Cataract surgery #1 is over and done. It was a breeze, and oh so fascinating!
Lisa Twining drove me there and back, because patients aren’t allowed to drive home afterward or for the rest of the day following the procedure. We’r e supposed to lay low, relax and not lift much.
95% of the hour-long visit was preparation
The procedure itself just took five minutes, if that. There was zero pain or discomfort, which is what I was expecting and hoping for.
I entered the reception area and was given the medicated eyedrops and instructions for how to use them after I got home. From there, I was escorted to the prep room.
I spent 40 minutes of the time in there sitting in a recliner (unreclined) while the surgeon stopped by to introduce himself and his assistants stopped by to check my bloood pressure (109 over 56) and my temperature (98 degrees Fahrenheit) and to drop a series of eyedrops to enlarge the pupil and eye-numbing solutions into my left eye.
I spent the next five minutes while additional helpers prepared my eyeball for surgery. They washed it out with eye drops, spread gel-like goo just below and above the upper and lower lids so the device that held my eye open during the procedure would be comfortable.
All patients were asked if we wanted anti-anxiety drug help prior to the procedure
Every one of them within earshot of me said they did. I was feeling entirely relaxed so I declined the assist. I’m glad I did because now I have total recall of everything that happened, and I can assure you that the procedure isn’t worth even a moment of worry or anxiety.That said, not everyone can be as blase as I was about the idea of “eye surgery”, and it’s perfectly fine to ask for anti-anxiety med if you’re at all nervous. MOST people do.
I was led into the surgery area, which was downright chilly even though I had padded winter pants and a thick sweatshirt on. I asked for a blanket and got one.
The assistant there put a surgical drape over my face and cut out holes for my nose and mouth. Only the eye they’d be working on remained available; the other was covered by the drape.
The assistant attached a sticky part of the drape around my left eye and inserted the device that would hold it open. No pain or discomfort at all. Then she said she would be spraying eyewash into it intermittently so it wouldn’t dry out during the procedure.
The surgeon came in, sat down, and explained everything he was going to do before he did it. He said I might feel a little pinch or pressure when he opened the eye to flush out the cataract; I felt minor pressure — that was all. Then he used a supersonic tool that sounded like a wee megaphone-holding mosquito to flush out the cataract. No pain at all.
Next, he said he would insert the artifical lens and that I would feel some pressure as he did that and positioned it properly. No pain, no problem! By now I was just fascinated! He said the new lens might look a little halo-y or rainbow-y for a short time as he positioned it properly. Yep.
And then it was all over! The assistant peeled the sticky tape from around my eye and I sat up. They had me sit there for about five seconds to make sure I didn’t feel dizzy. I didn’t, so the assistant walked me out to meet Lisa after giving me a “care package” (standard eye drops, flyers, and a fabulous branded thermos with the name of the cataract and laser institute on it.)
Even though only one eye has been done so far, I can see colors and brightness again already. It’s going to be amazing to be able to see this well out of BOTH eyes in about ten days. Looking forward to it!
The people at this place are terrific. I highly recommend Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute in Tacoma if you’re local and need cataract surgery. It was a totally pleasant experience.
