Some Commonly Asked Questions
Q: How does cataract surgery work?
A: Cataract surgery today is an outpatient procedure. The patient reports in the morning and returns home the same day. Often times, there are no patches and no needles around the eye
Q: How do I know when my Cataract is "ripe"?
A: This term is an old-fashioned term that is no longer in favor today. In the past, cataracts were taken out using a large wound and when the cataract had "liquified" or "ripened". Nowadays, cataracts are disolved in a no-stitch operation and "ripeness" is no longer applicable.
Q: Then how do I know wether it is time to have my cataract removed?
A: The right time to have your cataract removed is when it interferes with your activities of daily living. For some people, this takes place when they can no longer read, drive, sew or watch tv with the same level of vision that they would like. For others, this occurs, when they are bothered by other cataract symptoms, such as glare, double vision, halo, or difficulty functioning in bright lights.
Q: Can I see immediately after surgery?
A: As with any surgical procedure, everybody's body heals differently. Some patients can see immediately after surgery, while other patient's experience "swelling" and thus vision takes longer to "clear up"
Q: How come some people get patches on their eyes after surgery while others don't?
A: It depends on how the doctor numbs the eye for surgery. Most patients can be numbed with eye drops, and do not need to be patched after the surgery. However, others need an injection to numb the eye, and this requires a patch afterward for protection.
Q: Is laser vision surgery very risky?
A: Only after a complete eye exam can the specialist establish whether or not you are a good candidate for laser vision surgery.
Q: I am older and would like to eliminate glasses entirely. I was told this is impossible and I would always need glasses. Is this true?
A: Some patients have no need for glasses at all after cataract or laser vision surgery. The Ophthalmologist, after a complete exam, can explain how this is done and whether or not you are a good candidate.
Q: Should I have both eyes operated on at once?
A: It depends on the surgery. Laser vision correction surgery can be used to operate on both eyes at once for added convenience with minimal increase in risk. Cataract surgery, because it is surgery inside the eyeball, should be done in a sterile room (operating room) and each eye should be done separately.