Cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, compared with any other surgical treatments.

Normally, the lens of your eye is clear. A cataract causes the lens to become cloudy, which eventually affects your vision. Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the lens of your eye and, and replace it with an artificial lens. Cataract surgery consists in removing the opaque own lens and implanting an artificial lens in its place. The procedure is performed using the micro-cutting phacoemulsification method (the latest generation Stellaris apparatus from the American company Bausch & Lomb).

Usually, the patient will be awake during cataract surgery. You might notice lights or motion, but you won’t be able to see what your doctor is doing.

When you undergo this surgery, your doctor will put numbing drops into your eye to keep you from feeling anything, use tiny tools to cut into your eye, break up the lens, and take it out, place the new artificial lens in your eye.

At KCM Clinic we use the best-class non-abrasive, aspherical, and multifocal lenses.

Cataract surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, so the patient does not have to stay in the hospital after the surgery. The procedure takes about an hour or less to perform. Cataract surgery is very common and is generally a safe procedure, carrying low risk. It is also one of the safest surgical procedures.

The patient must consult one of our doctors in order to qualify for cataract surgery. Before the operation, a visit is necessary, during which the selection of lenses is carried out. A week or so before your surgery, your doctor performs a painless ultrasound test to measure the size and shape of your eye. This helps determine the right type of lens implant (intraocular lens, or IOL). In addition, the patient must perform all the necessary tests and consult an anesthesiologist.

You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before your cataract surgery. Your doctor may also advise you to temporarily stop taking any medication that could increase your risk of bleeding during the procedure. Please, inform your doctor if you take any medications for prostate problems, as some of these drugs can interfere with cataract surgery.

Antibiotic eyedrops might be prescribed for use one or two days before the surgery.

After the surgery, you will usually stay in the doctor’s office for about an hour to make sure your eye pressure doesn’t rise.

The dressing on the operated eye should remain until the first follow-up visit. After the first eye examination, eye drops will be prescribed and the date of the next follow-up visit scheduled. In the first 2-3 weeks, you should avoid physical exertion, as well as pressing and rubbing the operated eye.

After cataract surgery, you should expect your vision to begin improving within a few days. At first, your vision may be blurry as your eye heals and adjusts.

The way you see the colors may seem brighter after your surgery because you are looking through a new, clear lens. A cataract is usually yellow- or brown-tinted before surgery, muting the look of the colours.

It’s normal for the patients to feel itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days after surgery. You need to avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye.

For a few weeks after the operation, you will need to avoid any strenuous activity, or lifting up heavy items.

Your doctor may also recommend wearing the protective eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period.

Your doctor may prescribe eyedrops or other medication to prevent infection, reduce inflammation, and control eye pressure. Sometimes, these medications can be injected into the eye at the time of surgery.

After a couple of days, most of the discomfort should disappear. Often, complete healing occurs within eight weeks.

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience vision loss, pain that persists despite the use of over-the-counter pain medications, increased eye redness, eyelid swelling, light flashes or multiple new spots in front of your eye.

Most patients need glasses, at least some of the time, after cataract surgery. Your doctor will let you know when your eyes have healed enough for you to get a final prescription for eyeglasses. This is usually between one and three months after surgery.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor usually schedules the second surgery after the first eye has healed.

After 8 weeks, your eye should be fully healed. The majority of patients see better after cataract surgery. However, you should not expect your vision to be perfect. You may still need to wear glasses or contacts. Most patients usually go back to work with light duties two or three days after surgery. However, full recovery from cataract surgery usually takes one to two months. This includes the time needed for the eye to adjust to the replacement lens and the restoration of your vision to its highest potential.

The most important rule to keep in mind after cataract surgery is to lead a relaxed lifestyle. During the eye healing process, it is also worth paying attention to dusty places and avoiding contact with infectious environments. It will also be necessary to use appropriate sunscreen glasses, which will protect the eye from damage from harmful radiation and blue light. Although the eye returns to full fitness fairly quickly, many doctors emphasize that it is worth consulting an ophthalmologist before driving.

Severe intraoperative and postoperative complications are possible but not likely and are usually manageable.

Complications are more likely if you have another eye condition. Sometimes it’s better to treat other conditions prior to having cataract surgery to ensure that you obtain the best visual results.