Cataract surgery is a painless, 20-minute outpatient procedure. Eye drops are used to dilate your pupil beginning one hour before the surgery. The dilation will enlarge the pupil, so that Doctor Murphy can remove the cataract easily. Immediately before the cataract surgery, anesthetic drops will be given to numb the eye. You will also be given a sedative to keep you relaxed and comfortable.
During the cataract surgery, Doctor Murphy makes a small incision at the edge of the cornea. A small ultrasound instrument is then inserted into the eye to break up, and vacuum out the cataract. The intraocular lens, also called the IOL, is then implanted into the eye. The incision is self-sealing, and does not require stitches. The result of the surgery is that the cloudy lens, or cataract, is removed, and replaced with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The IOL will allow you to see clearly again.
