Cataract Surgery Step By Step

Preparing For Surgery
Your preliminary appointment will include a comprehensive eye exam, diagnostic testing and medical history review.  We will walk you through the procedure and make sure all of your questions are answered. You and your doctor will decide on which artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is right for you.  We only operate on one eye at a time.  Before the surgery, you will begin administering prescription eye drops.

The Surgery:  What to expect
The typical cataract surgery lasts 20 to 30 minutes and the entire process that day takes just a few hours.  The entire procedure is performed on an outpatient basis. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home. 

Your eye will be anesthetized and you will receive a mild sedative so you will stay relaxed and comfortable during your procedure, but you won’t be put to sleep. Our surgeons use minimally invasive state of the art technology and micro-incision techniques (no-stitch).  During this procedure, using an ultrasonic hand piece, the lens is removed from the eye and an IOL is folded, delivered through a small incision, unfolded and fixed into position once inside the eye. This is a minimally invasive technique conducted under local anesthesia; it involves no sutures, resulting in faster healing and fewer complications than conventional surgical methods.  

After the surgery
It is time to enjoy your newly restored vision! Your doctor will prescribe a personalized recovery schedule and specific instructions.  You will be prescribed medications to put in your eye based on this schedule.  You typically will return for a follow-up the next day, one week, three weeks and three months after surgery to make sure your eye is healing properly.