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A cataract is a cloudiness in the eye's natural crystalline lens. It causes hazy or cloudy vision interfering with reading, driving and a host of other visual needs and hobbies. While cataracts most commonly develop as a result of the normal aging process, they are also common in association with many disease processes including diabetes and exposure to certain medications such as steroids or prednisone. With modern cataract surgery, vision rehabilitation has become generally safe and routine.
During your cataract consultation, Dr. LeMasters will perform a comprehensive medical eye exam and inventory of your visual needs and disabilities. This exam will assist in determining the advisability as to whether cataract surgery is necessary to improve your vision.
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Clear Crystalline Lens |
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Cataractous Lens |
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Cataract removal is elective surgery and ultimately the patient's choice. A thorough review of your treatment options, risks and benefits will be discussed with you.
Should you choose to go forward with surgery, Dr. LeMasters' expert staff will coordinate the scheduling for your procedure at a time most convenient to you. Dr. LeMasters performs his eye surgeries at the out-patient departments at the Evangelical Ambulatory Surgery Center, the Sunbury Community Hospital and Outpatient Center, and the Shamokin Area Community Hospital utilizing state of the art equipment.
In preparation for surgery, you will return to the office where one of the doctor's experienced ophthalmic technicians will perform precise measurements of your eye utilizing both an A-Scan ultrasound and state-of -the-art Zeiss IOL Master. These technologies assist the doctor in the selection of the intraocular lens implant power and style to optimize your surgical outcome.
A brief visit to the surgical facility, referred to as Pre-Admission-Testing, is necessary for an interview with the anesthesia staff. These individuals are responsible for monitoring you during your surgery in order to assure your safety. They will review your medical history, often perform some simple blood tests and an electrocardiogram and as necessary communicate with your family physician. The anesthesia staff will advise you which of your medicines, if any, to take the morning of surgery. Occasionally, a preoperative consultation with your attending physician will also be necessary.
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Intraocular Lens Implant IOL |
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On the morning of your surgery, you will be greeted by the pleasant and capable nursing staff of the same day surgery unit, who will prepare you for your surgery. Antibiotic and dilating eye drops will be administered. A mild sedative is routinely given for the patient's comfort.
At the outset of your surgery a nurse anesthetist will administer an intravenous sedative that will briefly put you to sleep allowing Dr. LeMasters to anesthetize the eye. During the actual surgery you will be awake, but very relaxed and unaware of anything being done to the eye. Cataract surgery is painless and remarkably brief lasting only about 15 minutes. For your comfort, a dressing is often applied overnight until the following day's office visit.
Healing is rapid and restrictions are minimal during the first week. Eye drop administration is usually at the rate of 4 times per day for the 1st week and twice daily for the following month. Patients are back to full activity at one week and are ready for an update in glasses if necessary at four to six weeks.
Dr. LeMasters is highly skilled in performing the procedure of phacoemulsification. This procedure entails fracturing the cataract with an ultrasonically driven vibrating probe and aspirating the resultant particle emulsion. The clouded lens is then replaced by a small intraocular lens implant. The entire procedure is accomplished through a tiny self-sealing 3 millimeter incision requiring no sutures! This revolutionary technique has become the standard of care for all ophthalmic surgeons.
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