Preparing For Cataract Surgery

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Cataract surgery is a safe and straightforward process that is usually well tolerated by most. As one of the most popular medical procedures in America, cataract surgery may also be covered by private and Medicare insurance plans minus any applicable deductible payments.

Your surgeon will use a technique called phacoemulsification to dismantle and extract your old lens before implanting your new IOL.

Table of Contents

Cost

Cataract surgery is usually safe and yields excellent results; however, as with any medical procedure it may incur costs associated with it. Before making your decision to have cataract surgery performed or not, be sure to discuss with your eye doctor the total costs involved before making a final decision on it.

Many private health and medical insurers consider cataract surgery to be medically necessary, meaning most out-of-pocket expenses will usually be covered. This could vary based on your particular insurance plan as well as personal preferences regarding what kind of intraocular lens (IOL) implant you select for surgery.

Medicare beneficiaries typically qualify for cataract surgery under Part B of their program, although their Part B deductible will apply. Many individuals also purchase separate Medicare supplement insurance policies (often known by its acronym “Medigap”) to cover any out-of-pocket expenses and copayments related to cataract surgery.

Preparation

Step one of preparing for cataract surgery involves scheduling an initial consultation with an eye doctor, who will perform tests to assess your vision and ascertain your eligibility for surgery. They will also discuss available lens implant options as well as desired results with you.

They will ask about your medical history and medications; some could cause bleeding during or before the procedure, so they may suggest discontinuing certain ones beforehand or afterwards.

As your surgery will likely be performed as day surgery under local anaesthetic, it’s best to wear loose-fitting clothes and flat shoes on your day of surgery. Please also avoid perfume, aftershave, spray-on deodorant and hairspray before your appointment and remove contact lenses prior to removal. Most procedures take between 45 minutes to an hour.

Procedure

An individual will remain awake during cataract surgery, yet will feel no discomfort from anesthesia administered by their surgeon. After making a small incision in the eye, a laser or ultrasound device is used to break apart and then suction away fragments of cataract. Finally, they insert a clear plastic lens for protection of vision.

Cataract surgery can help people see clearly without glasses or contact lenses, though prior consultation with a physician is crucial to the process. They will explain both risks and benefits associated with cataract surgery as well as perform tests to identify which implantable lens (IOL) would work best with your vision.

After surgery, individuals should refrain from engaging in strenuous activity and should sleep on the side that was operated on. Furthermore, activities which may cause their lens to become dislodged should also be avoided.

Recovery

After surgery, you may experience some pain and tearing, along with possible discomfort from any grains of sand inside your eye that appear gritty at first but eventually go away over time as your eye heals. Be sure to follow any doctor-prescribed eye drops or pain relievers such as oral tablets as directed. Also avoid rubbing your eyes or disturbing the site of surgery by rubbing, touching, agitating, or otherwise manipulating it in any way; in particular lifting heavy objects or bending over for extended periods will increase blood pressure significantly.

Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments with your eye surgeon so they can monitor and make any necessary adjustments to your recovery from cataract surgery. Although most patients recover within a month, everyone’s body and healing processes differ, which is why planning ahead for recovery from cataract surgery can help ensure you know what steps to take for a speedier journey back.