This YouTube patient-education video (created/uploaded by Kathryn Najafi MD) explains cataracts and laser-assisted (femtosecond) cataract surgery with insertion of a toric intraocular lens (IOL). It describes how cataracts form, the procedure steps (numbing with drops or injection, computer-guided laser to make corneal openings and soften the lens, instrument to break up and suction out the cloudy lens, and implantation of a permanent IOL), and postoperative protection. The video explains that a toric IOL corrects astigmatism (more oval eyes) to improve distance vision though reading glasses are often still needed. It lists possible general and toric-specific risks and side effects (infection, bleeding, swelling, retinal detachment, retained lens fragments, increased eye pressure, double vision, glare/halos, lens displacement) and closes with advice to ask your ophthalmologist about concerns.
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Cataract surgery is a very common procedure. This is when your eye surgeon removes the cloudy natural lens from your eye and replaces it with an artificial lens. Normally, the eye's lens is clear, allowing light rays to pass through and focus as they should on the retina. As a cataract forms, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. As light passes through this cloudy lens, it cannot focus clearly on the retina and objects look hazy or blurred. Cataract surgery is usually done as an outpatient procedure so you can go home afterwards. Your eyes will be numbed with either eye drops or an injection of medicine so that you don't feel any pain. During laser assisted cataract surgery, your ophthalmologist will use a laser instrument guided by a computer. The laser is used to make small openings in the side of your cornea. It is also used to soften the cloudy lens's hard cataract tissue. Then your eye surgeon will insert a pen shaped instrument through the opening to reach the lens. This instrument uses a special type of energy to break up the center of the cloudy lens. Then it will carefully suction out the lens pieces. Your surgeon will then insert an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or iol. This IOL will stain your eye permanently. The new lens lets light pass through and focus properly on the retina, bringing back clear vision. Once the IOL is in place, your ophthalmologist will close the incision and either with or without stitches, after surgery, a plastic shield may be placed over your eye to protect it. The lens you will have implanted is called a toric lens. This IOL is designed to correct the blurry or distorted vision caused by your astigmatism. Normally, eyes are round like a baseball. Eyes with astigmatism are more oval, shaped like a football. The toric lens helps focus light more effectively on the retina. A toric lens may significantly improve your distance vision. However, you will still need glasses for reading. As with any surgery, there are possible risks with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery risks may include infection in the eye, bleeding in the eye, swelling of the cornea, swelling of the retina, retinal detachment where the retina lifts up from the eye wall. People who are very nearsighted are more at risk for this. Pieces of the cloudy lens left inside the eye, increased pressure in the eye, drooping eyelid, seeing double, losing some or all of your vision and needing to have more surgery. The toric IOL may cause some side effects or problems. Experiencing more glare. Seeing halos or rings around lights at night, having vision that is less sharp, especially at night or in dim light continuing to have blurry vision still needing glasses for reading or distance vision seeing double or ghost images, seeing a black crescent shape in your side vision, having the lens move out of position and needing to have the lens replaced. The only way to remove a cataract is with surgery. You do not have to have the cataract removed. However, without surgery, your vision will probably continue to get worse each year. Millions of people find that cataract surgery improves their vision and their quality of life. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, ask your ophthalmologist. He or she will be happy to help you understand what to expect from cataract surgery. Also, if you have any questions or concerns about your eyes or your vision in general, don't hesitate to bring them up. Your ophthalmologist is committed to protecting your site.
