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Before Undergoing Cataract Surgery San Antonio Patients Should Know What To Expect

By Coleen Torres


Patients who suffer from cataracts have difficulty seeing clearly since the normally clear lens of the eye becomes cloudy, preventing light from entering properly. If not treated, the vision will worsen to the point of blindness. Fortunately this condition can be easily corrected with a straightforward surgical procedure. If they wish to learn more about cataract surgery San Antonio TX patients should visit an opthalmologist.

This procedure is termed a "phacoemulsification" and is usually done with a local anesthetic. A surgical laser is used to make a small incision in the side of the cornea in order that an ultrasound device can be inserted which will emit vibrations that cause the diseased lens to disintegrate into tiny particles which are then suctioned out of the site.

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 procedure, patients can anticipate some minor discomfort in the eye, and it may also water more readily and be sensitive to sunlight. These complaints are easily remedied with analgesics, and sunglasses to provide protection from the sun when outdoors. The doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, and otherwise just taking it easy for a day after the surgery and not over-exerting oneself is all that's needed for recovery.

The patient should note an almost immediate improvement in his or her vision, as early as the day after surgery. A new glasses prescription will be provided to the patient, and after a month, the full extent of the improvement should be realized. Following the doctor's orders where the use of any prescribed medications is concerned, is essential to obtaining optimal results.

Lens implants are designed to be permanent and should remain in place for the patient's lifetime. There is really no reason why they would need to be replaced. However, sometimes a patient may experience cell growth in the eye's membrane around the lens, which can cloud its lining. If this is going to happen, it will normally occur within the first year and a half following treatment.

A simple, painless, in-office procedure called "YAG laser capsulotomy" is used to correct this issue if it occurs. This is carried out with a special laser device that removes the excess cell growth which is clouding the lens, which restores the patient's vision. It only takes a few seconds to do this procedure. A cataract cannot grow back once an intra-ocular lens is implanted however.




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