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Cataract Surgery (22)
Cataract surgery typically takes between 8-10 minutes; sometimes faster. You can expect to be with us on the day of surgery around 1-3 hours. It is an outpatient procedure so you will be going home after.
The short answer is, as soon as you notice that they begin to interfere with your daily living.
This usually means you think your glasses aren’t working well and you need a new prescription. In the past, older, outdated surgical methods required cataracts to be “ripe” in order to be removed (a term we no longer use to describe cataracts). With our modern advanced techniques and equipment, patients should not wait nearly as long. By removing cataracts earlier, the risk of complications is greatly reduced and patients can be provided with the convenience of uninterrupted clear vision.
Now that cataract surgery is one of the safest and most performed procedures, there is no need to wait.
For most people, cataracts begin to develop in your 40s and really start to impair vision in your 60s. Symptoms of cataracts affecting your vision include:
- The need for brighter light when reading (especially menus at restaurants)
- Gradual fading or yellowing of colors
- Difficult with seeing well at night
- Light sensitivity and glare
- Seeing bright rings of light (halos) around lights (especially car headlights)
- Cloudy, blurry or dim vision
- Constant eyeglass or contact lens prescription change
The cataract incision is usually self-sealing without stitches and, since there is generally no pain and no patch, you can return home 15 minutes after your procedure. You may experience a slight scratchy sensation, which will subside within a day or so. Your eye will be checked the day after surgery and then it’s back to living life and doing all the things you enjoy – from playing golf, swimming or driving – without restriction and with reduced dependency on glasses.
When the lens inside the eye becomes cloudy (less transparent), it is called a cataract. Light can’t pass through it as well, so vision becomes dull and blurred. Cataracts can develop at any age, but are typically a normal part of the aging process. Symptoms can be very subtle at first, but as a cataract develops (the lens becomes darker and cloudier) you may experience blurred or dim vision, difficulty reading, glare, halos around lights (especially at night), decreased ability to appreciate vivid colors, feeling like your glasses need cleaning and frequent changes in your eye glass prescription. Sometimes cataracts grow so slowly that patients aren’t even aware of how bad or advanced they are until they are removed and replaced with a new, clear lens.
Pricing for cataract surgery can range depending on your vision goals. Your cataract surgeon will discuss your lifestyle and desires. Based upon that discussion, your cataract specialist will recommend a package that makes sense for your unique situation. Your insurance and/or Medicare will cover basic cataract surgery where one of our cataract specialists will remove your cataracts and have you seeing great. However, if you want to have glasses freedom after cataract surgery, your will need more advanced technology such as a laser treatment to correct astigmatism and an upgraded cataract lens to provide sharp vision in all ranges (immediate, near and far). The best way to learn about cataract pricing for your unique situation is to call (727) 581-8706 or book an appointment online to schedule your consultation. You cataract consultation is covered by your insurance or Medicare.
Many people experience the phenomenon known as “Second Eye Syndrome” after cataract surgery.
Second Eye Syndrome is an occurrence that is seen with most patients. The patient feels their second eye surgery is completely different than the first eye. Patients will often state, “I don’t remember any of this from last time”, “you didn’t do this with my other eye”, or “I was asleep for this last time”. We do each procedure the same and as state above, patients are not asleep for this procedure as we need them to cooperate. The syndrome can best be described by saying it is like watching a movie for the second time. You tend to pick up on a lot more things that second time around. This is coupled with the fact that the “Versed” given to you has short term amnesia (forgetfulness) associated with it. This amnesia may prevent you from remembering everything about the second eye as well.
You will be given a topical anesthesia and intravenous (IV) anesthesia during your cataract surgery.
Topical Anesthesia: You will be given a series of eye drops to both numb the surface of the eye and dilate the pupil. Only the surface of the eye needs to be anesthetized, as that is where the procedure will take place. You will still be able to feel light touch and slight pressure but not pain. Think of going to the dentist office and receiving Novocain, you can feel the dentist working but it does not hurt.
Intravenous (IV) Anesthesia: Although not necessary, Intravenous sedation is often preferred by patients. This is given in order to help the patient relax during the procedure.
The medications given (if you are not allergic) are:
- Versed: This is an anti-anxiety medication with similar properties to valium. Versed works very quickly and wears off quickly.
