Have questions?
At the Binetter Eye Centre our aim is to help you make an informed decision about laser vision correction surgery and your eyes. Our objective is to ensure that you know as much about the procedure as possible.
Our surgeons are very careful in deciding which potential patients are good candidates for laser vision correction and they will discuss with you your expectations from the procedure.
Our surgeons and staff have changed the lives of thousands of patients since introducing the cataract surgery.
You may be a perfect candidate for the cataract surgery. However, you may be told as with more than 1/3 of our potential patients that your eyes are not suitable.
CATARACT SURGERY QUESTIONS
Do I need to stop taking blood thinners before cataract surgery?
No. Unless your prescribing physician advises you otherwise.
Do my cataracts need to ripen before I have surgery?
No. This idea is from a previous era of large incision, manual, cataract surgery. This older procedure requiring significant stitching to close the eye, resulting in a slow visual recovery.
Modern small incision cataract surgery works best when the cataract is not ripe or mature.
There is less trauma to the surrounding intraocular structures and a faster visual recovery.
Cataract surgery should be considered when the cataracts cause sufficient loss of functional vision to interfere with your daily activities.
Based on your symptoms, age, visual needs and the stage of your cataracts you and your cataract surgeon will decide together when it is most appropriate for you to have surgery.
Could my cataract return after the surgery?
No. Once the cataract has been completely removed it cannot return.
However, the original lens capsule which is not removed and is required to support the new artificial intraocular lens can become slightly opaque over time, this can sometimes mimic the symptoms of a cataract returning.
This clouding of the lens capsule is easily treated with an outpatient procedure known as a YAG Laser Capsulotomy.
The laser in a few minutes removes the cloudy part of the capsule restoring clear vision
Will my glasses prescription change after cataract surgery?
Yes. You almost always need a new prescription, New glasses will be prescribed by your Optometrist about a month after you have Cataract Surgery.In the meantime you may be able to use over the counter readers for help with reading if your old glasses are not suitable.
What do I do with my glasses after my first eye's operation and while waiting for the second?
You can either take out the spectacle lens from the side which had the surgery, keep wearing your glasses as they are or simply not wear them at all; whichever feels most comfortable for you.
What happens during cataract surgery?
During surgery you will be lying down on a bed.
Most patients report little or no discomfort at all during or after surgery due to the combination of anaesthetic eye drops and intravenous sedation.
You may see a bright light or coloured lights and feel water running across your eye.
Immediately after your surgery you will sit in a recliner until the nurse has done a post operative check.
You will then walk out of recovery and be provided with something to drink and eat and then be able to go home.
I have a gritty feeling in my eye after cataract surgery, should I be worried?
No. This is quite common after the surgery and is due to a combination of factors.
Healing of the incision site, irritation from the antiseptic and drops used during surgery and dry eye after the procedure.
Often the use of artificial tears will help.
I cant see clearly after the 1st day, however my friend did, Is this normal?
Yes. Every eye is different in both the stage of the cataract and the health of the inside of the eye.Both the surgery and recovery will be individual.
Some eyes will have more swelling after surgery, which may last days or weeks and this will delay visual recovery.
Are there any restrictions after cataract surgery?
Only two.
- Don’t rub your eye for the first week after surgery.
- Don’t submerge your head in swimming pools or hot tubs for the first week after surgery
You may shower normally and resume bending and lifting the next day.
If you have any more questions,
Get in touch with our friendly team today.
