Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery each day globally. While the procedure is extremely safe and has very few serious risks, the recovery from the procedure may take several weeks.
Before the Surgery
Before the cataract surgery, there will be a consultation visit to assess the health of the eye and the entire body before performing the procedure.
The consultation visit may occur between a week and a month before the date of the surgery.
At this consultation visit, in addition to assessing the health of the eyes and body, measurements will be taken to ensure that the lens implant is the proper power and has the proper positioning.
Health risks such as dry eyes and glaucoma can be treated before the consultation visit but will be evaluated once again at the consultation visit before proceeding with the surgery.
During the Cataract Surgery
On the day of the cataract surgery, the surgeon will perform final verification and preparation procedures before beginning the operation.
There is typically not a need for general anesthesia and local numbing agents will provide sufficient numbing to perform the procedure.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that does not require a stay overnight in the hospital or surgery center.
A patient having cataract surgery should not drive themselves home from the surgery but can walk easily with additional support and precautions.
First Day After Cataract Surgery
On the first day following cataract surgery, an eye shield will be worn for the entire day until a post-operative appointment either with the surgery center or the referring eye doctor.
At the one-day post-operative appointment, an eye doctor will evaluate the healing of the eye.
Often there is mild redness, tenderness, and light sensitivity in the first few days after the surgery.
These symptoms should not be severe and any more advanced symptoms such as bleeding, intense pain, or other issues will require treatment.
Any infections that are present will be identified at the one-day appointment.
After the one-day appointment, if there are no complications, the eye drop schedule and use will begin as directed by the surgeon.
Eye Drops After Cataract Surgery
Following cataract surgery, several eye drops will be needed each day.
These eye drops help to prevent infections, reduce inflammation, and manage any remaining pain.
Steroid eye drops are prescribed to reduce the inflammation in the eyes, including swelling in the cornea, redness in the eyes, and swelling around the eyelids.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory eye drops are sometimes prescribed to alleviate any remaining pain that persists after the surgery. This pain is typically very mild, and the eye drops are used as a preventative measure.
Recovery After One Day
After the one-day post-operative appointment, another appointment will be made for one week and the last post-operative appointment is usually at one month after the surgery.
There is a 90-day period where all visits pertaining to the surgery are covered by the single surgical fee. Within this period, a new glasses prescription can be written, or the other eye can be evaluated for cataract surgery in the second eye.
If there are any complications with the surgery, they are usually minor and able to be managed within the standard post-operative period.
0 Comments