Cataract Surgery

cataract surgery

Modern advancements in laser eye surgeries have made recovering after eye cataract removal more comfortable than in years past. Snead Eye Group is one of the only eye surgery centers in Southwest Florida to offer LenSx® Femtosecond Cataract Laser Surgery. Our cataract surgeons use an FDA-cleared custom cataract laser to make more precise incisions for fewer complications during your procedure.

With offices in Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Cape Coral, we strive to improve the recovery experience for our Southwest Florida patients. Feel free to reach out to our friendly eye specialists with any questions or concerns, and we’ll do our best to answer all of your questions.

 

Arrange to Have Someone Drive You Home After Surgery

Snead Eye Group only uses a topical anesthetic for most cataract eye surgeries in our offices. An uncomplicated cataract surgery can take less than 15 minutes to perform, but you may need to stay in our recovery area up to an hour afterward for observation. Plan on having someone available to drive you home after surgery, as you may be groggy. Since your eyes may be sensitive to bright lights and glare, plan on wearing sunglasses. Most people go home and rest after surgery.

What Are Common Side Effects During Cataract Surgery Recovery?

Your eyes may be red and bloodshot for a few days due to temporary damage done to your blood vessels during surgery. As your eyes heal, this redness should fade. If you were injected with anesthesia, you might experience bruising similar to a black eye.

Many patients experience blurry or double vision and watery eyes. Another common side effect after cataract surgery is dry eyes or a scratchy or gritty sensation while your eyes are healing.

Although many of these side effects will wear off within the first few days, full cataract surgery recovery could take up to 4-6 weeks. Please discuss any lingering effects or concerns with your eye doctor during follow-up appointments.

What Cataract Treatments Are Available at Snead Eye Group?

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When you choose to have cataract eye surgery at Snead Eye Group, you and your eye doctor will decide which replacement lens, or IOL (intraocular lens), is best for you. Because many factors determine the best lens option, we will assist you in making an informed decision on the lens most suitable for your lifestyle. The most popular options we offer include the following:

iol multifocal lenses

MULTIFOCAL LENSES

Presbyopia is a condition that causes near vision to decrease as we age, making it difficult to see things up-close. Multifocal lenses are designed to combat the effects of presbyopia for clear distance vision plus a full range of intermediate and near vision, reducing the need for corrective lenses or even reading glasses. Multifocal lenses are for individuals who desire the least amount of dependency on glasses. The lenses are FDA-approved and give patients clear vision.

iol tecnis lens

VIVITY LENSES

The Vivity Lens is classified as “Extended Range of Vision.” This means patients will be able to see much better various focal points. The best way to describe this technology is to think of alternative rings of different focusing powers. One set of rings is for focusing on images far away and the other is for objects close up. Only these two distances are in focus and the images in between are blurry. At night, the near-focus rings could even create halos or glare around distance light.

iol toric lens

TORIC LENSES

Toric or astigmatic lenses are for individuals who desire better distance vision and the correction of their astigmatism. Astigmatism is when the eye is longer or shaped like a football rather than a basketball. Images become distorted as light rays are prevented from meeting at a common focal point. Astigmatism is quite common and can be corrected with intraocular lenses and limbal relaxing incisions performed with the LenSx® laser during cataract eye surgery.

How Do AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL Lenses Work?

Redefine your vision with the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal Lens, the first and only trifocal lens available in the United States. Delivering an outstanding range of vision, the PanOptix® Lens is the latest advancement from the AcrySof® family of lenses. The AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens provides.

Panotix IOL lens
lensx bladeless laser

What Is LenSx® Femtosecond Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery?

Snead Eye Group is committed to offering the latest technology and state-of-the-art equipment for superior cataract surgery outcomes. We’re one of the only Southwest Florida practices offering LenSx® Femtosecond Cataract Laser Surgery in both of our surgery centers. The revolutionary LenSx® Femtosecond Cataract Laser provides cataract patients with an optimized cataract surgery experience.

Typically, cataract surgeries are performed manually, with the surgeon using a blade to create all of the incisions during the procedure. With the introduction of the first FDA-cleared custom cataract laser, the cataract surgeons at Snead Eye Group can create incisions and reduce astigmatism with a laser. The incisions are more accurate and precise, thus eliminating some of the variables that have complicated cataract eye surgery results in the past.

What Is Cataract Surgery Recovery Like for Your Patients?

Everyone heals somewhat differently, but many cataract surgery patients report improved vision almost immediately after the procedure. Because cataract surgery at Snead Eye Group only uses a topical anesthetic and a self-healing incision, most patients return to their everyday routines within a day or two. According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, more than 98% of cataract patients had their vision successfully improved after cataract surgery. Many patients experience vision that is actually better than before they even developed cataracts.

Curious About Cataract Surgery? Contact Us for a Consultation!

If you would like to learn more about what cataract surgery is like at Snead Eye Group, we urge you to contact us and schedule a consultation. Our eye specialists would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding cataract eye surgery costs, recovery, and what to expect during the procedure. We have convenient locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Bonita Springs, and Cape Coral to serve you. New patients may also download patient forms and policies from our website before their appointment.

successful cataract surgery

Can Cataracts Grow Back After a Cataract Eye Surgery?

Cataracts will not grow back. However, some patients may experience the clouding of a thin tissue called the capsule or “bag” that holds the intraocular lens (IOL). In most cases, a laser is used to open the clouded capsule and restore clear vision.