Cataract Surgery

What Can One Expect During Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States - and the most successful. Over 95 percent of those who have cataract surgery regain vision levels between 20/40 and 20/20.

Cataract surgery lasts about 15 minutes, and is usually painless. Most patients will remain awake during surgery. Anesthetic drops will be used to numb the nerves in and around the eye. Patients will receive intravenous sedation for relaxation.

A lens implant (intraocular lens) inserted during cataract surgery allows Dr. Pearlman to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness. The technologically advanced Crystalens can provide high definition correction for distance vision, near vision, and everything in between.

The most advanced technique of cataract removal is phacoemulsification. This procedure involves making a tiny incision, about 2.5 to 3.0 millimeters in length at the edge of the cornea. A pencil-like instrument, inserted through the incision, and using ultrasound, emulsifies (breakdown into tiny pieces) and aspirates the clouded lens material. The intraocular lens is then inserted into place. The incision is self-sealing, requiring no stitches.

At the time of cataract surgery Dr. Pearlman can also correct for astigmatism by making additional small incisions in the cornea to make the cornea more spherical (Limbal Relaxing Incisions).

Are lasers used during cataract surgery?

During the past three decades, the techniques and results of cataract surgery in the U.S. have changed dramatically:

Smaller incisions have become the standard: Ultrasonic (U/S) phacoemulsification is now the method of choice for most surgeons.
Along with these advances have come improved intraocular lens materials and designs, which are especially well suited for use with smaller incisions .
Improved wound construction allows many wounds to be left unsutured.
Smaller wounds require shorter recovery time and allow greater intraoperative control and safety.
Currently, LASERS are NOT used to remove cataracts.

Dr. Pearlman was the first to perform:

NO INJECTION (TOPICAL ANESTHESIA) - 1ST. IN DELRAY BEACH

NO STITCH, NO PATCH - 1ST. IN DELRAY BEACH

CRYSTALENS - 1ST. IN DELRAY BEACH

LIMBAL RELAXING INCISIONS (CORRECTION FOR ASTIGMATISM) - 1ST. AT DELRAY AMBULATORY SURGERY & LASER CENTER

5258 Linton Boulevard, Suite 204 • Delray Beach, FL 33484 • Tel: 561.495.0808