What to Expect Before, During & After Cataract Surgery

Find out what to expect before, during and after cataract surgery from the eye care professionals at Elmquist Eye Group. We are pleased to offer the revolutionary bladeless laser-assisted cataract procedure and the latest advancements in intraocular lens technology.

What to Expect Before, During & After Cataract SurgeryResidents of Southwest Florida have been coming to Elmquist Eye Group for more than 25 years for the highest quality eye care, including cataract evaluations and surgery, and other eye conditions that affect people of all ages.

Yasaira Rodriguez, MD is an experienced eye surgeon specializing in refractive cataract surgery, eyelid surgery and in-office procedures.

Before Cataract Surgery

The first evidence of cataracts is usually discovered during a cataract evaluation at Elmquist Eye Group. Your eye doctor will dilate your pupils to thoroughly examine your eyes. He or she will also do a few extra tests, such as visual acuity and glare testing, to diagnose a cataract and determine its severity.

If you have a cataract, it will be treated by surgically removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens or IOL. The IOL is placed permanently inside the eye. It cannot fall out, does not require cleaning, and you will not even notice that it’s there.

Today, there are several options when it comes to intraocular lenses. Before surgery is scheduled, your eye doctor will help you decide which lenses may be right for you.

During Cataract Surgery

Elmquist Eye Group offers refractive laser-assisted cataract surgery, a procedure that is designed to make the treatment more precise, safer and more accurate.  It provides the same excellent outcome as traditional cataract surgery but uses a different method.

Dr. Rodriguez uses special computer software to create a surgical plan with a 3-D map of your unique eye. The plan informs her of the location, depth, and length of the cataract. Using the plan and map, the femtosecond laser creates the incisions and assists in the cataract removal with a higher degree of precision than in traditional cataract surgery.

The laser also softens and fragments the cataract for removal, but the laser’s light energy is gentler and causes minimal damage to surrounding tissue. Dr. Rodriguez removes the old lens and inserts the new artificial intraocular lens (IOL) you have selected.

After Cataract Surgery

After cataract surgery, you can expect your vision to be a little blurry at first and may feel some mild discomfort for a few days, but this should improve within a few days. Your eye doctor will monitor your healing for about a month after surgery and complete healing often occurs within eight weeks.

If you think you may have a cataract and want to know more about what to expect before, during and after surgery, get in touch with Elmquist Eye Group at (239) 936-2020. We will examine your eyes and discuss how the latest cataract treatments and lens technologies can help restore your clear vision.