Today cataract lasik surgery has become one of the most common and yet least debilitating surgeries out there. The procedure has become so patient – friendly that most people have great eyesight the very next day and with minimal discomfort following surgery. Most people can return to full function within 1 -2 days. What other surgery offers that?
Unlike the senior citizens of yesterday, our older population today leads an active and busy lifestyle. They exercise, socialize and drive more than they ever did before and because of this, the timing of cataract laser surgery has changed in the field of ophthalmology. Previously we would wait until the cataract was “ripe”. Now we base the timing of cataract laser surgery on numerous issues including: difficulties with driving or reading fine print (on medication bottles or the newsflashes that move across the bottom of the television). After all, who doesn’t want every driver out there to have the best vision possible? It benefits our entire community to keep every member as independent as possible, for as long as possible. The attitudes of our population have changed, and this has had an effect on the medical community. We now perform cataract surgery when “daily living activities” are impacted. The surgeon and patient together should decide when the timing for the surgery is right.
The amazing thing about cataract eye laser operation is that it may allow you to see as clearly as you did at an extremely young age. This is because a crystal clear lens replaces your cloudy one.
Prior to the cataract laser surgery, the patient will visit with their eye doctor who notifies them of the situation. The doctor can recommend a professional surgeon capable of performing the operation. Additional appointments need to be made with this surgeon, to further examine the problem, and discuss the operation. This is the perfect time for the patient to ask any questions they might have. The procedure itself is done in an operating room at the doctor’s office, though the cataract removal surgery may be done in their office too.
The lasik surgery starts with the patient arriving for a quick check up, and to check into the hospital or office. The patient then needs to change into a hospital gown, and are taken to a separate room for preparation. The first step is to receive the anesthesia. This can be done through a needle and IV, though in some cases doctors will use a gas. The surgeon then gets to work on the actual cataract surgery.
This is done by propping open the eyelid using a lid speculum. The eye needs to remain fully open throughout the cataract laser operation. There are also other tools that are used, to keep the eye functioning even as the operation is done. The cataract itself is cut open, and a small slit placed in the lid. This helps the doctor remove the damaged lens without damaging the eye. The new lens is then used in place of the original one. This lens is often made of a pliable plastic material, though it may be made of another material as well. Once the cataract operation using laser is complete, the patient is moved to a recovery room.
Following the laser cataract operation, a plastic and metal patch is installed over the eye. This patch is used to protect the eye from damage and dirt or debris that may injure the new lens. After the cataract surgery the patient needs to follow specific instructions including using prescribed eye drops in their eyes every few hours. The day after the cataract surgery, the patch can be removed and the patient should be fine. They will simply need to have their eyes checked again by the doctor to keep an eye on cloudy vision after cataract surgery.
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