| Steps
in Cataract Surgery |
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| Topical Anesthetic
Anesthetic gel is instilled in the eye
pre-operatively. On arrival in the operating room, a pleasant and very effective
relaxing medicine is given intra-veinously. Most patients doze through their
surgery. Just prior to surgery, additional drops of anesthetic are applied.
Additional anesthetic rinse will be given at the time of the initial incision,
assuring patient comfort. The surgery is so delicate that local anesthetic
injection is rarely required. |
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Side Port Incision
A minute, painless initial "side port" incision is made.
Thick, transparent fluid (viscoelastic) is injected to hold open the space
between the cataract and the delicate underside of the clear cornea in front of
it. Anesthetic rinse is also applied at this time, rendering the eye profoundly
numb. |
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Cataract Incision
An extremely thin diamond scalpel makes a
2.85mm incision for the cataract removal. There is no sensation at this
time. |
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Capsulorrhexis
Carefully a circular opening is torn in the fragile clear sac
that holds the cataractous lens. |
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Phacoemulsification
Ultrasound softens the harder portion of the cataract so that is
can be suctioned from the eye. |
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Irrigation /
Aspiration
The last remaining soft cataract material
(cortex) is vacuumed out of the eye, leaving behind the clear, empty lens capsule. |
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Insert IOL
The flexible lens implant has been rolled up for insertion by
the assistant, and is now injected through a soft tube into the vacant lens
capsule. |
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IOL Emerging from injector |
IOL unfolded |
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Final Rinse
The thick viscoelastic fluid previously instilled in the eye is
removed, and any remaining microscopic cataract fragments are rinsed out as
well. Frequently, when the patient is told that the surgery is concluded, he
(or she) is quite surprised and says "I didn't even realize you started!"
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Reflection from eye at end of surgery |
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Cataract Surgery
Videos: If you really want to
see movies of the steps in cataract surgery!
Quicktime
Windows Media Player |
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Cataract Surgery Complications are very infrequent, but real. We want our
patients to understand both the potential risks an benefits of surgery in order
to make the appropriate decision with their doctor whether to proceed.
QuickTime and the QuickTime Logo are trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.,
registered in the U.S. and other countries. The Get QuickTime Badge is a
trademark of Apple Computer Inc., used with permission.
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