Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery Information

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. The lens is part of the eye that helps focus light on the retina. The retina is a light-sensitive layer of tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina through the cornea and lens. Cataracts cause clouding which reduces the sharpness of images reflected in the retina. This results in blurred vision.

Most cataracts are related to aging, usually starting at age 40. They are so common that by age 80 more than half of all Americans either have them or have already had corrective surgery. If you think you may have a cataract, trust in the skill of the Michigan ophthalmologists at Crew & Boss Eye Associates. They will determine if cataracts are the cause of your vision loss.

What Causes Cataracts?

A cataract is caused by one of two changes in the lens: clumping of protein or discoloration. The lens is primarily composed of water and protein. In the case of a cataract, the protein clumps up in areas. This clumping clouds the lens and reduces the amount of light that reaches the retina. The clouding can start with small clumps. Then it can increase in size to completely cover the lens requiring cataract surgery. In the case of discoloration, the lens slowly changes to a yellow or brownish color. Over time, this brown tint to the lens becomes more prominent, making it difficult to read and identify colors such as blues, purples, and blacks. Gradual discoloration of lenses does not affect the sharpness of the image. The natural wear and tear on eyes due to job requirements, lifestyle, and environment are possible factors causing cataracts.

Eye Surgery at The Operating Room — Big Rapids, MI — Crew & Boss Eye Associates

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?

Painless blurring of vision
Sensitivity to light and glare
Double vision in one eye
Poor night vision
Fading or yellowing of colors
Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription

What Are the Treatment Options?

If the impairment or symptoms caused by cataracts are affecting reading, writing, working, or enjoying the things you want to do, then it may be time to consider surgery. Cataract surgery is nearly painless and is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts. Surgeries have been performed on cataracts for over a century and have evolved with the times and changing technology.

The procedure, phacoemulsification, is performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgery itself takes approximately 15-30 minutes. To summarize, the eye surgeon makes a small incision on or around the cornea, removes the cloudy lens then inserts the new intraocular lens into place. With this technique, clear vision is restored almost immediately and the eye heals rapidly without stitches. The cataract procedure is performed the same way with most patients except for the type of intraocular lens (IOL).

What are my restrictions after cataract surgery?

After surgery, you will have to take eye drops to prevent infection and swelling. For the first week following surgery, you will wear a metal eye shield at bedtime. You should not rub the operated eye. We also recommend not lifting anything more than 25 pounds for 1 week after surgery. You may resume your normal activities without restrictions 2-4 weeks after surgery unless otherwise directed by your doctor. Always refer to your doctor’s instruction if you are unsure of your specific restrictions.

If you are considering cataract surgery in Michigan request an appointment with Crew & Boss Eye Associates today! Imagine your clear vision after cataract surgery.

SECONDARY CATARACT

About 30% of patients that have cataract surgery will develop what is commonly referred to as a ‘secondary cataract,’ or posterior capsule opacity. This is when the eye’s natural capsule that is used to hold the new, artificial lens in place during cataract surgery, becomes cloudy or opaque, causing a decrease in vision.

Treatment for this condition requires a laser called a YAG Capsulotomy. This procedure is quick, painless, and can be performed right in the office. If you are having vision difficulties following cataract surgery, call Crew and Boss Eye Associates today for an evaluation.

What is an Intraocular Lens?

An intraocular lens is a clear, artificial lens that is implanted in the eye during cataract surgery. When preparing for cataract surgery, your surgeon will discuss the options for your best visual outcome. Personalizing your procedure leads to better results and more visual independence for you. If greater freedom from glasses after cataract surgery is appealing to you, ask your Crew & Boss Eye Associates surgeon if you are a candidate for a Multifocal or Toric implant.

MONOFOCAL IMPLANTS:

The Monofocal implant is the single vision IOL which will provide clear vision at one distance, usually being long distance. This would require you to have glasses to correct any near vision problems you may have. You may also need glasses to help focus from near to far vision. If cataract surgery is required, Medicare generally covers the single vision IOL.

MULTIFOCAL IMPLANTS:

Multi-Focal and Extended Depth of Focus Implants use diffractive technology to provide patients with increased clarity in vision from near to far and everything in between. The implant splits light entering the eye to focus on those images at different distances. Multi-Focal IOLs give patients more independence from glasses and contacts. Multi-Focal or Extended Depth of Focus implants are not covered by insurance and require the patient to pay out-of-pocket.

