Eye Surgery

The technique of cataract removal has undergone major changes and improvements. Not too long ago, cataracts were removed as one big piece through an incision over ½ an inch long. Today, our surgeons perform cataract surgery through an incision just slightly longer than 1/16 of an inch. A hand held surgical instrument is inserted through this 1/16-inch incision; ultrasound breaks (emulsifies) the cataract into many tiny pieces, which eliminates the need for a larger incision. There are many advantages to this smaller incision, a faster recovery time, decreased need for glasses after surgery, and a reduced risk for infection after surgery. In addition, many stitches were required to close up the old ½ inch incision. When our surgeons perform cataract surgery no stitches are usually needed, or at most 1 stitch.

During modern cataract surgery, the cloudy lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear lens implant. In the old days, there were no lens implants, and patients had to wear thick glasses after surgery. Now there are implant lenses that are inserted directly into the eye, reducing the need for glasses after surgery. The newest technology in implant lenses can even provide sharp vision at both distance and near, reducing or eliminating the need for glasses (even reading glasses) after surgery. Prior to surgery our surgeons help patients determine which type of implant lens is best for them.

Another dramatic advance in cataract surgery involves anesthesia. Long ago, patients were put to sleep with a general anesthetic. More recently, patients were given a shot behind the eye before surgery to numb the eye. Our surgeons perform the majority of adult cataract surgeries under topical anesthesia. Topical anesthesia requires numbing drops be instilled on the eye prior to the start of surgery, and it eliminates both the risks and discomfort of the shot behind the eye. Additionally, the shot made the patients vision blurry for several hours after surgery. With just numbing drops, patients notice more rapid improvement of vision.

Advancements in antibiotics have also benefited patients undergoing cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is among the most successful operations in all of medicine, but complications can occasionally occur. One of the most severe complications is an infection in the eye called endophthalmitis. To reduce the chances of getting endophthalmitis, our surgeons will prescribe antibiotic eye drops to be used before and after surgery. Additionally, good hand washing technique is critical prior to instilling any eye drops. The development of new antibiotics in the past few years have helped in reducing eye infections during cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is so well tolerated that it has become the most common surgery performed on adults in the United States. The high tech developments discussed above have helped make cataract surgery more successful than ever before.