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| Before surgery
After you complete your examination, and once you and Dr. Johnstone have decided you will have your cataract removed, all of the surgery arrangements will be made that same day. You will be given a surgical packet that will have all of the information you will need for your upcoming surgery. You will also have your eye measured to determine the exact power of the intraocular lens (IOL) you will need for your eye.
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| Surgery is done on an outpatient basis either at Seattle Surgery Center or Swedish Medical Center. Upon arrival for surgery, you will be given eye drops and medications to help you relax.
A local or topical anesthetic will make the operation painless. During the procedure, you may see light or movement, but you will not see the surgery while it is happening, and you will not have to worry about keeping your eye open or closed.
The skin around your eye will be cleaned thoroughly, and sterile coverings will be placed around your head.
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| Our doctors use the most modern techniques, so no shots are needed for the anesthetic, and no stitches are used during the procedure. The cataract is removed through a small, tunnel-like corneal incision with a tiny, ultrasonic probe.
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| This technique is called phacoemulsifcation. The natural outward pressure of the eye allows the incision to self-seal. The chances of developing astigmatism (distorted vision) are greatly reduced, because no sutures are used that can alter the shape of the cornea. |
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A tiny, foldable implant, specially calculated for your eye is inserted through the tiny incision, then unfolded exactly in position in your eye. The picture to the left shows an actual size lens, as compared to a dime. |
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| Below are the eight basic steps of the modern cataract procedure. |
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| After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. Your first post-operative exam can be the same day three hours after your surgery, or the following day. After the first post-operative appointment, we will see you for a one week, and also a three to four week follow-up. |
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| Following surgery
It is important that you follow all instructions given by the doctors and staff. If you have any questions, or lose your drops or instructions, please contact us immediately.
You will need to
* Use the eye drops as prescribed
* Be careful not to rub or press on your eye
* Use over-the-counter pain medication as necessary
* Avoid very strenuous activities the first 24 hours
* Continue normal daily activities and moderate excercise
* Ask your doctor when you can begin driving.
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