Cataract

Cataract surgery, which is also called lens replacement surgery, is the removal of the natural lens of the human eye that has developed a cataract, an opaque or cloudy area. The eye's natural lens is usually replaced with an artificial intraocular lens. Over time, metabolic changes of the crystalline lens fibres lead to the development of a cataract, causing impairment or loss of vision.

What to expect from cataract surgery:

Before the procedure:

A full eye examination will be performed to exclude any other pathology
Your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the intraocular lens to be placed in your eye
The different options of intraocular lens (IOL) will be discussed with you
The continuation of your usual medications before surgery should be discussed
Arrangements should be made to have someone drive you home after surgery
A day should be set aside for this procedure and no activities after the procedure should be planned

The day of surgery:

You can have a light breakfast, especially if you need to take your chronic medication
Before surgery you will be given eye drops and you may also be given a mild sedative
Local anaesthetic eye drops will numb your eye
You will be awake during the procedure, but you will be mildly sedated
The actual removal procedure will take approximately 20 - 30 minutes

After the surgery:

After surgery an eye shield will be taped over your eye
You can go home (the same day of surgery)
A post operative examination will be performed the next day

After care:

Use the eye drops as prescribed
Be careful not to rub or press on your eye
Avoid strenuous activities for two weeks
You may begin driving within a few days

Contact our office immediately if you notice if:

Your vision becomes worse
Your eye becomes more painful
Your eye becomes more red