incision that is smaller the 1/8 or an inch and does not require stitches to heal.

Once the cataract is removed, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is placed where the cataract lens was removed, to restore your sight. Most patients will not require an eye patch and will not have any discomfort.

Most patients can return to their normal daily routines; including reading, driving, and exercise, the day after surgery.
 

What should I expect after surgery?
1. you will be brought to the recovery room for a short time where a surgical staff member will monitor how you are doing and provide detailed post-operative instructions.
2. Patients are pre-scheduled for a post-op exam at the doctor's office the day following surgery.
3. In most cases, the second post-op exam is schedul for one to two weeks following surgery. Additional post-op exams will be scheduled on an as-needed basis.
4. Prescription eye drops are to be used i nthe postoperative eye for about one month following surgery.