Cloudy vision caused by cataracts can be corrected with surgery.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye. It affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older people. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. A cataract can occur in either or both eyes. It cannot spread from one eye to the other. Common symptoms are:

  • Blurry vision
  • Colors that seem faded
  • Glare – headlights, lamps or sunlight may seem too bright
  • Halo around lights
  • Not being able to see well at night
  • Double vision
  • Frequent prescription changes in your eyewear
Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.

Source: NIH: National Eye Institute

Cataract surgery

What is a cataract?

Andrew Hendershot, MD, an ophthalmologist at Ohio State's Havener Eye Institute, explains exactly what a cataract is and when cataract surgery is appropriate.

Cataract surgery advancements

Amit Tandon, MD, an ophthalmologist at Ohio State's Havener Eye Institute, details the advancements of cataract surgery.

Surgery FAQ's

Surgery FAQ's

Do I need to do any tests before my surgery?

If it is required by the surgeon or the policy of the Outpatient Surgery Center (OSC), you may be required to have PREOPERATIVE CLEARANCE at the Outpatient Assessment Center (OPAC) at 2050 Kenny Road, 2nd floor (this appointment will be made by the surgery coordinator). This may be done by your primary care physician, but the OSC prefers an OPAC assessment. It is your responsibility to schedule the appointment with your primary care physician within 30 days of the date of surgery. The surgery coordinator will fax orders to your primary care physician once a fax number is provided.

Preoperative testing varies by the type of surgery, but may include History & Physical, Labwork, EKG, etc.

In addition, you will receive a phone call from a nurse with the OSC 1 week to 1 day prior to your surgery to do an over the phone health assessment.

Do I need to take any additional medication?

Please take any eye drops prescribed as directed by your physician. Prescriptions may have been electronically sent, so please check with your pharmacy. These drops will also be used after the surgery as well. If you should run out of your drops, please check with your pharmacy for a refill. Any questions about your drops should be directed to the main number 
614-293-8116 option 2 and leave a message for your surgeon's technician.

Will I need a driver?

You MUST have a responsible adult that you know bring you to the surgery, preferably stay in the facility or at least check in with you and provide a contact number, drive you home and drive you back
for your 1 day postoperative appointment.
 

How should I prepare for surgery?

It is important to follow these simple precautions before arriving:

• Do not eat or drink anything (including water, coffee, candy, gum or mints after midnight before your surgery. This includes medicines taken by mouth, unless you are instructed to do so by your           surgeon or anesthesiologist. You may brush your teeth, but do not swallow the water. It is important to have an empty stomach before your surgery.
• Do not smoke after 6 p.m. the night before your surgery.
• You may take a bath or shower the morning of your surgery.
• Wear casual, loose-fitting clothing.
• Do not wear makeup, nail polish or hair pins.
• Please leave jewelry and other valuables at home.
• Bring a storage case for contact lenses or glasses, as they cannot be worn during surgery.
• Limit the number of people bringing you to your appointment. Adult patients should be escorted by one adult.
• If you have a living will or durable power of attorney, please bring a copy of this document with you.
• Per hospital policy, please bring a photo ID, insurance card, and copay.

What can I expect the day of surgery?

What you can expect before, during, after surgery and at home.


Before Surgery

You should arrive at least one and a half hours prior to your surgery, or as directed by your surgeon's office or that surgery center. The OSU Surgery Center (OSC) opens at 6:15 a.m.  Check in at the reception desk. The OSC staff will complete your paperwork and ensure you are identified correctly for your procedure.

You will be taken to a private area where you will change into a hospital gown, your medical information will be reviewed for accuracy and an IV will be started.

There will be several care team members who will want to speak to you in preparation for surgery, including:

• Nurse
• Surgeon
• Anesthesia provider

Your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, pulse and oxygen level, will be monitored. 

Your family member or support person will have access to TV monitors located in the surgery center waiting area to track your progress in surgery and recovery.  It is important that your family member or support person stay in the facility during your surgical visit so we can find them if we need information or if a care team member needs to speak to him or her.

During Surgery

You will be taken back to the operating room from your private preparation area. The operating room staff will greet you and prepare you for surgery. We will ask you to confirm your identity and the procedure you are about to have. This is part of our patient safety practice to ensure you receive the appropriate treatment.

After Surgery

Once your surgery is complete, your surgeon will update your family member or support person. You will awaken in the recovery room. Managing your pain level is extremely important to us. We want to make sure you are comfortable. We will be asking you to rate your pain often, and we will closely monitor your pain levels while you are coming out of anesthesia.

You may be provided light nourishment when you awaken if permitted by your surgeon. We welcome your family member or support person to be with you as we review your discharge instructions, provide you with prescriptions and answer any of your questions before you go home. It is very important that your family member or support person be there for this step to help you with details since you may still be drowsy from the anesthesia.

After anesthesia, you should rest for 24 hours and clear your day. Do not drive, drink alcoholic beverages or make important decisions/ sign legal documents during this time.

At Home

If you have any concerns during the evening, please contact your surgeon. If you have any emergency needs, please go to the closest emergency department. A nurse from the Outpatient Surgery Center will call you the next business day to check on how you are feeling.

Our first concern is your recovery and any medical issues you may have. It is important to us that we provided you exceptional care. We encourage you to ask questions or share concerns when we call you.

 
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