
What Can I Expect During Cataract Surgery?

Millions of people develop cataracts as they age. In fact, by age 80, about half of all men and women will have had either cataracts or surgery to correct them.
It’d be great if you could eliminate cataracts and their symptoms with eye drops. But so far, surgery is the only way to replace your cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens so you can see clearly again.
While any type of surgery is bound to cause some anxiety in most of us, cataract surgery can be even more nerve-racking, in part because the surgery is so “close up” and because you stay awake during the procedure.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is a lot simpler and a lot less nerve-racking than you might think. In this post, the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts details what you can expect during your upcoming surgery and throughout the recovery process that follows.
Cataract surgery: What to expect
Cataract surgery can be a game-changing experience for anyone dealing with poor vision caused by clouded lenses. In fact, cataract surgery is so safe, effective, and popular that it’s one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States, with millions of procedures performed every year.
What’s more, cataract surgery is straightforward and quick, with an average procedure only taking about 20-30 minutes. Better still, your eye is completely numbed, so you won’t feel any discomfort, and we can give you a sedative beforehand to help you stay relaxed without putting you completely to sleep.
Once your eye is numbed, we make a tiny incision in your cornea. Then, we insert the tip of a very tiny device that helps gently break apart the cloudy lens, allowing it to be carefully suctioned out. Once that cloudy lens is removed, we use the same incision to insert your artificial lens. The tiny incision heals on its own, so you won’t even need stitches.
After your surgery, we apply a protective shield or cover over your eye, and you spend a little time in a recovery area where we monitor you. Then, you’ll be discharged with complete care and recovery instructions. (You’ll need someone to drive you home.)
Recovering after surgery
For the first few days after your surgery, it’s normal to have some mild discomfort or itching sensations in your eye. Your eyes might feel a little gritty or sandy, too. This is all normal, but it’s extremely important not to rub your eye or put any pressure on it.
We prescribe eye drops to soothe your eyes, reduce inflammation, and prevent infection. You’ll also wear an eye cover when you sleep to avoid rubbing your eyes.
You’ll need to rest the day of your surgery, but most people resume light activity within a couple of days, following the instructions we provide at discharge. Don’t be surprised if your vision is a little blurry at first — it will clear up as your eye heals.
In most cases, you’ll have an initial follow-up visit the day after surgery, with subsequent checkups scheduled as needed. It’s important not to skip any of these appointments because they give us a chance to monitor your healing and recovery. The entire healing process takes about two months, but vision improvements occur a lot faster than that — often within a couple of days of surgery.
Enjoy clearer, crisper vision
Don’t let anxiety stand in the way of better eyesight. Cataract surgery is a simple, straightforward, time-tested solution for blurry vision and other vision problems caused by cataracts.
To find out more about cataract surgery and the techniques we use, request an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Long Island Ophthalmic Concepts in Bellmore and Great Neck, New York, today.
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