Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is an outpatient surgery that can be done at a hospital, or more commonly in an ambulatory surgery center. There is no overnight stay involved. Mild sedation is given and the eye is numbed either with eye drops alone or with an injection around the eye. In either case, the patient does not feel the surgery. A small incision is made in the cornea, the clear part of the eye, and an ultrasound probe is placed in the eye. The cataract is then broken up by ultrasound waves, and the small pieces are removed from the eye using the probe. A lens implant, or intraocular lens is then placed into the space formerly occupied by the cataract. Most times the wound is closed without sutures. The surgery usually takes only 15 to 30 minutes. The patient is then discharged home with an eye shield.
Choice of Intraocular Lens Implants
Typically, patients who undergo cataract surgery receive a monofocal IOL that doesn’t correct existing vision problems such as astigmatism or presbyopia. If you have astigmatism, you may still experience blurred and distorted vision because a monofocal IOL cannot correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism. The Alcon AcrySoft IQ Toric intraocular lens implant helps to correct pre-existing corneal astigmatism during cataract surgery.
If you have presbyopia, you may still experience blurred and distorted vision when performing intermediate and near activities because a monofocal IOL only allows clear vision at one point, typically distance. Glasses are usually required for near and intermediate work. The Restor and Restor Toric intraocular lens implants are multifocal lenses that allow improved vision at near, intermediate, and distant points with a reduced dependency on glasses. ..These new lenses reduce or eliminate dependence on bifocals and reading glasses for everyday activities allowing patients to experience a fuller range of vision.