TORIC IMPLANTS

If you have cataracts and also have astigmatism, new premium lens implants are available to improve your vision, including astigmatism after surgery. Toric IOLs are specifically designed to reduce or eliminate preexisting astigmatism. Astigmatism is a vision condition that causes blurred vision due either to the irregular shape of the cornea, the clear front cover of the eye, or sometimes the curvature of the lens inside the eye. An irregular-shaped cornea or lens prevents light from focusing properly on the retina, the light-sensitive surface at the back of the eye. As a result, vision becomes blurred at any distance. There is an out of pocket cost to the patient as TORIC IOL's are not a covered service by insurance.

It is important for you to know your options in Intraocular lenses, we want you to make an educated decision and be a part of the process of restoring quality vision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When should I have a cataract operation?

A: Most cataract surgery is elective. Optical Specialists recommend surgery when your vision falls to a level where your visual needs are impaired and is impacting your daily life.

Q: Will I experience pain during or after surgery?

A: The surgery itself has no pain associated with it. Typically, there is minimal discomfort associated with the local anesthetic that the doctor administers at the beginning of the procedure. After the surgery, you may have a slight amount of discomfort and your eye may feel scratchy.

Q: How long will my eye be bandaged?

A: You may wear the patch and shield home from surgery. You will wear a shield over the operated eye at bedtime for a week.

Q: Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

A: If you selected a Monofocal implant, you will often require glasses after cataract surgery for your best vision. Regardless of what type of lens you choose, when your eye has healed, your surgeon will have you visit your optometrist for a new refraction and glasses or contacts if needed.

Surgical Instructions

1. Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the hospital on the day of surgery.

2. The day of surgery:

Take your morning medications as per the hospital’s directions. Bring all medications to the hospital with you. They may be given to you at the hospital. If you have glaucoma, do not use your glaucoma medications in the eye to be operated on.
Hearing aids or dentures may be worn to the hospital. You should bring your reading glasses. Wear comfortable clothing. Shirts or sweaters which must be pulled over your head should not be worn. Please do not wear makeup.
Leave your valuables, including jewelry, at home.
Someone will need to drive you to and from the hospital. If at all possible, have a friend or relative remain in the hospital during your surgery and recovery. You will typically be ready to leave the hospital about 1 hour after the surgery is finished. Plan to do nothing but relax the remainder of the day.

3. What to expect in the operating room:

When you enter the operating room, you may need to move from a cart to the operating table. In order to make you more comfortable, we may place a pillow under your knees, which helps take the stress from your back. You will also have blankets placed over you. If you become too warm or cold, please let us know.
Once you have been made comfortable, the anesthesia personnel will place several patches on your chest to monitor your heart during the operation. You will also have a blood pressure cuff on one of your arms and a clip that is similar to a clothespin on one of your fingers to measure your oxygen level. An IV will be started in either your hand or arm so that we can give you some medication that will help you to relax. You will receive local or topical anesthesia. Although the eye is “numb,” it can still move so please look straight ahead and follow the doctor’s directions.
As the doctor begins the procedure of removing your cataract, you will hear various sounds from the equipment and surgical personnel in the operating room. If at any time during the procedure you feel pain or burning, let the doctor know.
If you have any questions or concerns during your time at the hospital, please let us know so that we can make your stay as brief and as easy as possible for you and your family.

4. After Surgery:

You may expect your eye and lid to be red, droopy, and/or discolored. Some mattering and tearing from the operated eye is normal. It is also normal for your eye to feel scratchy.
Moisten clean cotton balls or clean washcloth with warm tap water and use them to wash the discharge from your eyelids. Do this whenever necessary. Tylenol or aspirin may be used to relieve pain or discomfort as needed. You may resume taking your medications.
At bedtime, for the first week, tape the metal eye shield over the operated eye. Do not rub the operated eye.

5. Medications:

You will begin using specific eye drops per the doctor’s instructions. These eye drops may be taken one after another, waiting about 10 minutes between drops. Do not stop taking any of the drops until you are directed to do so. Bring your eye drops to your postoperative appointments.

6. Diet:

Eat lightly after surgery and resume your normal diet the day after surgery

7. Bathing:

You may bathe and wash your hair under the shower, as long as you keep your eye closed. If you wish to shower, avoid direct spray of water into your eyes.

8. Activity:

Exercise extra care around the home. Take your time climbing stairs. When you wake up, get up slowly, to avoid a dizzy spell. Be cautious of rugs, which may slip. When blowing your nose, do it gently, to avoid pressure on your eye.

PLEASE NOTE THESE SYMPTOMS WHICH COULD NEED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION