In the 1950s and 1960s, the standard process to remove a cataract was to make an incision in the eye, remove the lens, and then stitch the incision up. Because of the stitches, it was standard to have the patient wear an eye patch to protect the eye to prevent injury or infection. After the eye was healed, the patient would then need to wear thick glasses to restore some vision since the lens was gone.
No Needle, No Stitch, No Patch Cataract Surgery
With the advances in today’s technology, there is no longer the need to wear thick glasses after surgery to compensate for the loss of the lens. Our surgeons can replace your lens with a synthetic lens that will ensure you retain your vision. Plus, the incision to remove the cataract is so small – about 2 to 3mm – that stitches and patches are not necessary. Your eye will heal on its own.
The full procedure for removing cataracts involves making an incision on the side of the eye, removing the cataract-covered lens, and replacing the lens with a synthetic lens called an Intraocular Lens or IOL.
Your eye will be numbed with an anesthetic and once the incision is made, the lens is gently removed. The surgeon will then insert the flexible IOL into your eye and ensure that it is correctly in place. There are multiple types of IOLs to choose from. Our surgeons will discuss each of them and recommend the best lens for you prior to your surgery.
Once the new lens is in place, the procedure is complete. The entire process takes about 15-20 minutes. Once your eye is completely healed, we will complete the procedure on your other eye – usually two weeks later. You will need to ensure that you have a ride home as you will be wearing a protective cover for the remainder of the day. Complete recovery may take up to a few weeks, but most patients can return to normal activities the next day.