Visit Tampa Bay Eye, learn more about Cataracts

Cataract Surgery Q&A

If cataracts interfere with your daily activities, cataract surgery is a safe, outpatient procedure that can dramatically improve your quality of life. Board-certified ophthalmologist and eye surgeon Sara Creekmore, DO, performs cataract surgery at Tampa Bay Eye in Lutz, Florida. To find out if cataract surgery is right for you, call the office or request an appointment online today.

What is cataract surgery?

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove a clouded lens from your eye and replace it with an artificial lens. The lens of your eye serves to bend light rays so you can see. Lenses are normally clear, but cataracts make them cloudy. The only way to remove a cataract is with surgery.

At Tampa Bay Eye, Dr. Creekmore specializes in sutureless cataract surgery. She uses micro-instruments to make clear corneal incisions so sutures usually aren’t needed.

When would I need cataract surgery?

You may be a candidate for cataract surgery if blurry vision from cataracts prevents you from doing the things you normally do, such as driving, working, and watching television. You may also have trouble preparing food, completing household tasks, and reading medication labels.

Fortunately, cataract surgery can increase your level of independence.

Dr. Creekmore may also recommend cataract surgery if a cataract prevents her from monitoring or treating another eye problem, such as macular degeneration. Cataracts can make it difficult to see the back of your eye.

What should I expect from cataract surgery?

First, Dr. Creekmore creates a customized surgical plan based on your unique biometrics and vision demands. She may use a painless ultrasound test to measure your eye’s size and shape. These measurements help her determine the best type of lens implant, called an intraocular lens (IOL).

At Tampa Bay Eye, Dr. Creekmore offers a variety of IOLs, including PanOptix® trifocal lenses by Alcon and enVista toric and monofocal lenses by Bausch + Lomb. She considers your lifestyle and goals when recommending the right IOL for you.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes an hour or less. You stay awake during surgery, but Dr. Creekmore numbs your eye with medication. She uses micro-instruments to make a tiny incision and remove the cloudy lens through a process called phacoemulsification.

Then, she inserts the IOL into the empty lens capsule. Sutures are rarely necessary, but you may need one or two to close the incision.

Your vision should improve within a few days after cataract surgery. Mild itching and discomfort are normal and should resolve within a couple of days. It’s important to avoid rubbing your eyes.

To learn more about cataract surgery, call Tampa Bay Eye, or request an appointment online today.