Eye Surgery
Is your blurry vision preventing you from enjoying your favorite activities? Affecting more than 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40, cataracts are an extremely common condition — and thankfully, surgical intervention can correct them, restoring your eyesight and allowing you to see clearly and enjoy your life once again .
What procedures are available?
Cataract surgery is available at Hammond-Henry Hospital from Dr. Carlton Fenzl, MD. This procedure involves the removal of cataracts — i.e., clouded portions of the eye’s lens — using minor incisions with a blade or laser that allow the surgeon to reach the affected area using tiny instruments. Once a cataract has been broken up and removed from the eye, a new, artificial lens is put in its place. Click here for an indepth look into the procedure and to also see lens options.
How long do procedures usually last?
Cataract surgeries usually take less than 10 minutes.
How can eye surgery improve my quality of life?
At Hammond-Henry Hospital, we often find patients have problems driving at night, reading street signs, seeing fine print, and watching TV. Most likely, these will all be improved with cataract surgery. Blurry vision limits what people can do as well as what they want to do. This procedure helps patients get back to doing the things they enjoy.
What are the risks of these procedures?
Generally, cataract surgeries carry a 98% success rate. However, as with any surgery, some risks are present. These include but are not limited to:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Scarring
- Loss of vision
- Need for additional surgery
What does the surgery and recovery process typically entail?
The typical process entails checking in with the nurse, then changing into a gown and getting vitals checked. The doctor will then discuss the procedure and you will be brought back to the operating room. Next, an IV will be inserted to administer the anesthesia and relaxation medication.
During recovery, you’ll go home with the eye open — patches are not necessary. The eye will initially be blurry and will typically clear up over a period of one to three days. You will need to limit activity the most during the first week of recovery. This includes minimizing bending and lifting more than 25 pounds. You should also keep water and particles out of the eye during that time. After about two weeks, you may return to almost all activities. A complete list is provided at the consultation.
How should patients prepare before surgery?
Before surgery, you will be given specific directions to prepare the eye up to a week before surgery. You may need to take drops and should keep the eye clean. You will also need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from surgery as you will be given anesthesia.
About Dr. Carlton Fenzl
Carlton Fenzl, M.D. has been a practicing ophthalmologist since 2015. He graduated from Villanova University in Villanova, PA, and received his medical degree from Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Fenzl completed his ophthalmology residency at New York Medical College/Jamaica Hospital in New York, NY, and served a fellowship in cornea and refractive surgery at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT. He is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the Cornea Society, and the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Dr. Fenzl’s clinical interests include cataract surgery, cornea transplants, medical treatment of cornea disease, and medical treatment of retina disease. He is a partner of the Eye Surgeons Associates.