Routine Cataract Surgery - Narrated

by Associates in Eyecare | 12 years ago

This video shows a complete and unedited cataract surgery in a routine patient. The case is done with topical anesthesia meaning that the patient receives numbing drops to the surface of the eye (tetracaine in this case) at the start of the procedure and also receives lidocaine into the front section of the eye at the beginning of the procedure. This is a newer type of anesthesia whereas in the past we would use a long needle to inject a numbing medication behind the eye. Depending on the health of the patient, the anesthesia team usual administers some IV sedation as well. The procedure takes about 7-8 minutes in a normal eye and the patient is able to go home soon afterwards. In this particular case we implanted an astigmatism correcting lens called a toric lens. If astigmatism isn't corrected surgically, the patient will have to wear glasses to drive or watch TV, but with the toric lens they will likely only need over the counter reading glasses. After the surgery the patient will wear a protective shield and use eye drops. There are no stitches or patches.