When you arrive at the eye surgery center, a staff member will greet you and review and update any paperwork that might require clarification or additional information. Wear comfortable loose clothing and in most cases you will be able to stay in your cloths. You will then be transferred to the pre-operative area where the nurses will then begin by placing eye drops in your eye to dilate your pupil and numb the surface of your eye. The use of eye drop anesthesia is sufficient for most Cataract patients so that they feel just about nothing and experience little if any discomfort at all. You will then meet your anesthesiologist who will begin to give you some relaxing medication. It is important to know that although you will be very relaxed and you may not remember the procedure, you will be awake and in full control of your eyes.
You will then be moved into the operating room. In preparation for your surgery the operating room nurse will clean your eye. A sterile drape will be placed around the eye to be operated on. You will have plenty of air to breath.
To begin your surgery, Dr. Duzman will place a very small incision at the outermost edge of the Cornea. Because of the size and the position of this incision it is “self sealing” and rarely requires stitches to heal properly. The incision is just large enough to allow a precise microsurgical instrument about the size of a pen tip to pass through it. This instrument is actually a sophisticated surgical instrument that generates high frequency sound waves-or Ultrasound. By inserting the instrument through the tiny incision, the surgeon can use Ultrasound to gently break apart your cataract so that it can be washed away and removed from your eye. This surgical technique is called “Phacoemulsification”. Phacoemulsification is the preferred technique to remove the vast majority of Cataracts in the United States today.
After the Cataract has been removed, Dr. Duzman will insert a new clear permanent artificial intraocular lens implant or IOL through the same tiny incision at the edge of the Cornea. Dr. Duzman will insert the Lens Implant especially picked for your eye, so that it is folded up at first and will then allow it to unfold so that it can be set in the correct position.
During your Cataract Surgery you will be aware of your surrounding, but you will not be able to see images or the surgery being performed. Expect to see team members in scrub uniforms and surgical gowns wearing masks to protect the sterile area. Your surgery will typically take less than 15 minutes per eye during which you should not experience pain and minimal if any discomfort. If you do experience pain during the surgery it is important to tell Dr. Duzman. Your surgeon will complete the surgery by placing some antibiotic drops and possibly some anti-inflammatory drops in your eye to prevent infection and prevent swelling.
Upon completion of your Cataract and Lens Implant Surgery, one of the surgery center staff members will take you to a comfortable place where you will be able to rest and relax prior to going home. After resting for a short while, a surgery staff member will discharge you and have a caregiver, family member or friend drive you home. You will then take medications to control inflammation and reduce the chance for infection. Dr. Duzman will go over these medications with you at every visit. Dr. Duzman will follow you as necessary after surgery to assure optimal results. You should expect significant visual improvement within the first few days after surgery. Complete healing may take up to a month.
An Important Note About Cataract Surgery
A significant number of men in their 50’s and 60’s and beyond experience an enlarged prostate as part of the aging process. Today, many of men are taking the prescription medication Flomax or other similar medications that are members of the class of drugs called “alpha-agonists”.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU NOTIFY YOUR SURGEON BEFORE YOU HAVE CATARACT SURGERY IF YOU ARE TAKING ANY MEDICATION FOR AN ENLARGED PROSTATE