- Fentanyl: This is a narcotic that works will with versed to optimize relaxation and comfort.
All medications are given in incremental doses to achieve a level of sedation and comfort that work for both the patient and the surgeon. You must still be able to hold still and focus on the microscope light during the procedure, you will not be “put asleep.”
No. Anesthesia has advance greatly to keep patient comfortable without causing unwanted side effects. You will feel slight pressure during the procedure but no pain.
This depends on the laser procedure you received.
- The Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) do not affect vision. There will be no need for glasses prescription changes.
- If you received a YAG laser procedure, then that depends on what intra-ocular lens (IOL) you received during your cataract surgery. If you had a standard cataract package, wait 2 (two) weeks after the laser procedure to get the most accurate prescription possible.
This depends on the laser procedure you received.
- If it is a Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) or Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT), there will be no improvement of vision.
- If you received a YAG laser procedure, your vision should improve. The laser will clear up the haze that developed after your cataract surgery.
After your cataract surgery, the prescription in your glasses is no longer the correct prescription for you. We recommend you pop out the lens in your eyeglasses on the side of your operative eye after each surgery. After your second surgery, you will have a POMR (Post-Operative Manifest Refraction) visit where you will receive an updated prescription, if applicable. That updated prescription can then be placed in your current eyeglass frames.
In real world terms we have 3 ranges of vision – Distance, middle, and near. We look at objects in these ranges all day long without thinking about it. After cataract surgery we generally correct one range of vision, usually distance, and have to use special technologies to get more.
Examples:
Near Vision – Books, newspapers, your phone, etc.
Intermediate (middle) Vision – Computer, tablets, grocery store shelves, etc.
Distance Vision – Driving, golfing, television, etc.
We have a team approach here at the Eye Institute and the surgeons have personally trained their staff to care for their patients when they cannot personally see each and every patient for their follow ups. You will meet most of us along the way and we are here for you at every stop of the process.
Our cataract specialists Dr. Desai or Dr. Weinstock; depending on who you saw for your visit will be performing your surgery. You may not see them… but they are there providing you with the best surgery possible.
Yes and no depending on the technology used. Basic or standard cataract surgery is covered by your insurance unless you have a co-pay or deductible that you are responsible for. There are technologies that we can use that are not covered by insurance like astigmatism corrections, lasers, or advanced lens choices. Our staff and surgical coordinators will help guide you through this process.
Our goal is to get each patient the best vision that they can possibly have. No surgery is guaranteed 100% successful. Success with cataract surgery is providing you a safe surgery with no complications while completely removing the cataract and placing a lens implant. 20/20 is a goal, not a guarantee, regardless of money spent on surgery, and we do the best we can to get patients to that goal. Sometimes this requires tweaks or other procedures after the initial surgery depending on how each patient’s eye heals. Patients can also have other eye conditions that can prevent them from getting “perfect” vision and we will try and manage these expectations and outcomes with you.
This depends on the technology that we use during your surgery and the package choice that you make. Our surgical counselors and team will help guide you with choosing what’s best for you regardless of price point. Our focus is to help you see as best as you can and match the lens choice and type of surgery to your goals at a price point affordable to you.
Yes, unfortunately, this is for your safety and to ensure the best outcome. You will have around 4-6 weeks of drops that you will need to do. The brands and frequencies can vary depending on insurance coverage and cost. We will help you along the way with what drops to use and how to use them.
When you get home after the procedure your eye may feel irritated, itchy or scratchy, sore, and the vision will more than likely be blurry (could be mild or majorly blurry) – this is all normal. Over the course of the next 3-5 days each day will be better and better. Most often, patients are noticing a big difference the next day even if things are not “perfect” yet. By the end of the first week after surgery most patients are feeling and seeing very well.
No, cataract surgery is typically not painful. Your eye is numbed and there is some mild sedation that we use to keep you comfortable. You may feel some pressure, cold or wetness from the drops, or be aware that things are happening but most people do not feel pain. If you are in pain you are awake enough to let us know during the procedure.
Yes, we give you a mild sedative to keep you comfortable. You are “sleepy” but not fully out. We do not use general anesthesia for this type of procedure.
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