CATARACT
CATARACT SURGERY OVERVIEW
What is cataract surgery?
- An inpatient operation at a day hospital facility.
- Your surgeon is most likely to use a sutureless approach, with either standard ultrasonic (phaco-emulsification) or laser assisted with ultrasonic (femtosecond laser with phaco) techniques.
- The ultrasonic energy dissolves the cataract into small fragments.
- Vacuum and irrigation techniques are used to remove the fragments.
- An artificial IntraOcular Lens (IOL) is inserted.
- More complicated surgeries may require wound suturing.
What is involved in the procedure?
- On admission, your nurse will instil pupil-dilating drops to your eye.
- Your anaesthetist will perform either a local (needle block) or topical (eye drops) anaesthetic. A general anaesthetic is reserved for special cases.
- You will be lightly sedated during the surgery.
- You might still have eyelid sensation but not experience pain.
- You may see some lights or colours and hear some sounds.
- You should remain still during the operation
- The surgery typically takes less than 20 minutes.
- You will have a patch/shield on the eye to go home.
- Follow the instructions provided for post operative care.