How is cataract surgery performed?

Cataract surgery begins with two incisions in the eye. The cataract is scooped out and an implant replaces the natural lens. Learn more from Marian Macsai, MD, about cataract surgery.

Transcript

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At the end of surgery, we normally don't use any stitches, but lots of antibiotic drops

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on your eye with a protective shield. And then you go home. Use drops during the day.

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And come back and see me in the morning. [GENTLE MUSIC]

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Inside your eye, there's a lens. And as you age, the cataract-- the lens gets cloudy.

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So when we're doing cataract surgery, you come into the outpatient surgery center. We give you an IV, which gives you a little sedation.

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So you're sort of half asleep, half awake. We numb your eye with drops, make two tiny incisions.

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And the cataract's the shape of a plain chocolate M&M. So during surgery, we cut a hole in the front part of the M&M,

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scoop out all the chocolate, and then put an implant through one of those tiny little incisions, right into the shell of that M&M.

01:11

At the end of surgery, we normally don't use any stitches, put lots of antibiotic drops on your eye

01:19

with a protective shield. And then you go home. Use drops during the day. And come back and see me in the morning.