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Cataract Surgery - A Patients Perspective
Will I be wearing a patch after surgery?
Following is a synopsis of cataract surgery as experienced by a patient. This is an edited version of a draft penned by Mr. Edward J. Trethaway. A number of Dr. Shingleton's
patients have added comments to make it helpful to patients preparing for cataract surgery.
Introduction
When the normally clear lens within the eye becomes cloudy and opaque it is called a cataract. Cataracts vary from extremely small areas of cloudiness to large opaque areas that
cause a noticeable loss of vision. One method to treat cataracts is surgical removal with the use of ultrasound and intraocular lens implantation.
Many people preparing to have cataract surgery may be as apprehensive as I was when told that the procedure would be done under local anesthesia. While I could accept having a
cyst removed from my face or finger under "local," I found it intimidating to be conscious during eye surgery. Despite being told by my primary eye care doctor and Dr. Shingleton
that the surgery was short, painless and that I wouldn't see instruments or anything alarming---I was apprehensive. I wanted reassurance from another patient. The patient reassured me that the surgery would be as the doctors described. Therefore, to put everyone who is contemplating this
procedure at ease, I have documented my cataract surgery experience.
Pre-operative Visit with Surgeon
At some point, a person with a cataract is told that cataract removal is required to improve vision. If the patient agrees, an eye examination is scheduled with a cataract surgeon, and,
in my case, this was Dr. Shingleton. Dr. Shingleton confirmed that the cataract should be removed and determined the specifications of the intraocular lens to be implanted. Information
about the surgery was provided and all my questions were answered. Surgery was scheduled by Dr. Shingleton's surgical coordinator. The date and time were determined by my
sense of urgency and Dr. Shingleton's schedule. Most patients are accommodated within 8 weeks.
The Day of Surgery
Cataract surgery with Dr. Shingleton at the Boston Eye Surgery & Laser Center or the Cape Cod Eye Surgery and Laser Center is a 3-step procedure which takes approximately
3 hours.
- Preparation - More data is gathered, an identification bracelet is attached and eye drops are administered for various purposes including dilating the pupil and anesthetizing the eye.
Intravenous is started for safety purposes.
- Surgery - My surgery suite had a large, cheery pastoral scene covering an entire wall---hardly a bleak, unfriendly environment!
You are moved to a surgical chair and reclined to a comfortable position. The skin surrounding the eye is sterilized with a solution. It is then covered with what appeared to be a light
gray piece of translucent plastic material with a hole around the eye. The junction of the sterile material with the hole over the eye is adhered to the face with medical tape. The plastic
drape allows light in and is lifted away from your nose and mouth so that you can breathe easily and don't feel confined. The rest of the body is covered with a warm blanket.
At this point you are ready for surgery. Dr. Shingleton greets and reassures you. He explains what you will experience. The anesthesia has made the area totally numb and the eyelids
are held open with a lid holder. Throughout the 10-minute procedure you will see a broad bright light which is not uncomfortable (I saw three rather small blue lights). While conversation
is minimal, you can ask questions and the doctor may ask you to "look up" or "look down" to reposition the eyeball a little differently. Some anesthesia does not allow mobility of the eye.
In either case, an ultrasound/vacuum instrument removes the cloudy lens and the artificial intraocular lens is inserted. There is no pain or discomfort during the procedure.
One of the things that fascinated me was how Dr. Shingleton inserted the ¼" diameter lens through a 1/8" opening. When my surgery was complete, Dr. Shingleton showed me
the tool he used to insert the intraocular lens. It folds the lens into a "taco shape" and then the lens unfolds in the eye. This is often done without any stitches.
- Recovery -- This phase lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The heart, lungs and blood pressure continue to be monitored. You are brought coffee, tea or juice and a muffin or cookie. If a
friend or relative joined you, they can visit you in the recovery area.
There is one added, interesting feature in the waiting room. If someone accompanies you to surgery, they can watch your operation on a TV monitor in a sectioned off portion of the
waiting room. There is no blood and it is not difficult to watch. On the 18" screen you see a 9" diameter eyeball and the various steps taking place. My wife declined to watch, but I
watched several cases after mine. When I am at the Surgery Center for another medical checkup next year, I am actually planning to watch a procedure again!
