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Common questions about cataract surgery.

It is not uncommon to have questions regarding cataract surgery, after all, this involves your eyes and seeing is a critical sense. Additionally, cataract surgery has evolved tremendously over the past 50 years and in different ways. At Coastal Surgical Center we want you to ask as many questions as possible. This surgery will play a major role in how you see for the remainder of your life and you have choices about the type and quality of vision you will gain after surgery. We have compiled several questions that will be useful to read as you begin your cataract surgery experience.

A: Your eye doctor will examine your eye to determine if you have a cataract and if the cataract is advanced enough to require surgery? Your doctor may conduct several tests, including: Visual acuity test. A visual acuity test uses an eye chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters.

A. Your surgeon will provide surgical options for performing surgery. You will consult with a Surgical Coordinator who will review the options your surgeon has recommended, & will schedule you accordingly. The discussion regarding your future vision and implants types should happen at this time as well.

A: All cataract surgeries are outpatient and you will go home the same day.

A: Patients do not experience pain in cataract surgery, but like any surgery you will have a recovery period and you may experience swelling and blurry vision. Some patients report a scratchy eye feeling.

A: A sedative will be administered that will make you relaxed and tired.

A: You cannot drive after the surgery so you will need to recruit some help bringing you to and from the surgery center.

A: We typically tell my patients to not lift or bend for one week, and to not rub their eyes for at least a month. It sounds difficult to not rub your eyes for an entire month, but rubbing the eyes can cause some pain which serves as a natural reminder. Please see our page regarding after cataract surgery for more information.

A: Most patients do not need stitches after cataract surgery.

Questions Regarding Intraocular Lens Implants

A: lens implant types

• Monofocal

• Multifocal

• Accommodating

• Light adjustable

• Trifocal

• Toric (astigmatism correcting)

A: Candidates for lens implants may vary from patients over the age of 40-45 to those suffering from cataracts. Most people seeking lens implants desire a full range of vision not just vision at one distance. Monofocal lens implants are typically not attractive to these candidates who desire this full range of vision.

A: There is an additional cost with premium lens implants including multifocal, accommodating, trifocal or toric lens implants. Medicare will pay the standard cataract fee and you will be expected to pay an additional charge for the lens implant and related technical services.