The lens of the eye is normally a transparent structure, however sometimes due to aging or injury, it can become clouded, this is referred to as a "cataract". This condition can lead to impaired vision and possibly blindness if untreated. Fortunately, it can be corrected in most cases with an operation. When considering cataract surgery San Antonio TX patients should first find out what's involved in it.
After the patient is given a local anesthetic, the surgeon will make a tiny incision on the lateral part of the cornea using a laser instrument. Then a device which produces ultrasonic vibrations is inserted in the incision, which causes the diseased lens to disintegrate into small particles which are vacuumed out of the eye. The procedure is known as "phacoemulsification".
A synthetic lens, known as an "intraocular lens" is implanted in place of the original one. These are designed to direct light onto the retina much like a natural lens does, and are made from clear acrylic, plastic, or silicone. Once installed they are meant to be permanent and don't need any special care to maintain them.
A cataract operation is typically an outpatient procedure, and the patient can return home shortly after. It is normally completed in less than an hour, and in most instances the patient remains awake but sedated throughout the procedure. Surgeons prefer to only operate on one eye at a time, so if the patient has cataracts in both eyes, two surgeries will be needed, usually several weeks apart.
Following the surgery, one can expect to feel some minor irritation, watering of the eye, and increased light sensitivity. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can usually help manage any discomfort, and the use of sunglasses is useful to shield the eyes from the sun when outside. Eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection as well. Simply resting for a day or so afterwards is usually all the recovery time it requires.
Most patients will experience improved vision as early as the day after the operation. New eyeglasses will be prescribed and once about a month has passed since the surgery, the maximum degree of improvement will be apparent. It is important for the patient to use all medications the doctor prescribes in order to ensure the best outcome possible.
Generally a lens implant is a permanent fixture that will last for the patient's lifetime and will not need to be replaced. Although rarely, there may be clouding of the lining of the lens several months or years after it has been installed. This happens as a result of cell growth in the membrane of the eye which surrounds the synthetic lens.
Patients who are experiencing this complication, will undergo a quick and painless procedure known as a "YAG laser capsulotomy". This can be done in the opthalmologist's office and only takes a few seconds. A laser is used to remove the obstructive cell growth, allowing the patient to once again see clearly. Cataracts will never regrow however, since they can only form on a natural lens surface.
After the patient is given a local anesthetic, the surgeon will make a tiny incision on the lateral part of the cornea using a laser instrument. Then a device which produces ultrasonic vibrations is inserted in the incision, which causes the diseased lens to disintegrate into small particles which are vacuumed out of the eye. The procedure is known as "phacoemulsification".
A synthetic lens, known as an "intraocular lens" is implanted in place of the original one. These are designed to direct light onto the retina much like a natural lens does, and are made from clear acrylic, plastic, or silicone. Once installed they are meant to be permanent and don't need any special care to maintain them.
A cataract operation is typically an outpatient procedure, and the patient can return home shortly after. It is normally completed in less than an hour, and in most instances the patient remains awake but sedated throughout the procedure. Surgeons prefer to only operate on one eye at a time, so if the patient has cataracts in both eyes, two surgeries will be needed, usually several weeks apart.
Following the surgery, one can expect to feel some minor irritation, watering of the eye, and increased light sensitivity. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen can usually help manage any discomfort, and the use of sunglasses is useful to shield the eyes from the sun when outside. Eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection as well. Simply resting for a day or so afterwards is usually all the recovery time it requires.
Most patients will experience improved vision as early as the day after the operation. New eyeglasses will be prescribed and once about a month has passed since the surgery, the maximum degree of improvement will be apparent. It is important for the patient to use all medications the doctor prescribes in order to ensure the best outcome possible.
Generally a lens implant is a permanent fixture that will last for the patient's lifetime and will not need to be replaced. Although rarely, there may be clouding of the lining of the lens several months or years after it has been installed. This happens as a result of cell growth in the membrane of the eye which surrounds the synthetic lens.
Patients who are experiencing this complication, will undergo a quick and painless procedure known as a "YAG laser capsulotomy". This can be done in the opthalmologist's office and only takes a few seconds. A laser is used to remove the obstructive cell growth, allowing the patient to once again see clearly. Cataracts will never regrow however, since they can only form on a natural lens surface.
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