Post-operative Information and Comments
There are several cautions to be observed for up to 4 weeks after surgery. Daily drops in decreasing numbers are used during this period. Precautions are written and instructions
are given to you following your surgery. Here is the program that I followed, but each person will be given advice from his own doctor. This information is provided as an example
of what to expect.
- Three different drops are placed in the eye four to six times a day for the first week, three to four times a day for the second week, two times a week for the third week, and once
a day for the fourth week. The surgical facility provided samples and prescriptions for refills.
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A) A shield is worn over the operated right eye for the first night while sleeping.
B) Bending, kneeling and squatting are permissible.
C) Lifting of normal weights can be done with full activity at two weeks following surgery.
D) If there is minor discomfort in the eye, Tylenol may be taken. I took one tab on the first night because of a little scratchiness.
E) The doctor said I could drive a car 24-hours after surgery. This decision obviously depends on the condition of the fellow eye.
F) Showers can be taken immediately and your hair can be washed. It is important to cover to keep it dry. No restrictions in terms of water contact are present
after three weeks.
G) Swimming in a pool is not recommended until two weeks after surgery.
H) Healing is complete at 4 weeks and all activity can be resumed at this time.
I) You are expected to stay in the New England area from one week. Travel outside the continental United States is not allowed for one month after surgery.
- I consider the vision in my operative eye NORMAL for all intents and purposes, however, I do notice some light sensitivity when looking at a reasonably bright light. This is not
a problem when using both eyes. Also, there is a difference in color appreciation between the two eyes. The operated eye sees brighter.
- The need for new glasses depends on how quickly the eye stabilizes after surgery as measured by refraction. In my case, there was no effective change in prescription and no
glasses were required. It should be noted that if a patient is over 65 and on Medicare, 80% of the cost of the lenses and new frames are covered by that insurance. The optician will
fill out the necessary forms.
- Surgery and anesthesia can affect blood counts for up to one week. I have adult onset diabetes type II and my sugar count increased for six days.
I am delighted with the results of the cataract surgery, as is everyone I have talked with who has had the same operation. No one needing similar treatment should be
apprehensive. I hope this statement reassures everyone about the procedure and the post-operative care. It is a very interesting learning experience, one of life's very
tolerable adventures. It is truly a modern medical miracle!
Note from Dr. Shingleton
I thank Mr. Trethaway and all other patients who reviewed his text and added their comments. I hope this will make you feel more comfortable about your cataract surgery experience.
A Poem from a Patient
Doctor Bradford Shingleton
By Catherine L. Lewis
The practice of Doctor Shingleton
Is in a large office in Boston
His given first name is Bradford
His is the one on Staniford
His staff is absolutely great
Naturally, one has to wait
He's probably best in the state
His efforts are called first rate
My left eye had a vision lack
Because of awful cataracts
But now my good eyesight is back
It is an art to have the knack
Of removing the cloudy lens
Takes his time, an hour
spent I'm able to see what's
written Yes, with even the finest pens
Meet the Doctor in his practice
In school, learned what the fact is
How to replace the lens in the eye
He succeeds and does more than try
He gave me some brochures to read
About how we would proceed
Explaining what he'd do indeed
He put a lens, like a large seed
Into my eye and I am happy
Now I am able to map read
I enjoyed a muffin and coffee
It was like a little party
I even got a real nice plant
It was healthy and I shant
Let it die from lack of water
A big plant, not a starter
Also, he gave me resumes
Of the doctors and their ways
Interesting things they say
Explained what would happen that day
And it worked; it was no problem
Never before have I been
More excited about vision
Cataracts are like a prison
They put an IV in for shots
At home I would take all the drops
My friends asked if I could tell
If I could see clear as a bell
My test results were really good I
wish that everyone would
Realize just how well it goes
Doctor Shingleton's on his toes
So, my message to all who come
Is get all your cataracts done
It's like being now in Heaven
Make the appointment when you can
Eyesight is such a precious sense
And there's nothing that makes one tense
The whole morning went very fast
It's true, the operation lasts
So, the Doctor and his crew
Knew exactly what to do
Everything they said was true
Now the other eye is due
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