Patients who cannot lie flat for cataract surgery should be warned that their surgery may have a higher risk of surgical complications.
The patient sits upright or semi-recumbent, and the surgeon sits or stands, facing the patient. The microscope is rotated forward, and surgery is done via an incision in the lower half of the cornea, using topical intracameral anesthesia.
As cataract surgery has to be performed while you're lying down to avoid the risk of complications associated with performing the procedure in a sitting position, if you're unable to lie flat for the duration of the surgery (typically around fifteen minutes), we won't be able to proceed with your operation.
The first step in cataract surgery is to ensure that both the patient and surgeon are comfortably positioned. Phacoemulsification is routinely performed with the patient lying supine with the head flat.
You can discard your eye shield the morning after your cataract surgery, but it's still advisable to sleep on your back for a couple of weeks so your eye doesn't come into contact with your pillow and pick up any particles from it. This will help your eye to heal and reduce the risk of infection.
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Various drapes will be placed over your face and shoulders to keep the operation area clean. You can still breathe normally. You will need to keep still and not talk during the surgery.
Patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia are required to remain immobile, supine, and have their faces and upper body covered.
It's estimated that around 80% of patients see colours during their cataract surgery. The most common colours are blue and red, although pink, yellow, green, purple, turquoise and orange have also been reported. Nearly all patients who see these colours during their cataract surgery say that it's a pleasant experience.
An eye holder gently keeps the lid open during the procedure to prevent blinking. Although this may sound alarming, there is usually little to no sensation from the lid holder because the eye gets numbed before its use.
Tape the patient's head to the operating room table before starting the surgery. I use paper tape to gently hold the patient's head in place during the procedure. Place it over the forehead and use a tape that is gentle and will not damage delicate skin.
You will be given eye drops to numb the eye. The anesthesiologist will give you medication through an I.V. to relax you. If you are still anxious or not fully comfortable, additional I.V. medication is given so that you are essentially asleep through the procedure.
We will give you a light sedative so you can relax during the surgery. Then, we apply a local numbing agent to the eye so that you don't feel anything and are less inclined to blink. We will then fit a special device that prevents your eyelids from moving while we apply the laser.
Don't: Eat or Drink Right Before the Surgery
While under sedation, there is a chance of stomach acid going into your lungs, which can cause damage. You will need to fast for about 12 hours before surgery to ensure you are safe from this effect.
take it easy for the first 2 to 3 days. use your eye shield at night for at least a week.
Here are some things that you may want to avoid before and after cataract surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection.
You'll be given a gown to wear over your clothes and will not need to get changed for the procedure. Avoid wearing any makeup, perfume or cologne, aftershave, spray-on deodorant, or hairspray to the surgical center.
In the first day or two after cataract surgery
Your vision will seem hazy as your pupil will remain dilated for 24-48 hours after cataract surgery. Sunlight and artificial light will seem a lot brighter than normal as the dilated pupil lets in lots of light.
Do not bend over or do any strenuous activities, such as biking, jogging, weight lifting, or aerobic exercise, for 2 weeks or until your doctor says it is okay. Avoid swimming, hot tubs, gardening, and dusting for 1 to 2 weeks. Wear sunglasses on bright days for at least 1 year after surgery.
Several hours following the surgery, most patients are able to watch some television or look at a computer screen for a short period of time. It's important however that you don't over-exert your eyes during the first 24 hours post-surgery. You can expect to return to most normal activities during the first week.
It is very common to have blurry or unclear vision in the days and sometimes even weeks after cataract removal. Most of the time, this is caused by normal swelling in the eye which occurs as a part of surgery. Patients with larger, denser and/or firmer cataracts are more likely to experience more inflammation.
When the eye is completely numb, an instrument will be used to hold your eye open while the procedure is completed. This instrument ensures that you will not blink during cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful surgeries involving the eye.
All IOLs can provide excellent up-close vision without glasses. After cataract surgery, you can read without using reading glasses again. There's no need to hunt down your readers because your eyes can focus on objects near you.
Clearer vision
Having cataract surgery clears up your vision. When your old lens is replaced with a new lens, images become crisper and sharper than before.
During surgery, we use a local anesthetic to numb your eye so you won't feel anything during the procedure. You'll be awake during surgery, but you won't be able to see what's happening in your eye.