Refractive Cataract Surgery

During refractive cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens inside the eye is removed and replaced with a customized artificial lens that can restore vision and decrease dependence on glasses or contact lenses.

After the pupil is dilated, and the area in and around the eye is numbed with anesthesia, a tiny incision is made to insert an ultrasonic probe. The probe emulsifies (breaks up) the cloudy lens into tiny pieces that are then suctioned out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, an artificial lens is implanted. The new lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), is inserted through the original incision. 

Surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis in a doctor's office, takes only 15-20  minutes, and is relatively painless. Our goal is to help improve your vision using state-of-the-art surgical technology including the latest in intraocular lenses. We personalize your treatment to best suit your prescription, lifestyle, and visual needs/goals.

Cataract surgery has many benefits to greatly enhance quality of life. They include the following:

• Improved quality of vision (sharper images, brighter colors)
• Less difficulty with routine tasks (particularly night driving)
• Decreased dependency on eyeglasses
• Greater independence, regardless of age or disability
• Greater safety

Research indicates that the improved vision provided by cataract surgery reduces the risk of falls, making exercise, sports and hobbies safer. This, combined with the improved ability to read, recognize faces, and perform everyday activities with greater ease, results in improved physical health, increased sociability and longer life expectancy.

What are the risks of Cataract Surgery?

Although cataract surgery is a common procedure and considered quite safe, any surgery poses risks. In the case of cataract surgery, there is a slightly increased risk of retinal detachment, a painless but dangerous condition. Other risks of cataract surgery include bleeding and infection. The risk of complications after cataract surgery is greater if the patient has another eye disease or serious medical condition. Danger signs of complications after cataract surgery include increased pain or redness of the eye, light flashes or floaters, diminished vision, nausea, vomiting or intense coughing.

What is the recovery process after Refractive Cataract Surgery?

Surgery is typically completed without using any stitches because the small incisions are designed to be self-healing. After surgery, it is recommended to wear eye protection, even when sleeping, for 2 weeks. Vision will be blurred for the first few days, with gradual improvement over the first 1-2 months. It is expected to experience irritation, glare, haloes, and light sensitivity during the initial healing phase. Colours may appear brighter and less dull after surgery. It is important to not rub or exert pressure on the treated eye. Heavy lifting or strenous activity should be avoided. Eye drops to prevent inflammation and infection are prescribed.

Even though full healing can take up to 2 months, because cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, daily activities can be resumed in a few days. If the other eye also has a cataract, which is usually the case, the second surgery is scheduled a month or two after the first.