The following are some frequently asked questions from our surgical patients. You can also get more information regarding eye surgery from our website information section on Cataract surgery and Glaucoma surgery. The most common type of ocular surgery is cataract extraction with lens implant.

When do I need cataract surgery?
Cataracts develop slowly and because it usually occurs in both eyes, you may not realize how much your vision has been affected. Once the lens in the eye becomes cloudy, hazy and discolored, the quality of your vision diminishes. This can affect reading, driving and your overall safety. When you have trouble seeing or experience difficulties doing things you like because of the blurry vision, you should consider removing your cataracts. By having your cataract removed, you can expect improved vision and enjoy the activities that were affected by the decreased vision.

What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries in medicine. Since its widespread adoption in the mid-1970s, millions of operations have been performed in the United States. The majority is successful and patients are pleased with their improved vision. We take all precautions to prevent post-operative complications such as infection, inflammation, swelling of the front or back of the eye, increased pressure in the eye and retina problems. Even if a complication occurs, it can usually be managed with little effect on the final post-operative vision.

Will I feel anything during cataract surgery?
The anesthesia staff will administer medications to make you relax, but you will be awake. An anesthetic gel or drop is used to numb your eye and minimize pain. You will see a bright light and may feel pressure in your eye as the surgery is performed, but most patients will not experience any pain. Your eye will not be patched afterward. You will be given some eye drops to use during the post-operative period. These drops should start as soon as you get home.

What is done during cataract surgery?
A small incision of less than ¼ of an inch is made on the edge of the clear part of the eye. An instrument call a phacoemulsifier breaks the cataract into small pieces, which are removed through a small tube. An intraocular lens implant (IOL) is used to replace your natural cataract lens. Stitches, needles and injections are usually not required for cataract surgery.

How long will the surgery take?
There is no set time; the answer is "as long as it takes to do a safe and complete operation". On average, modern cataract surgery takes approximately 15 to 20 minutes of actual surgery time. If additional work is required, such as correcting astigmatism, controlling glaucoma or treating other eye diseases, the operating time will be longer. Plan to be at the hospital for a couple of hours, the preparation for the surgery may take some time.

Where is the surgery performed?
Eye surgeries are performed at both Medina General and Wadsworth-Rittman Hospitals. However, Dr. Chi also maintains privileges at other hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers. Our surgical coordinator, Cathy Halpin, can provide further information.

Do I need to bring someone to the hospital with me?
Yes. Someone will need to bring you home. Please arrange for a family member or friend to accompany you on the day of surgery. You may drive the next day if you feel like you can see well enough with either eye.

Where do I go when I get to the hospital?
You should report to the main information desk when you arrive at the hospital. There you will be directed to the correct surgical area.

How long will I be at the hospital?
You can expect to be at the hospital - from the outpatient admissions process to discharge - for approximately two to three hours. Even though the surgical time is much less, the preparation for the surgery may take some time. After surgery, you will be offered a snack if you desire.

Do I have to wear anything over my eye after surgery?
No, but we prefer that you use an eye shield for protection while napping or sleeping for the first few days after surgery. You can also wear sunglasses or your regular glasses around the house.

What will my vision be in the first few days?
Your vision may be blurry for the first few days. Everyone heals differently and some patients will see well the same day, while others will have some blurry vision for a few days. Patients with other associated eye disease may take longer to heal. As long as you use all your drops to help control the inflammation and swelling, your vision will improve with each passing day.

What are my restrictions after surgery?
There are minimal restrictions after cataract surgery. You can bend, go out and resume most of your normal activities. No heavy lifting (over 30 pounds) and no strenuous exercise for the first 3 days after surgery. Please do not rub or massage the eye hard in the immediate post-operative period. Protect the eye with glasses, sunglasses or shield when using machinery such as grass cutters and weed whackers. Avoid the potential of contamination.

When can I go back to work after cataract surgery?
If your job doesn't require heavy lifting, running around, extensive driving, precise vision or significant physical activities, then you can return to work within 1 to 2 days. Please consult your eye surgeon for a specific time frame for work restriction.

Can I drive after cataract surgery?
You will need someone to drive you on the day of surgery since you will be receiving some mild sedation at the hospital. If you see feel comfortable and see well enough the next day, you may drive the day after surgery.

Do I need an implant, what is the implant made of and how long will it last?
Modern day cataract surgery requires the placement of an implant to avoid the many post-operative complications experienced 20 to 30 years ago. These implants are typically made of different materials such as Acrylic, Silicone or proline. These and other types of eye implant materials have been exceptionally well tolerated by the tens of millions of patients for many years. These implants will probably outlast most patients' life span.

Can something be done to correct my astigmatism?
In some patients with astigmatism, we can perform special modifications to the incision and/or with additional micro-incisions. We can reduce your astigmatism at the same time we remove your cataract. Your doctor will talk with you before surgery to see if you are a good candidate for this additional premium procedure. This astigmatic correction may enable you to see distance or near without glasses.

