What to Expect Day of Cataract Surgery

Thanks to advancements in cataract surgery technique, modern vision restoration procedures are comfortable and amazingly fast. Surgery is a matter of minutes, not hours, and because general anesthesia is no longer necessary, the procedure is safer than ever and recovery is far easier.

The procedure:

• Your eye will be numbed with a topical anesthetic administered as an eye drop. You will be given short-acting sedation through an IV that will keep you calm and comfortable during the procedure. You will be awake and aware of your surroundings but you will not be able to see.
• You will be attached to a heart rate monitor. Only the eye that is undergoing the operation will be exposed. The remainder of your face will be covered in a drape.
• Dr. Sandy T. Feldman will begin by making a tiny incision in the cornea or the front of the eye (this is an almost-painless process). She then inserts a tiny ultrasonic tool that is used to break up and remove the cataract. A new IOL is then inserted to allow the focus of light on the retina.  Stitches are often not needed because the incision is so small. The procedure only lasts about 15 to 30 minutes. During the procedure, you might be aware of the surgical team around you and instrument noises.
• To limit the odds of spreading infection, surgical gloves, masks, and scrubs will be worn in the operating room. Surgical kits with disposable solutions and instruments might also be utilized.
• At the completion of the surgery, the doctor will place a shield to cover the eye; this bandage is removed the next morning. You can be driven home after a short recovery period. 

Now that you know what to expect during your vision rejuvenation, learn more about what to expect after surgery.

Dr. Feldman and her caring staff will answer any questions you may have and address your concerns. Please call or email us today to schedule a consultation with San Diego cataract surgeon, Dr. Sandy T. Feldman.