Procedures

Procedure Description: Small Incision Cataract Surgery Small Incision Cataract Surgery What To Expect: Your surgery is performed at an outpatient surgery facility and you are able to go home shortly after the surgery is completed. Most of the time no stitch or patching is needed. Preprocedure: It is necessary to obtain surgical clearance from your primary care physician within 30 days of your surgery. You will need to have measurements taken of your eye to determine the strength of the implant that will be placed in your eye. A surgery packet will be given to you to review and medications will be given with a surgery kit for you to begin a few days before surgery. Postprocedure: Review the surgery packet given to you along with the postoperative instructions.

Procedure Description: Corneal Transplant
Replacing a scarred or diseased cornea with a new one

What To Expect:
PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY (CORNEAL TRANSPLANT):
This is typically a 60-90 minute procedure that involves replacing a poorly working cornea with a healthier one. It is typically performed at an outpatient surgery center and you are able to go home the same day. Arrange for someone to bring you. You will not be allowed to drive yourself home.

Preprocedure:
Approval from your primary care doctor necessary. This as well as your preop testing is usually performed within 30 days of your surgery.

Postprocedure:
Review the surgery packet that was given to you and your postoperative instruction sheet.
You should not perform strenuous activities or lift heavy objects until your doctor approves.

Procedure Description: Punctual Plugs
Placement of a plug in the tear duct to keep the eye more moist and help avoid dry eye symptoms.

What To Expect:
This is a short office procedure that is performed at the lamp the doctor uses to look at you eyes. A topical anesthetic is used to numb the area (drops).

Preprocedure:
No special arrangements are necessary.

Postprocedure:
You may drive yourself home if you are comfortable.
Avoid rubbing the inner corners of your eyes for a few hours.

Procedure Description: Sty Removal
Incision, drainage, and excision of abscess and scar tissue in eyelid.

What To Expect:
This is a short office procedure that is performed with a local anesthetic injected into the area of the abscess.

Preprocedure:
Avoid aspirin for 7-10 days before the procedure to avoid or minimize potential bruising.

Postprocedure:
You may drive yourself home if you are comfortable. Drops or ointment should be used as prescribed. Stitches if placed will be removed 5-10 days later. Mild to moderate bruising is relatively common due to the numerous blood vessels that surround the eyelid area.

Procedure Description: Yag Posterior Capsulotomy
After cataract laser surgery

What To Expect:
After dilation of the operative eye, the procedure takes approximately 5 minutes. Patients usually report no discomfort.

Preprocedure:
Consents are signed and the operative eye receives drops.

Postprocedure:
Pressure check 1 hour after procedure; Dilated exam approximately 1 week later. Glasses will be checked then.

Procedure Description: DSEK
"Sutureless" Corneal Transplant

What To Expect:
DESCEMETS STRIPPING ENDOTHELIAL KERATECTOMY (DSEK):
A incision is placed in the sclera near the cornea about the size of previous cataract wounds in this region which eliminates the need for corneal sutures. This allows the cornea to better retain its natural shape while avoiding large amounts of irregular astigmatism.

Preprocedure:
Clearance from your medical doctor for surgery.

Postprocedure:
Typically a more rapid recovery than the traditional corneal transplant with much less residual astigmatism.

Procedure Description: Implant for Astigmatism
Implanting a special lens after cataract surgery

What To Expect:
Reduction of astigmatism which typically allows one to see distance objects without glasses 97% of the time if implanted into both eyes.

Preprocedure:
Special measurements will be taken in addition to the traditional cataract presurgical evaluation.

Postprocedure:
Similar to standard cataract surgery.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Various therapies are offered, including Punctal occlusion, Restasis, nutritional products, and various tear suppliment options. Surgical options are sometimes necessary for severe dry eyes with corneal complications.

Restor Lens Implant Surgery

The RESTOR IOL is available to patients having cataract surgery who wish to decrease their dependence on eyeglasses. The Restor IOL allows patients to see distance and near, reducing the need for reading glasses. Interested individuals are screened to assure that the procedure can meet the persons expectations. INDICATIONS: The ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® Apodized Diffractive Optic Posterior Chamber Intraocular Lens (IOL) is intended for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia secondary to removal of a cataractous lens in adult patients with and without presbyopia, who desire near, intermediate and distance vision with decreased spectacle dependence. See our link to the product website under weblinks.