What is monovision?
Monovision is using one eye for near vision and the other for distance. Because traditional implants cannot focus at distance and at near, we implant different power lens to create a situation where one eye can see very well at distance without glasses and the second eye can see at near without glasses. Monovision is a method to reduce the need for glasses after surgery. Everyone may not tolerate monovision and sometimes a premium procedure such as astigmatic correction is also required to achieve this condition.

What is an "Accommodative Lens"?
This lens is design for those patients who want to minimize the use of glasses for near and far vision. The eye loses its ability to focus at near after the age of 40. The Accommodative Lens is a type of lens that is designed to help the cataract surgery patient recapture a portion of that ability. The goal of the Accommodative Lens is to reduce the need for glasses for both distance vision and near vision post-operatively. Studies have indicated that up to 90 to 95 % of patients who have accommodative lens implant can function without glasses. It is recommended that accommodative lens be place in both eyes to maximize their effectiveness. There is a premium cost to this new generation of Accommodative Lens. This cost is not covered by any insurance company. Please ask your doctor to see if you are a good candidate for this lens.

How much does cataract surgery cost?
Although you will see "charges" from the hospital, the surgeon and the anesthesia group, your insurance will pay all parties an agreed-upon amount for the services rendered. You will be responsible for any co-payments, deductibles and non-covered amounts. These vary by insurance plan. You may wish to contact your plan prior to undergoing surgery to verify your responsibility. The surgeon's fees include 90 days of post-operative follow-up care at no additional charge. If you choose additional premium services such as astigmatic corrections or the Accommodative Lens, the cost is not covered by your insurance. This additional cost will be charged separately and is due before the day of surgery.

Will I need glasses after surgery?
Most patients will need some glasses to see distance or near after routine cataract surgery. Not all implants can reproduce the young human len's ability to see both at a distance and at near, especially if you have astigmatism. If you are active and enjoy sporting activities such as golf or drive a car, the implant will usually be selected to attempt a correction of your distance vision. Although your distance vision may be excellent, you will still need some glasses to help with reading up close. There are some new technology implants which will enable patients to see distance and up close. Please ask your surgeon or read the above questions concerning accommodative lens or the patient information section on cataract surgery. Everyone's eyes are different!! Some people may need glasses all the time after surgery and some may not.

How long does it take to get my new glasses?
We will prescribe new glasses for you at the time of the third post-operative visit, about 3 to 4 weeks after your surgery. Although it can be done sooner, we find the prescription stabilizes around the time of this third visit. If you decide to purchase your glasses in our optical shop, you can expect them to be ready about one week after placing your order. Some patients also use temporary reading glasses until the final prescription is written.

I have a cataract in my other eye. Why don't my new glasses help?
The brain must interpret the images that the two eyes "see". If the post-operative eye sees very well and the non-operated, second eye does not; the brain will have difficulty "fusing" the images. Time generally improves this situation but "balancing" the vision in each eye so that they both see well is the ultimate goal. Surgery in the second eye often improves this problem.

When can I have the second eye operated on?
In this country, we do not do surgery on both eyes at the same time. If you are comfortable with your first cataract surgery, we can do surgery on the second eye relatively soon after the first eye. Usually, we will ask you to tell us when you wish to have the second eye done. Your eye surgeon can discuss the time frame for your second eye surgery.

Why do some people not see well after cataract surgery?
The most common reasons for poor vision following cataract surgery are conditions that affect the eye and existed before the operation. These might include such things as diabetic damage, macular degeneration, and damage to the optic nerve because of poor circulation or glaucoma, previous injury, lazy eye or amblyopia. A small percentage occurs because of surgical complications and unforeseen circumstances during surgery, which alter the surgical plans. The surgical complication rate for cataract surgery is one of the lowest in medicine.

How will I read after surgery or until I get my new glasses?
Some patients continue to use their old glasses until they receive the new ones. This will not harm the surgical eye, but the vision will be blurry with their old glasses. Some patients take out the lens in their old glasses or replace the lens temporarily with a non-power clear lens. Others go to a drug store and get some readers (magnifier) glasses to use until the new glasses are ready. Your eye doctor will give you some guidelines on which reader glasses to choose.

How often do I need to be seen after cataract surgery?
You will receive a schedule of all your post operative visits. There are usually 3-4 follow up visits after surgery.

Are there other types of eye surgery besides cataract surgery?
There are many other types of ocular surgery such as glaucoma, retina, eye lids and others. These other ocular surgeries usually require longer surgical time, longer recovery time, more post operative visits, different risk and complications than cataract surgery. Your eye surgeon will explain all the specifications and instructions to you for these ocular surgeries.

Who do I contact if I have other questions?
Our surgical coordinator, Cathy Halpin, is available to address any other questions or concerns you may have about your surgery. Please leave a message for her at our office.
330-722-8300 or 330-334-1300