Cataract Surgery Specialist

Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma

Anand Bhatt, MD

Cataract and Glaucoma Surgeon serving Orange County located in North Tustin, Santa Ana, CA

If you’re one of the more than 24 million Americans with cataracts, you may be able to experience an improvement in your vision with cataract surgery. This minimally invasive procedure removes the cloudy dysfunctional lens from your eye and replaces it with an artificial clear lens which may be able to give you a fuller range of vision and/or correct visual distortion from astigmatism. At Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma in Santa Ana, California, Anand Bhatt, MD, performs cataract surgery on an outpatient basis without the need for a stitch or patch. Cataract surgery can also be performed with a femtosecond laser allowing for the correction of astigmatism and the use of less operative time and energy during surgery. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the office today.

714-541-4185

Cataract Surgery Q & A

What is cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that treats cataract-related vision loss. Cataracts cause the lens of your eye to become cloudy, resulting in blurred vision.

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and the most common surgery performed worldwide and usually well-tolerated. It’s generally pain-free and only takes about 15 minutes in the vast majority of cases.

How does cataract surgery work?

During cataract surgery, Dr. Bhatt removes the natural lens from your eye and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens. Prior to the procedure, he administers a local anesthetic to numb your eye.

Once the anesthesia sets in, Dr. Bhatt makes a small, self-sealing incision in the periphery of the cornea. He inserts a small, high-frequency ultrasound device through the incision which emits ultrasound waves that break up your cataract into small fragments. Then Dr. Bhatt suctions the pieces out using the ultrasound handpiece vacuum.

Afterward, he inserts an artificial lens behind your pupil into the capsular bag of your prior natural lens. At Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma, Dr. Bhatt offers several types of artificial lenses, including Symfony®, Vivity™, PanOptix®, and toric lenses to reduce your dependence on glasses afterward as much as possible.

Once finished with the surgery, Dr. Bhatt provides you with a protective eye shield that can be removed the same day and sends you home with a list of recovery instructions. Most eyes heal rapidly. If you have cataracts in both eyes, Dr. Bhatt recommends waiting two or three weeks between cataract procedures. That time gives your eye that was treated first the chance to heal.

How do I prepare for cataract surgery?

Before you undergo cataract surgery, Dr. Bhatt conducts a comprehensive eye exam to assess the health and condition of your eyes. He then orders a refraction test to determine if you’re nearsighted or farsighted. Afterward, Dr. Bhatt measures your eyes to determine the shape and size of the lens that will most benefit you.

Let Dr. Bhatt know about any medications or supplements you take regularly. Certain drugs may increase the risk of complications during surgery.

What is recovery like after cataract surgery?

Following cataract surgery, you wear a special pair of post-operative sunglasses. To ensure your safety, have a friend or family member available to drive you home.

During the first few weeks of recovery, you administer prescription eye drops a few times a day according to your preoperative instructions. When sleeping or napping, wear your protective eyeshield.

To speed up the healing process, Dr. Bhatt recommends avoiding the following for at least a week:

Lifting anything over 25 pounds
Strenuous exercise
Exposing your eye to water
Exposing your eye to dust, grime, or other contaminants

Make sure to attend each follow-up appointment and follow Dr. Bhatt’s instructions carefully.

To learn more about cataract surgery, request a consultation at Orange County Cataract and Glaucoma. Book online to schedule an appointment or call the office today.