Phaco cataract surgery
How are cataracts treated?
People often think that cataracts can be removed with a laser. This is not true. Cataracts cannot be removed with a laser. In addition, there is no medicine one can take to treat a cataract. Cataracts are treated by microscopic surgery using ultrasonic energy with the name of Phaco machine. In cataract micro-surgery, a tiny incision is made in the eye and the cloudy lens is removed through this opening. A clear, plastic lens is then put in the eye to REPLACE the cloudy lens. Following cataract surgery, most people will experience substantial improvement in their vision.
Who performs cataract surgery?
Eye physicians and surgeons (ophthalmologists) are medical doctors, who have undergone specialized training in ORDER to be able perform cataract surgery. Acuity eye centre chief consultant Dr. Mazhry is a highly skilled phaco surgeon.
What can be done about cataracts?
Cataracts do not get better on their own. If you do not do anything about them they will usually get worse. If your cataract has just started growing the eye doctor may tell you that new glasses will help you to see better. If your sight cannot be fixed with new glasses, you may need an operation to remove your cataract.
Your eye doctor will talk to you and help you decide what is best for you.
What is done when a cataract is removed?
The cataract is removed through a small cut in the eye and an artificial lens implant is put into the eye. This is what you see through. Some measurements of your eye will need to be taken before the day of your operation so that the eye doctor can choose the best lens implant for your eye.
Will I be able to see better after the operation?
We hope you will be able to see better. If there are any other eye problems as well as the cataract, you may not see as well as somebody who has no other eye problems in their eye.
Are there any problems with the operation?
There can be problems with a cataract operation as with all operations. Serious or big problems do not happen very often.
What happens next?
Pre operation assessment
Our assistant will talk to you about the cataract operation and ask you about your health. Please bring your glasses with you and your most recent eye test from the optician. It is a good idea to go with a supporter who knows you well. You and your supporter can ask questions.
Can I eat before the operation?
You may have a light breakfast or lunch before the operation. If you have been told you are having an anesthetic to put you to sleep you must not eat or drink anything for 6 hours prior to the operation.
What should I bring on the operation day?
Please wear a front fastening top or t-shirt top.
Your tablets and eye drops.
Your glasses.
How long will I be in hospital for?
You will be in hospital for up to 2-4 hours only.
Do I have eye drops before the operation?
The nurse will put some drops into your eye to make the pupil (black part) of your eye bigger.
What happens during my operation?
The operation will take place in an operating theatre. Your blood pressure will be checked and a tube may be put into your arm or hand. You may have eye drops to numb the eye. The operation takes about 15-30 minutes.
What happens after the operation?
You will be helped out of operation theater. You will rest in our recovery room. You may ask for something to drink or eat as needed. Your eye may have a pad or a plastic shield over it.
What happens when I go home?
You and your supporters need to follow the advice given by the eye doctor and the nurse.
You will need to have plans in place for the eye drops to be put into your eye. It is important that you have these eye drops. They will need to be put in four or more times a day.
When do I use the eye drops?
Space the eye drops out. You may find it easier to put them in at meal times to remind you.
If you have more than one bottle of eye drops leave a few minutes between them.
The pad and plastic shield can be taken off the next day. You will be given an outpatient
appointment for next day following your operation.
Is it necessary to bathe the eye?
The eye can be bathed if needed using boiled water that has cooled. Wipe the eye from the inner to the outer corner using a cotton wool pad. After the eye pad has been removed, you can take a bath, with the closed eyes when washing head and face.
How long do I use the eye drops for?
This can be different for each patient. The nurse or doctor will tell you when to stop.
What should I look out for?
– Pain which gets worse and is not helped by the pain relieving tablets.
– Eye sight which is getting worse rather than better.
– Sickness/feeling of sickness.
– More redness and or blurring of the eye sight after the first day.
If any of the above occurs please contact us.
Dos and Don’ts for a cataract IOL patient
You can watch the television and look at a book.
You can wash your hair gently backwards.
You can wear your glasses in the day and the plastic shield at night.
You may need to rest for a few days.
However you should not do sport or swimming until the eye doctor tells you it is ok to do so.
It is important that you do not Rub or touch the eye.
Bend over or lift heavy things.
