(light music)
- I'm Dr. Adam Braganza,
and today we're going to learn all about cataracts.
In the next few minutes we'll show you what cataracts are
and how they can be treated with surgery.
We'll tell you about what you can expect before,
and after surgery,
some of the types of lenses that can be implanted,
and about possible risks associated with the surgery.
- [Narrator] In the healthy eye,
light rays enter through the clear cornea,
pupil, and lens.
The light is focused directly onto the retina,
the light sensitive tissue lining the back of the eye.
The retina converts light into electrical signals
which travel through the optic nerve to the brain,
where they are recognized as images.
Cataracts occurs when the lens inside the eye
becomes cloudy.
The cataract blocks light entering the eye
and causes blurry vision.
Cataracts usually develop slowly,
over a period of years as we get older.
When cataracts interfere with your daily activities
such as reading, watching television, or driving,
surgery can usually improve your vision.
Patients with cataracts
who do not have problems with their vision
can safely wait to have surgery.
An exam by an optometrist may show
whether your vision can be improved with glasses
or contact lenses.
The goal of cataract surgery is to help you see better
when glasses no longer help.
- Now that you know how cataracts can affect your vision,
let's cover what is necessary to prepare for surgery.
- [Narrator] You'll next have an appointment
with an ophthalmic technician.
The technician will measure your eyes
to determine the power of the lens to be implanted
after the cataract is removed.
This is called biometry.
This is so an accurate measurement can be taken.
You'll also meet with a cataract surgeon
for an evaluation and preop.
At this visit, your eyes will be dilated for the exam,
so you may want to bring a driver.
This appointment may be the same date,
or a separate date as your biometry appointment.
Your surgeon will help you decide if surgery is needed,
and whether it's best to have surgery on one or both eyes.
At this visit, you'll have a chance
to discuss your lens options with your surgeon
and to ask any questions about the procedure.
Your doctor will send
an electronic prescription for eye drops,
which you can pickup at any Kaiser Permanente pharmacy.
Carefully follow all directions for the eyedrops.
After the decision is made to proceed
with cataract surgery,
a surgery scheduler will contact you to book the surgery.
You'll receive some information in the mail.
If you have KP.org you can also view this letter online.
This will include the date of surgery
and one to two post-op appointments.
The post-op visit is one day after surgery.
Occasionally your surgeon may recommend
a second post-op visit.
A final visit with an optometrist
is usually about one month afterwards.
It's a good idea to plan on staying in town
for the first week after surgery.
If you have any conflicts with these dates
please call our office right away.
You won't need to see your regular medical doctor
or take additional lab tests
unless you've experienced a recent change in your health.
If this is the case, please notify our office.
You'll know the date of your surgery
from the mailed information,
but the exact time of your surgery won't be known
until a few days before.
You'll get a phone call advising you
when to arrive at the surgery center.
Don't worry if you're not home,
we'll leave the time to report to the surgery center
on your voicemail.
You may eat up to eight hours
before your surgery appointment.
You may have clear liquids up to two hours
before your surgery appointment.
After this, please don't take anything by mouth
except necessary medications,
like blood pressure and heart medicines.
Take them with a small sip of water.
You'll need a responsible adult
to drive you back home from the surgery center.
Wear comfortable clothes, no facial makeup,
and leave any jewelry at home.
The actual operation only takes about 10 to 20 minutes,
but be prepared for a two to three hour total visit,
as there are many steps involved
in preparing for your surgery.
You can receive IV medication to help you relax
without putting you fully asleep.
You'll also receive some drops,
which will numb the eye and dilate your pupil.
During the operation,
we'll ask you to lay quietly and star into a light.
Your surgeon will make a small incision in your cornea,
which will allow them to enter the eye
and access the cataract.
Ultrasound is then used to liquefy the cataract
and then vacuum it out.
A foldable lens implant is then placed
into a clear bag called the lens capsule,
where it unfolds and remains permanently.
Sometimes your surgeon will place a shield
over your eye to protect it overnight.
After surgery, you'll receive instructions
on the care of your eye.
Please read these carefully.
Most patients are able to resume their usual activity
including driving, within a few days.
Your vision should improve during the first week,
but some patients may take a little longer to heal.
Everyone's a bit different.
It's normal for your eye to feel a little scratchy
for awhile after your surgery.
But you should call 503-813-2000 if you notice pain in your eye,
redness or worsening vision,
especially during the first week or two.
It could be a sign of serious infection.
- While cataract surgery is successful
for the vast majority of patients,
it is not risk free.
Changes in your vision can occur days, weeks,
months, or even years later.
- [Narrator] Even though your doctor
uses your biometry measurements to choose an implant power
to reduce your need for glasses after surgery,
there is a chance that you will need
a small prescription for glasses to get the sharpest vision.
Occasionally a film develops on the lens capsule
holding the lens implant.
You'll notice it when your vision gets a little blurry,
months or years after surgery.
A simple, in-office laser procedure,
called a YAG, can correct this.
Another risk of surgery occurs
when the lens capsule holding the lens
tears during surgery.
In this case, your surgeon may need to
implant a different lens than the one planned,
so that it will safely remain in position.
Your eye may also heal a little more slowly.
It most cases, however,
the final visual result is excellent.
- You may also choose not to have surgery.
Cataracts develop slowly,
and waiting to have surgery later on,
when your vision is more severely affected
will not usually decrease your chances
of a successful surgery.
The good news is that in most cases
cataract surgery offers a fast, painless way,
to improve your quality of life.