Cataract Specialist in Yukon, Bethany and Mustang
Eye cataracts are common among older adults. Eye cataract symptoms include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, double vision, poor night vision and fading colors. In healthy eyes, the lenses are clear. Eye cataracts turn the lenses cloudy. Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens that is fogging your vision. An ophthalmologist or cataract specialist will recommend cataract removal when they prevent you from doing things you want or need to do in life.
Cataract Removal By A Skilled Eye Surgeon
During cataract surgery, cataract specialist Dr. Hester will remove your clouded natural lenses and replace them with clear artificial intraocular lenses. These lenses are called intraocular lenses or IOLs. Ophthalmologists use a variety of different IOLs in cataract surgery to address different conditions, including:
- artificial intraocular lenses
- astigmatism correcting lenses
- monofocal lenses
- premium lenses and premium intraocular lenses (IOLs)
- Restor® multifocal lens implant
Put Your Trust In A Board-Certified Ophthalmologist
If you have cataract symptoms, talk to eye surgery and cataract specialist, Ralph Hester, MD, about eye cataract treatment and your cataract removal and intraocular lens replacement options. He’ll be happy to give you details about lens implant surgery and IOLs, including artificial intraocular lenses, monofocal lenses, astigmatism correcting lenses and premium lenses, including the Restor multifocal lens implant.
What To Expect With Cataract Surgery
Because eye cataracts are so common, cataract eye surgery is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States. It’s also one of the safest. Your cataract specialist does one eye at a time and is usually done when you’re awake. Your eye surgeon will numb the eye with anesthesia. Your surgical team often includes an anesthesia doctor or nurse to give you medication to promote relaxation. During the eye cataract procedure, your eye surgeon removes the cloudy lens and replaces it with an intraocular lens during lens implant surgery. IOLs usually last a lifetime, and nearly 95 percent of patients report improved vision after cataract eye surgery.
Your eye surgery begins when your ophthalmologist places eye drops in your eye to dilate your pupil. You may receive a sedative to help you relax before surgery. The sedative may allow you to remain awake, but groggy, during surgery. Your ophthalmologist removes the clouded lens and then performs lens implant surgery to implant a clear artificial lens. Some cases, however, a cataract may be removed without implanting an artificial lens.
Surgical Techniques For Removing Cataracts
Your cataract specialist uses an ultrasound probe to break up the lens for removal. During a procedure called phacoemulsification (fak-o-e-mul-sih-fih-KAY-shun), your eye surgeon makes a tiny incision in the front of your eye (the cornea) and inserts a thin probe into the lens where the eye cataract has formed.
Your ophthalmology specialist then uses the probe’s ultrasound waves to break up the cataract and remove its fragments. The back of your lens then serves as a base where the artificial lens can rest. Your eye surgeon may or may not use stitches to close the tiny incision in your cornea and complete the cataract surgery before preparing for the lens implant surgery.
During a laser-assisted cataract surgery, the cataract specialist uses a medical laser to make the incisions and soften the cataract for removal. The laser facilitates removing the lens in one piece. Some ophthalmologists perform a less frequently used procedure called extracapsular cataract extraction. This technique requires a larger incision than phacoemulsification. Your eye surgeon removes the front capsule and the cloudy portion of your lens forming the cataract through this larger incision. This procedure only applies to certain eye complications and requires stitches. After the cataract is removed via phacoemulsification or extracapsular extraction, your cataract specialist implants an artificial lens into the now-empty lens capsule, using lens implant surgery.
What To Expect After Cataract Surgery
Expect your vision to begin improving within a few days after cataract surgery. It may be blurry at first as your eye heals and adjusts to the new lens. Colors may seem brighter too, thanks to your new, clear lens.
Your eye surgeon will want to monitor your healing during follow-up visits after your cataract surgery. You may feel some itching and mild discomfort for a couple of days, so be careful to avoid rubbing or pushing against your eye. You may have to wear an eye patch or protective shield on the day of your surgery, and for a few days afterward. You may receive a protective shield to wear while you sleep during recovery.
Your ophthalmologist may prescribe eye drops or oral medication to control your eye pressure, prevent infection and ease inflammation. Most of your discomfort should disappear within a few days. Complete healing usually takes about eight weeks.
Contact your ophthalmologist immediately if you experience:
- Vision loss
- Pain not relieved by over-the-counter pain medications
- Increasing eye redness, irritation
- Light flashes or multiple new
Eyeglasses may be necessary at least some of the time after cataract surgery. Your cataract specialist will tell you when your eyes have healed sufficiently for a final eyeglasses prescription. This is usually one-to-three months after surgery. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your second surgery will likely occur after your first eye has healed so as not to compromise your vision
Learn more about eye cataract care you can trust from a compassionate eye surgeon. Call ophthalmologist and cataract specialist Ralph Hester, MD, Ophthalmology at 405.271.9500. For your convenience, use our Request an Appointment form. Our cataract eye surgery patients come to us from El Reno, Mustang, Norman, Yukon, Piedmont, Bethany and Edmond.
