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.
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".
The original lens is replaced with an artificial one called an "intraocular lens" which is intended to last indefinitely and does not require any specific measures to maintain it. Intraocular lenses are made out of transparent plastic, acrylic, or silicone materials.
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.
It is normal to experience a bit of discomfort afterwards, and the eye may water easily and be more sensitive to the sun. Pain is usually mild and won't last long, easily controlled with over-the-counter analgesics, and wearing sunglasses will be helpful when outside in the sun. Just a day of rest with no strenuous activity is really all that's needed to recover, and eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection.
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".
The original lens is replaced with an artificial one called an "intraocular lens" which is intended to last indefinitely and does not require any specific measures to maintain it. Intraocular lenses are made out of transparent plastic, acrylic, or silicone materials.
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.
It is normal to experience a bit of discomfort afterwards, and the eye may water easily and be more sensitive to the sun. Pain is usually mild and won't last long, easily controlled with over-the-counter analgesics, and wearing sunglasses will be helpful when outside in the sun. Just a day of rest with no strenuous activity is really all that's needed to recover, and eye drops will be prescribed to help prevent infection.
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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