Quote:
Originally Posted by nikos
I am planning on cataract surgery, What can I expect. I need information
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This is going to be longer than I thought, but I'll go through it to try to describe the process I experienced.
The surgery isn't a problem. I've had both eyes done (at different times). I was in a comfortable chair in a patient waiting are (sort of pre-surgery). Eye drops were administered and an IV was put in my arm. I waited for a while and gradually noticed my vision made everything look off-color, sort of reddish from the eye drops. The eye drops were to numb the eye. As I understand, it paralyzes certain muscles to keep the eye still during the surgery. The medical assistants frequently checked in on me to see how I was doing.
After a while, I was taken into the room where the surgery was to be done. I was helped into another comfortable chair and put my forehead against some kind of equipment (a lighted magnifier), and a sedative was administered through the IV. The sedation is optional, but I really didn't want to know what was happening, so I requested it. I remember seeing a small dot of light.
As the sedative was taking effect, I remember the doctor frequently asking me, "How are you doing?" I answered "Fine". After a bit of time, I think he asked me to count backward from 10 to 0. My brain seemed to have a hard time focusing on being able to reply. I was so out of it, that I got lost somewhere around 7. I couldn't remember what number came before 7. At that point I just didn't want to say anything more because I just couldn't reply anymore. I guess I was sort of stupified from the sedation and mentally drifted off into hazy sleep-like state. I wasn't actually asleep but rather unaware of anything. However, I do remember seeing some kind of wrinkly with my vision. I assume that was the artificial lens that had been inserted after removing the cataract and was being smoothed out. Apart from that, I couldn't make out any details, just the bright light.
After what seemed like just a few seconds, I could hear the doctor asking me how I was doing. I rapidly became alert, looked around, and asked if he had started yet. He told me it was all done. I was blown away because it was hard to imagine the surgery had even started, much less that it was finished. I was helped out of the chair, and taken back to the patient waiting area (sort of a recovery room). It was like nothing had happened at all.
I did have an eye patch over my eye, and was told to leave it on for until night when I was to begin applying a couple of different eye drops, one to prevent infection and the other to prevent swelling (I think). I was given a check sheet for each day and time to apply the eye drops. I think it was for a total of 2-3 weeks. The check sheet was an excellent reminder to keep track of the applications. I was not to do any driving for at least a day, and I was not to do anything strenuous to avoid strain on the eye. You don't want to do anything that might prevent healing. That said, you can do things. The eye drops are the biggest hassle because you have to commit yourself to applying them on time for a few weeks. But it's worth it.
I had to go back in the next day for a followup exam to make sure everything was all right. It was. Everything was going well.
I have to admit I was pretty nervous about having the surgery done, but I also have to say that the doctor and his entire staff made sure I was as comfortable as possible. They are all very good and very compassionate people. Very professional.
After I was able to remove the eye patch, I no longer had the cataract obscuring my vision. That was a welcome sight. Before the surgery, my vision was like looking through a brownish dirty screen. I could see things, but details were getting worse. After the surgery, it was like my vision was renewed and restored. It seemed amazing to me.
Both of my eyes had cataracts, but my left eye was worse than my right eye. They couldn't do both eyes at the same time because of insurance restrictions. Apparently there are certain standards to measure the degree of cataracts, which insurance companies rely on. Having cataracts removed too soon can result in the cataracts reforming again if any tiny pieces are left behind. It's better to let it get a little firmer so it can be taken out in one piece, or at least larger pieces. It was several months later that I had the cataract from my right eye removed. Same process as the left eye. When I first noticed the vision problem, I thought there was a smudge on my car window, but when I looked closer at the window, there was no smudge. Then I thought maybe there's a problem with my glasses. I had them checked and no problem was found. So it was recommended I have my eyes examined, and that's what determined that I had cataracts.
The doctor who did the surgery said the good part about it is that I'll never have to have that done again. I still have to wear trifocals, but apart from that, colors and shapes are clear again.
It's a good idea not to delay too long with cataracts. The reason, as I understand, is that as it gets worse, the cataracts can get thicker and more difficult to completely remove. Even though I was very nervous about the idea of having sharp pointy things poking around my eyeball, I discovered there was nothing to fear at all in having it done, and the end result of having your sight improved is worthwhile.
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