Cataract Surgery at the Eye Clinic of Austin
In the 1950s and 1960s, the standard process to remove a cataract was to make a large incision in the eye, remove the lens, and then stitch the incision up. Because of the stitches, it was standard to have the patient wear an eye patch to protect the eye to prevent injury or infection. After the eye healed, the patient then would need to wear thick glasses to restore some vision since the lens had been removed.
No Needle, No Stitch Cataract Surgery
With the advances in today’s technology, the cataract is removed and a synthetic lens is placed in the eye. This lens ensures that you retain your vision, which eliminates the need for thick glasses. Plus, the incision to remove the cataract is so small – about 2 to 3mm – that stitches are not usually necessary. Your eye will heal on its own.
Safe Surgery = Speedy Recovery with Eye Clinic of Austin
While cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, not all surgeries are performed in the same manner. In the hands of skilled surgeons like Dr. Henderson and Dr. Falknor, this is a relatively straight forward outpatient procedure that typically takes between 10 to 20 minutes per eye. Patients usually experience little or no discomfort during the procedure and normally return to their regular activities the day after surgery. With over 3 million cataract surgeries performed in the United States each year, cataract surgery is considered to be one of the safest and most effective of all medical procedures.
The Procedure
Once the incision is made, the lens is gently broken up and removed. Your surgeon will then insert the flexible intraocular lens (IOL) into your eye and ensure that it is correctly in place. The IOL is a lens that replaces your natural lens and performs exactly like your natural lens. There are multiple types of IOLs to choose from, and Dr. Henderson or Dr. Falknor will discuss each of them and recommend the best IOL for you prior to your surgery.
Once the IOL is in place, the procedure is complete. The entire process takes about 10-20 minutes. Once your eye is stable, the procedure may be performed on your other eye – usually about two-three weeks later. You will need to ensure that you have a ride home as you will be wearing a protective shield over your eye until you are home and overnight during the first week following surgery. Complete recovery may take up to a few weeks, but most patients can return to normal activities the next day and strenuous activity after one week.
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