The standard position for patients having cataract surgery is the supine position: the patients lie flat on their backs to face the operating microscope overhead. However, a small proportion of patients are unable to lie flat because of medical problems such as spinal deformity or orthopnea.
Patients who cannot lie flat for cataract surgery should be warned that their surgery may have a higher risk of surgical complications.
The patient sits upright or semi-recumbent, and the surgeon sits or stands, facing the patient. The microscope is rotated forward, and surgery is done via an incision in the lower half of the cornea, using topical intracameral anesthesia.
Phacoemulsification is routinely performed with the patient lying supine with the head flat. Anatomical deformities such as kyphosis make it difficult to position the patient in the usual position. Some techniques have been reported for cataract surgery in patients with such anatomical problems.
Tape the patient's head to the operating room table before starting the surgery. I use paper tape to gently hold the patient's head in place during the procedure. Place it over the forehead and use a tape that is gentle and will not damage delicate skin.
Here are some things that you may want to avoid before and after cataract surgery to ensure that you heal properly. Avoiding eating and drinking before your surgery. Don't wear makeup to the surgery appointment, and avoid wearing makeup until your ophthalmologist allows it so that you can better prevent infection.
The operation is carried out with you lying as flat as possible; we will make you as comfortable as we are able. Various drapes will be placed over your face and shoulders to keep the operation area clean. You can still breathe normally. You will need to keep still and not talk during the surgery.
Cataract surgery patients often worry about what may happen if they blink during the procedure. Although this is an understandable concern, there is no need to worry. You will be given an oral medication prior to the procedure to help you relax during your surgery.
Plan on taking one to three days off of work to be sure you have enough time to rest, but it is normal to resume most normal activities within a couple of days. Simple diversions like reading, watching TV, writing, and walking are okay to resume as soon as you feel up for it after your eye surgery.
How long does cataract surgery take? Cataract surgery takes 10 to 20 minutes to complete, depending on the severity of the condition. You should also plan to spend up to 30 minutes following the surgery to recover from the effects of the sedative.
Try not to be bend over for at least 2 weeks following cataract surgery. Whilst there are some tasks that require bending, such as putting on shoes or pants, try to avoid bending your back. In addition, try not to sneeze or vomit following cataract surgery, and avoid excessive coughing.
Limit Strenuous Activity
“High eye pressure can interfere with the incision before it fully heals,” says Eghrari. “Positions that put your head below your waist, such as bending over, can also increase eye pressure and should be avoided initially after surgery.”
Rubbing your eye or even water splashing in your eye can aggravate the chances of infection. You may also want to avoid sleeping on the side of the operated eye for the first 24 hours.
You can read or watch TV right away, but things may look blurry. Most people are able to return to work or their normal routine in 1 to 3 days. After your eye heals, you may still need to wear glasses, especially for reading.
While home, you may be allowed to remove your eye shield, but you should wear it when sleeping for at least a week to prevent eye injury. Full recovery from cataract surgery should be complete in about a month, although it can take up to three months for your eye to be completely healed.
Cataract surgery is not painful. While patients are awake during surgery, there is little or no discomfort involved. A mild sedative may be administered before the surgery, which calms the nerves, and eye drops are used to numb the eye.
The requirement for fasting before surgery was recommended by the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), which published updated guidelines in 2011 for patients undergoing general anesthesia to reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia.
Endophthalmitis is a serious complication of cataract surgery involving microorganisms that gain entry into the eye. Risk factors for the development of endophthalmitis include rupture of the posterior capsule or the need for anterior vitrectomy during the procedure, age greater than 85 years, and male sex.
On the day after you have cataract surgery, your vision may be blurry or uneven. This is normal as your vision needs time to adjust and heal. Most cataract surgeons will ask you to come in for your first follow-up appointment the day after cataract surgery. It's extremely important that you attend this appointment.
Keep Your Eyes Protected
But, don't discard the shield as it must be worn while sleeping for 4-5 days post-surgery. Be aware that you may experience distorted vision for a few minutes after the shield is removed. The new, artificial lens has to adapt to the light around you and may take a few hours to dissipate.
Additionally, try not to do any housework or cooking after cataract surgery for the first two weeks. If you cannot avoid this, wear your eye shield to reduce the risk of irritation and infection.
It often can be used to reduce the need for glasses as well. Cataract Surgery is an important decision. The surgery takes a few minutes but the preparation behind the scenes is critical. It's typically done on an outpatient basis, meaning that the patient immediately returns home following the procedure.
Patients experienced more pain in the surgery of the second eye than that of the first eye, which probably related to lower anxiety before the second surgery. It suggests that we should consider preoperative intervention to reduce the perceived pain during second eye cataract surgery.