Understand what happens during cataract surgery, one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the world.
Cataracts are a normal part of aging, and cataract surgery is a relatively quick procedure generally conducted in an outpatient setting, meaning you do not need to spend the night in hospital.
Cataract Surgery: Step-by-Step
The most common cataract surgery is microincision phacoemulsification cataract extraction, which is a minimally invasive and involves removing the cloudy crystalline lens and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Understand what happens in cataract surgery, step-by-step:
- • Step 1: Your eye area will be numbed with local anaesthetic.
- • Step 2: Your surgeon will make a tiny incision (~2mm) in the cornea and lens capsule.
- • Step 3: The cloudy lens is then broken up and removed using the phacoemulsification procedure (ultrasound vibrations and suction).
- • Step 4: Your new intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted into the capsular bag where your natural lens used to be.
- • Step 5: The incision is so small that it heals on its own and does not require any stitches.
What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
You should not expect to see well immediately after cataract surgery and although most patients see better the following day after cataract surgery, your vision is likely to be blurry for at least the first several days.
It is important to remember that every patient’s healing response will be as unique as their eyes, and your recovery time may be shorter or longer than others.
Generally, any discomfort or soreness (dry, grittiness, or irritation) should fade over the following days, and your vision will continue to improve and stabilise over the 4-6 weeks following surgery.
Your eye may be bloodshot over the sclera (white part of your eye) immediately after your operation and you should not be concerned as this is normal and will also fade over time.
How soon after Cataract Surgery can I drive?
Many patients want to know when they can drive again after cataract surgery – it is important that you wait until your Ophthalmologist gives you the all-clear.
Your surgeon will have set out a schedule of post-op appointments to monitor your vision, the first of which will generally be the day after your surgery.
Cataract Surgery on the Gold Coast
Our eye surgeons are available at three convenient clinic locations, equipped for the diagnosis, treatment and management of all eye-related conditions. Cataract surgery is performed by our Ophthalmologists at Short Street Day Surgery on the Gold Coast.