Cataract Surgery 

Over fifty percent of people over the age of 60, and quite a few younger than that, suffer from cataracts. Currently, no medical treatment can prevent or reverse the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only way to see clearly again is to have them removed from within the eye.

In your parents' or grandparents' day, cataract surgery was considered risky, required a lengthy hospital stay and was usually postponed for as long as possible. Today, Michigan Eye Institute cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis and takes minutes, not hours.  It is one of the most common and successful medical procedures performed today.

Cataract surgery is for those who have:

• a visually significant cataract
• impaired quality of life due to poor vision
• other eye health issues controlled as best as possible

What to expect for routine cataract surgery:

You will arrive at the surgery center about an hour prior to your procedure. Once you have been checked in you may receive medicine to help you relax.  Eye drops will help prepare your eye for surgery.  Once in the operating suite, the area around your eye will be cleaned and a sterile drape will be placed.
Local anesthetic eye drops will be used to numb your eye.  A small eyelid holder is then placed to keep you from blinking during the procedure.		Your eye will be completely numbed before the procedure.

A very small incision will be made and a tiny ultrasonic probe will be used to break up the cataract into microscopic particles using high-energy sound waves. This is called phacoemulsification.

The cataract particles will be gently suctioned away.  After the cataract is removed, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) implant will be inserted through the micro-incision into permanent position. The small incision is "self-sealing" and usually requires no stitches.  This type of incision heals fast and provides a much more comfortable recuperation.

Intra-Ocular Lens replaces the natural lens of the eye.

The IOL is placed inside the capsular bag of the eye.

If your eye has pre-existing astigmatism, LRIs or limbal relaxing incisions may be placed to reduce your astigmatism.

Pre-existing astigmatism can be treated with limbal relaxing incisions.

You will go home soon after the surgery and relax for the rest of the day. Everyone heals somewhat differently, but many patients report improvement in their vision almost immediately after the procedure. Most patients return to their normal activities within a day or two.

Realistic expectations:

The decision to have cataract surgery is an important one that only you can make. The goal of any vision restoration procedure is to improve your vision. However, we cannot guarantee you will have the results you desire.

Once removed, cataracts themselves do not grow back. However over time, the thin tissue behind the implant, called the capsular bag, may cloud over causing blurred vision.  This can be corrected in the office, using a laser to painlessly open the clouded capsule and restore clear vision with a procedure called a Yag Posterior capsulotomy.

The capsular bag may become cloudy in the future.

Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure, but like any surgical procedure, there are potential risks.   Fortunately, serious complications are rare.   An experienced Cataract surgeon can help minimize the risks involved with cataract surgery.  See our Cataract Surgery Provider Checklist for more information.

After a thorough eye exam, you and your doctor will determine if cataract surgery is an option for you.  You will be given additional information about the procedure that will help you make an informed decision.   Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction. 

You may also choose to make an appointment or request additional information to learn more about this exciting procedure.

Cataract Surgery Flint
Cataract Surgery Michigan