RESTORE YOUR VISION IN MINUTES WITH CATARACT SURGERY

A cataract is a cloudiness in the lens in the eye. There are many different kinds of cataracts. The most common types become visually significant in patients age 70 and above.

The fix for cataracts, when vision gets bad enough and can’t be fixed by changing a patient’s glasses, is to surgically remove the lens of the eye. This is done by making two small incisions in the eye and putting a device inside the eye to chop and vacuum the lens material out. An artificial lens – chosen after taking precise measurements with the sophisticated IOL Master – is then rolled up in a tube and inserted into the very tiny incision. The ORA System’s advanced imaging provided continuous guidance and verification during lens placement and positioning.

Yes. In general, there are different types of lenses, with many subtleties as to which lenses work best in individual patients. Dr. Camp will discuss what could work best for you after taking complete, precise measurements of your eye.

All surgeries come with risks, but in cataract surgery is considered very safe and very effective. Dr. Camp will discuss risks when you work together to create a treatment plan.

Surgery is done with the help of an anesthesiologist watching your general health status. You will have an IV in place to give very small amounts of medication to keep you comfortable and calm. Attention to being still is obviously important, but most patients are able to cooperate easily. The surgery itself doesn’t take very long, about 10 minutes.

Some patients can experience discomfort, but this is usually easily controlled with anesthesia. The eye can be a little scratchy after surgery for a half-day.

Not typically. If one is needed it’s no big deal, but usually this isn’t necessary.

Dr. Camp does not usually patch the eye during the day after surgery. For a couple of nights he suggests covering the eye with a shield to keep you from rubbing while sleeping.

It typically takes a few days for the cornea to reduce swelling, and in that time vision can be even blurrier than before surgery. When the swelling diminishes – often with the help of specific eye drops – your vision should be restored.

Nothing is guaranteed! Swelling can sometimes last for a few weeks after surgery, and in some cases swelling starts weeks after the procedure. Every surgery, patient, eye and healing process is different. Dr. Camp and his staff will use their expertise to help you achieve optimal results.

Dr. Camp suggests that patients take it easy for at least two weeks after surgery, and to not lift anything heavier than 20 pounds during that time. Specific recovery instructions will be given at the surgery center.

No. Patients sometimes think they do, but it’s usually a layer of film growing over the membrane immediately behind the implanted artificial lens. This film can easily be treated with a laser to open up the visual pathway.

If your vision is blurry after cataract surgery, return to Dr. Camp for an evaluation. There also might be a completely separate reason for the vision to be blurry, and time is of the essence in the treatment of some of conditions, so get checked immediately!

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