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Cataract Surgery Toronto
What to Expect with Your Cataract Surgery
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you may be a good candidate for cataract surgery. However, certain health conditions may interfere with your post-operative healing, and require additional care. Consult with one of our doctors for a pre-operative assessment, during which your eligibility for cataract surgery at our Toronto, Ontario practice will be determined.
Before Cataract Surgery
- Schedule a baseline eye exam to establish eligibility and to discuss what you should expect before, during, and after surgery.
- For 24 hours before your baseline exam, stop wearing contact lenses. This timeline varies based on the type of contacts you wear.
- One day before and the day of the surgery, stop using creams, make-up, or perfumes. These may increase the risk of infection during and after surgery.
- Arrange for transportation to and from your cataract surgery; you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours, until the anesthetic has worn off and your vision is good enough.
- You may need to arrange to be away from work for a few days after surgery.
- Confirm with us when you should plan to arrive for your surgery.
- Plan ahead so that the day of your surgery is free of all other commitments and activities.
The Day of the Surgery
The actual cataract surgery will take less than 30 minutes, but pre- and post-operative care will require you to stay at our facility for a few hours. After your stay at our facility, all other activities should be postponed. Devote the entire day to rest and recovery.
What should I wear?
- Plan to wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing.
- Refrain from wearing fleece or other fabric that creates lint.
- Refrain from wearing jewelry or make-up.
Will the surgery be painful?
An eye-drop anesthetic will be administered, so that your experience will be virtually pain-free. We have a fully qualified anesthetist at your surgery who will give you some medications to help you relax and be comfortable throughout the procedure. Ask us about any concerns you might have.
During Cataract Surgery
To begin, we will administer an eye-drop anesthetic and clean the area around your eye. Then a lid speculum, a gentle spring device, will be put in place to hold your eyelids open. You will be asked to stare at a light to help position your eye correctly. Then the doctor will begin by making a tiny 3 mm incision in the cornea, the clear part of your eye. an opening is then made in the lens of the eye, followed by breaking up of the lens into tiny fragments with an ultrasonic device called a phacoemulsification handpiece (Phacoemulsification Technique). The tiny fragments are washed out of the eye with special fluid. Then, the artificial lens is folded into a small roll, and inserted in the place of the natural lens which has been removed. Stitches will usually not be necessary to close the incision. A clear plastic shield will be applied to the eye, and eye drops are put in the eye.
Post Cataract Surgery
You may experience some or all of the following after cataract surgery:
- Irritated, watery, or bloodshot eye(s)
- Discomfort or mild pain
- Temporarily blurred vision
Your doctor will prescribe eye drops to help alleviate these symptoms, which should subside within the first few days after surgery. It may take a few months for your vision to stabilize. You will be provided with a pair of sunglasses to wear while your eye heals. Be sure to use only these sunglasses; other eyewear will not provide the same protection. Do not resume wearing contact lenses while your eye is healing. Be sure to schedule and attend post-operative appointments as recommended, to monitor your healing progress; and be sure to contact us immediately if you develop any new or worsening symptoms after cataract surgery.
Learn More about Cataract Surgery
For more information regarding cataract surgery in Toronto, Ontario, contact the laser eye specialists at Yonge Eglinton Laser Eye + Cosmetic Centre to schedule your personal consultation. We look forward to hearing from you, and hopefully helping to correct your vision.
Call or Email Us to Book Your Complimentary Consultation
(877) 950-1414(416) 545-1900
Our Location
2345 Yonge Street Ste. 212
Toronto, Ontario, M4P 2E5
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