Cataract surgery is a widely performed procedure designed to restore clear vision by removing a cloudy natural lens and replacing it with an artificial one. This common operation addresses cataracts, which cause blurry vision and can interfere with daily activities. Understanding what occurs during the process can help alleviate concerns patients may have about the experience.
Getting Ready for Surgery
Before the surgery begins, patients receive instructions, such as avoiding food and drink for several hours. Upon arrival at the surgical center, administrative checks are completed before moving to a preparation area. A nurse or surgeon cleans the area around the eye and applies eye drops to dilate the pupil.
These drops also include a local anesthetic to numb the eye’s surface, ensuring comfort during the procedure. Sometimes, a mild sedative is given to help patients relax, though they remain awake and responsive throughout. This preparation ensures the eye is ready and comfortable for the procedure.
What You Perceive During the Procedure
During cataract surgery, patients are awake and may perceive various sensations, though pain is usually absent due to the anesthesia. The procedure takes 10 to 30 minutes per eye. Most patients describe seeing bright lights, appearing as various colors, such as blue, red, pink, yellow, or green.
These lights originate from the operating microscope, and their brightness or color may shift as the surgery progresses. Patients do not see specific surgical instruments or clear details; instead, visuals are often blurry and include vague shapes or movements. Some may liken the visual experience to looking through a foggy window or seeing abstract color images.
While the eye is numb, a patient might feel light pressure or a gentle “washing” sensation as fluids are used to maintain the eye’s shape and clear debris. A device gently holds the eyelids open, preventing blinking and ensuring the surgeon has a clear, stable field of view. Patients may also hear sounds from the equipment, such as buzzing or a soft chatter, as the surgeon uses ultrasound to break up the cloudy lens and suction out the fragments. The visual experience during surgery is often neutral or mildly pleasant.
Immediate Post-Operative Sensations
Immediately after cataract surgery, while still in the recovery area, patients notice that their vision is blurry. This blurriness is expected, often due to eye drops and the eye’s adjustment to the new lens. Patients might also experience a gritty feeling or a sensation as if something is in the eye, along with some mild discomfort rather than pain.
It is common for the eye to feel a bit scratchy, sticky, or watery in the hours following the procedure. A protective eye shield or patch is placed over the treated eye to prevent accidental rubbing or pressure. While vision will gradually improve over the following hours and days, this immediate post-operative period involves a short stay in the recovery area for monitoring before discharge.