Cataract Surgery Process |
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Cataract Surgery Appointments
Lens Evaluation: If a patient is diagnosed with a cataract by one of our Optometrists, or if they are referred to Morris Eye Group specifically for cataract surgery, the patient will be scheduled for a Lens Evaluation with one of our Ophthalmologists. At this appointment, a technician will perform specific tests to determine the health of the patient’s retina, cornea and lens so the doctor can diagnose diseases such as cataracts and determine if cataract surgery is needed. |
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The appointment will take about two hours and dilating eye drops will be used. Dilation lasts 4-6 hours and distorts near vision. The doctor examines the patient and goes over all vision correcting options. If the patient is deemed a candidate for cataract removal, or another procedure, the patient will be explained lens options, as well as insurance coverage for the surgery. Surgical appointments can be made at this time if the patient is ready to schedule.
Pre-Operative Appointment: At Morris Eye Group we do a very thorough exam with the patient to rule out any possible reasons a patient would not qualify for a cataract surgery or a specific lens option. Between the Lens Evaluation and the Pre-Operative Appointment, the information and tests we perform include: Health History, Automated refraction, full refraction Ascan, Manual K’s, Topography, OCT, ONA, Pachymetry, History and Physical, Contact lens trial fitting to assess refractive error if needed, testing to assess refractive error, Routine eye care, wellness care, or preventative care (to cope with refractive error). The patient is given pre and post operative instructions, and prescriptions for eye drops.
Procedure Day: Cataract surgery is performed at one of three Ambulatory Centers our ophthalmologists are affiliated with: North Coast Surgery Center (Oceanside), Center For Surgery of Encinitas, or Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center. On the procedure day, the patient will need a driver and can expect to be at the facility for an approximately 3 hours. The patient will be taken back to the pre-operative area by a nurse. They will prepare the patient for surgery by cleaning the eye area, using various eye drops (including numbing eye drops), and start an I.V. for anesthesia. The patient will NOT be under general anesthesia, and will be awake; however, the patient will be very comfortable. The procedure itself takes about fifteen minutes. After the procedure, the patient will wait in recovery until a nurse has discharged them. Patients go home and relax or take a nap. Most patients that have cataract removal see well within 24 hours of the procedure, though, healing time between patients can vary.
Post-Operative Care: The first post-operative appointment will be the day after the cataract removal procedure. The patient can expect to have other post-operative appointments in the following weeks after the procedure is complete. There is a series of eye drops that the patient is asked to abide by (which our surgical technician goes over with the patient at the Pre-Operative appointment).
Further Appointments: Before any further treatments, such as an LRI or PRK for astigmatism, it is important for the eye to be completely healed. Sometimes healing completely can take up to a few months before the doctor will recommend going forward with the LRI or PRK procedure. However, both the LRI and PRK laser treatments are performed in our very own state-of-the-art Laser Center located in our Encinitas Office.
Pre-Operative Appointment: At Morris Eye Group we do a very thorough exam with the patient to rule out any possible reasons a patient would not qualify for a cataract surgery or a specific lens option. Between the Lens Evaluation and the Pre-Operative Appointment, the information and tests we perform include: Health History, Automated refraction, full refraction Ascan, Manual K’s, Topography, OCT, ONA, Pachymetry, History and Physical, Contact lens trial fitting to assess refractive error if needed, testing to assess refractive error, Routine eye care, wellness care, or preventative care (to cope with refractive error). The patient is given pre and post operative instructions, and prescriptions for eye drops.
Procedure Day: Cataract surgery is performed at one of three Ambulatory Centers our ophthalmologists are affiliated with: North Coast Surgery Center (Oceanside), Center For Surgery of Encinitas, or Scripps Encinitas Surgery Center. On the procedure day, the patient will need a driver and can expect to be at the facility for an approximately 3 hours. The patient will be taken back to the pre-operative area by a nurse. They will prepare the patient for surgery by cleaning the eye area, using various eye drops (including numbing eye drops), and start an I.V. for anesthesia. The patient will NOT be under general anesthesia, and will be awake; however, the patient will be very comfortable. The procedure itself takes about fifteen minutes. After the procedure, the patient will wait in recovery until a nurse has discharged them. Patients go home and relax or take a nap. Most patients that have cataract removal see well within 24 hours of the procedure, though, healing time between patients can vary.
Post-Operative Care: The first post-operative appointment will be the day after the cataract removal procedure. The patient can expect to have other post-operative appointments in the following weeks after the procedure is complete. There is a series of eye drops that the patient is asked to abide by (which our surgical technician goes over with the patient at the Pre-Operative appointment).
Further Appointments: Before any further treatments, such as an LRI or PRK for astigmatism, it is important for the eye to be completely healed. Sometimes healing completely can take up to a few months before the doctor will recommend going forward with the LRI or PRK procedure. However, both the LRI and PRK laser treatments are performed in our very own state-of-the-art Laser Center located in our Encinitas Office.
