Question 1

how much pain with cataract removal surgery?

Accepted Answer

Minimal: With modern cataract surgery techniques pain either during or after the surgery is generally very mild or even absent. Some patients will experience a mild foreign body sensation or scratching feeling for a day or two, and some have a very mild pressure feeling. Usually, otc medications, typically tylenol or acetaminophen, are all that are required for pain control, and many patients don't use any.

Question 2

85 year old with salzmann's is scheduled for cataract removal surgery.  are there any concerns?  should nodules be removed prior to surgery?  scaring?

Accepted Answer

Salzmann's nodules: hyaline deposits between the epithelium and Bowmans membrane of Cornea causing astigmatism. Superficial keratectomy of astigmatism-inducing Salzmann’s nodules should always be performed prior to cataract surgery. Stable keratometry readings and IOL calculations cannot be reliably obtained until 3 to 6 weeks after surgery. Toric IOLs should be avoided because of the risk of recurrent nodule.

Question 3

is intraocular lens medically necessary for 70yr old's cataract removal? doc is forcing mom to replace her natural lens during cataract surgery.

Accepted Answer

Very Necessary!: Absolutely. If your mom doesn't get an implant after her surgery, she will be blind without wearing either contact lenses or ultra thick glasses with power of greater than +10. Intraocular lens implants are one of the miracles of modern medicine. They are absolutely necessary, not luxuries fit only for a wealthy young person.

Best wishes

Question 4

after cataract removal and laser surgery, i need vitreotomy surgery--is it safe to do all these things?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if indicated: It is safe to do all these operations on the same eye if there is a medical reason to do so. Your doctor, perhaps with the input from a retinal consultant, will explain the reasons the procedures are required, what is hoped to be accomplished, and the associated risks.

Question 5

should i redo my cataract surgery?

Accepted Answer

No: In most cases cataract surgery is irreversible as the natural lens is removed and an intraocular lens is placed.  If you are having problems after surgery, please see your eye surgeon.  Good luck.

Question 6

are there alternatives to cataract surgery?

Accepted Answer

No: The only alternative to cataract surgery is to not remove the cataract. If you choose not to remove the cataract, the vision will slowly deteriorate. In addition, if too much time passes, the risks of removing the cataract may increase. There is a window when the risk to benefit ratio is maximized, your surgeon can tell you when that is, this is the best time to proceed.

Question 7

are there causes for a second cataract surgery?

Accepted Answer

Confusing answer: Usually cataract surgery is done once.  The cataract is removed for ever.

Sometimes an implant needs to be removed.

More frequently, the clear tissue holding the  implant becomes cloudy.  This is often incorrectly described as the cataract "coming back."

in fact, the cloudy tissue can be remedied with a laser...But not actual invasive surgery.

Question 8

which problems has the cataract surgery solved?

Accepted Answer

Cataract surgery: Cataract surgery is a 10-15 minutes outpatient surgical procedure which has helped millions of patients see better.  A cataract is a cloudy lens in the eye, usually associated with aging.  Surgery not only clears the vision but can also significantly reduce glasses dependence for these patients.

Question 9

is cataract surgery done with a laser?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes: Until a couple of years ago all cataract surgery was performed manually. In fact most still are. The femtosecond laser is a relatively new device that makes incisions and breaks the cataract up into pieces.

Question 10

is it painful after cataract. surgery?

Accepted Answer

Usually not: Most of the time patients have very little discomfort after surgery. Sometimes there is occasional sensation like an eyelash in the eye.

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Doctor answers about:

Cataract removal surgery

A member asked:

How much pain with cataract removal surgery?

A member asked:

85 year old with salzmann's is scheduled for cataract removal surgery. are there any concerns? should nodules be removed prior to surgery? scaring?

A member asked:

Is intraocular lens medically necessary for 70yr old's cataract removal? doc is forcing mom to replace her natural lens during cataract surgery.

A member asked:

After cataract removal and laser surgery, i need vitreotomy surgery--is it safe to do all these things?

A member asked:

Should i redo my cataract surgery?

A member asked:

Are there alternatives to cataract surgery?

A member asked:

Are there causes for a second cataract surgery?

A member asked:

Which problems has the cataract surgery solved?

A member asked:

Is cataract surgery done with a laser?

A member asked:

Is it painful after cataract. surgery?

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