How do they do cataract surgery?

Question

Im getting it this week and i am so scared. i dont get it though. will they like cut my eyeball or what? will i have to watch them bc i cant shut my eyes or anything. im not really afraid it will hurt but i will be awake during the procedure. but im most scared of having to watch them stick a knife right in my eye...

Answer 1

First, the information you have been given that the doctor uses a laser for cataract surgery is WRONG. Laser is NEVER used for a primary cataract surgery. But don't worry. The surgeon uses a very small scalpel to make a very small incision with NO PAIN at all. Here is what will happen

First, you will probably be given a mild sedative to relax you. The doctor will have your eye numbed with a deeply numbing DROP (no needles anymore). Then the surgeon will make an incision at the border between the white part of you eye and the cornea. Through this incision, the doctor will insert an instrument and remove the central anterior capsule of the lens so as to give him access to the internal structures of the lens that has the cataract. Once the anterior lens capsule is removed the surgeon will use an ULTRASOUND (not a laser) probe that vibrates extremely rapidly. The vibration will break the lens cortex (the cloudy part needing to be removed) into pieces that will be then sucked out of the eye. Once the body of the cataract has been removed the surgeon will then insert an IOL (intraocular lens) through the incision sight and place the lens within the capsular bag that he has created by removing the internal structure of the cataractous lens. Once the IOL has been positioned inside the capsular bag the surgeon will release the IOL from the inserting instrument and it will unfold into exactly the same place that your old cataractous lens used to be. The surgeon will then remove the inserting probe from the incision and the incision will seal itself requiring no stitches. All this will occur while you are lying there happy as a lark, in no pain, and thinking wow this is cool. So DON'T WORRY. Concentrate on how much better you're going to see. Hope all goes well.

Answer 2

You will be given a tranquilizer or mild sedative to relax you and they will put a whole lot of numbing drops in your eye. You will be so relaxed you won't mind it a bit.

You will have your chin and head on a rest sort of like the equipment they use to check for glaucoma in the opthalmologist office. They don't use a knife. They use a laser. All you will see is red. They only cut the very top of your eye and remove the cloudy lens or scar and replace it with a "new" one.

It's over in a jiffy and the worst you will feel is a little irritation for a day or so. You won't believe how much brighter the world will seem! Good luck!

Answer 3

My dad had cataract surgery about 2 years ago and he is fine now.

He said it was a bit awkward but not painful at all. And after the surgery, for a day or two he used painkillers, but in fact the next day he was alright.

So many people are getting eye surgeries these days, I'm sure you will be fine :)

Answer 4

Cataract surgery is so commonplace it is outpatient surgery and most people do not have any trouble with it at all. Here is a link to a website that explains it really well. Good luck! O^O

Answer 5

As a healthcare provider I can assure you that it will be painless, and usually anxiety free due to the medications used. Relax, I promise you it will be fine.

Answer 6

This is an everyday "laser" procedure, so relax. The after benefits completely outweigh any anxieties you are currently experiencing. God Luck x

Answer 7

they will put you to sleep so you won't know a thing. it doesn't hurt afterwards, just watch that you follow the doctor's directions after.