As we age, many of us will experience cloudy vision caused by cataracts. When it’s time for your cataracts to be removed, it’s important to understand your options and know what to expect.
Your Pre-Operative Appointment
The first step is to set up an appointment with Dr. Rapoza so he can thoroughly evaluate your eyes. At this appointment, Dr. Rapoza will exam your eyes, take measurements, discuss your options and answer your questions.
During this exam, you will also meet with a surgical coordinator who will set up your surgical and post-operative dates and provide you with specific instructions regarding your eye drops and pre and post operative instructions.
The Day of Your Procedure
Cataract surgery, an outpatient procedure, is performed at the Boston Eye Surgery and Laser Center, located in either our Boston or Waltham surgical center.
On the day of your procedure, you will arrive at the Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center, where our registered nurses and an anesthesiologist surgical care team will oversee your care and help ensure your comfort during the procedure.
The surgical procedure itself typically takes about 10 to 20 minutes depending upon the type of intraocular lens (IOL) being implanted, while your entire time from admission to recovery is approximately three hours.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery, an IOL is implanted in the eye, replacing the removed cloudy natural lens. Intravenous sedation relaxes the patient who is kept in an awake state. Anesthetic is provided to numb the eye area.
The surgical procedure entails four steps:
- Dr. Rapoza makes micro-incisions at the edge of cornea.
- Using a process called phaco-emulsification, ultrasound energy gently fragments the hardened section of the cloudy lens into smaller pieces, allowing it to be aspirated out of the eye.
- ORA-Guided Cataract Surgery*. If elected or indicated, Dr. Rapoza utilizes ORA measurements during surgery to aid in the selection and orientation of the IOL. ORA offers certain benefits, particularly for previous LASIK, PRK, RK and Premium IOL patients, including a decreased chance of a lens exchange and helping to achieve optimal results.
- Lastly, the IOL is inserted into the eye in its permanent position. The IOL acts like your own natural lens, requiring no special maintenance or care.
After Cataract Surgery
Every patient heals at a different rate, but most patients achieve good vision on their first post-operative day and are back to their normal activities within several days of the procedure. There is only mild discomfort for most patients following surgery.
You will return for a post-operative visit one day after surgery and then for several follow-up exams after that. These exams may be provided by Dr. Rapoza, a doctor on his team or your primary eye care provider.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, Dr. Rapoza may schedule the second surgery a month or two after the first surgery. This allows proper healing time for each eye.
Most people who opt for a standard mono-focal lens will need glasses for certain tasks, like reading. When your eyes have healed, a final prescription will be provided.
*At Ophthalmic Consultants of Boston, we are one of the few practices in the Boston area to utilize the ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) System during cataract surgery to provide a customized assessment of the eye to determine the appropriate IOL power.If cataracts are starting to affect your daily life, contact us today.
To Schedule a Cataract Evaluation with Dr. Rapoza, Call 800-635-0489 or Click Here With offices in Boston, Waltham and Danvers, MA