What to Expect During Cataract Surgery

It is natural to have questions and concerns if you’re considering cataract surgery. We’re here to provide all the information you need to feel confident and prepared for your surgery.

Cataracts, commonly associated with aging, occur when the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, resulting in blurred vision. The only way to treat cataracts effectively is through surgery.

Things to Expect During Cataract Surgery

Before your surgery date, you’ll have a consultation with your ophthalmologist. During this visit, your eye will be thoroughly examined, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have. 

Make sure to follow the pre-surgery instructions given by your doctor, including abstaining from food and drink before the procedure.

On the day of your cataract surgery, you’ll arrive at the Center, where their friendly staff will greet you. The staff will provide you with any necessary paperwork to fill out and prepare for the surgery procedure.

Anesthesia and Sedation

Cataract surgery usually involves local anesthesia. It allows you to remain awake while ensuring your eye is numb, preventing discomfort during the procedure. Also, you might receive a gentle sedative to promote relaxation.

The Surgical Procedure

Cataract surgery typically lasts around one hour. You’ll remain awake during the procedure, but medications will numb any pain. The surgery involves the following steps:

• Numbing the eye: The surgeon uses eye drops or an injection to numb your eye. You may also receive medication to help you relax.
• Creating incisions: Using a special microscope, the surgeon makes small sutureless incisions near the edge of the cornea (the transparent part of the eye). These incisions allow access to the lens.
• Lens removal: Depending on the type of surgery, the surgeon either breaks up the cataractous lens into smaller fragments using ultrasound (small-incision cataract surgery) or removes the lens’s contents in one piece (extracapsular surgery).

Following the removal of the cataract, your surgeon will implant an artificial lens known as an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision.

Schedule a Cataract Surgery Consultation in Loveland, CO

Ready to take the next step towards a clearer vision? Schedule a consultation with Kirk Eye Center in Loveland, CO. 

Kirk Eye Center is here to provide you with compassionate, expert eye care. As the only independent eye-care provider in Northern Colorado, our team has been serving the community since 1991. Contact us at 970-669-1107 to book your appointment today.