Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient under local anesthesia. Surgery usually takes less than one hour. Most cataract surgeries involve removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one.

There are 2 primary types of cataract removal surgery:

• Phacoemulsification (small incision cataract surgery)—A tiny probe is inserted into the eye. The probe emits ultrasound waves that break up the cloudy lens into small fragments, and then suction removes these fragments. This is the most common form of cataract removal surgery. This procedure usually does not require stitches.
• Extracapsular surgery—An incision is made in the eye and the hard center of the lens is removed. The remainder of the lens may be removed by suction. Or, the back capsule of your lens may be left in place to serve as a place for the artificial lens to rest. This surgery requires stitches. This method is rarely performed in developed countries due to possible complications.

In both types of surgery, local anesthesia is used so that you do not feel any pain. This can either be in the form of an injection given below the eye or liquid medication into the eye during the surgery. You will also likely be given a sedative to make you more comfortable.

In most cases, the removed lens is replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear or yellow-tinted artificial lens. It requires no special care and remains permanently in the eye. In some cases, an IOL cannot be used due to surgical complications, unusual anatomy, or other eye diseases. In these rare cases, either a contact lens or eyeglasses that provide powerful magnification are used after the surgery to correct the vision.