SEATTLE — If you’ve been considering cataract surgery for yourself or a loved one, you should know the surgery and recovery are much different than in the past.
“Forty years ago, cataract surgery was a big endeavor,” said Dr. Luke Barker of SharpeVision. “Most patients were pretty scared of it. You were in the hospital for a couple of days afterwards. You had stitches in your eyeball, which sounds horrible. None of that happens anymore.”
The incision now for modern cataract surgery is so tiny you don’t need a stitch. It’s about the size of a third of a pinkie nail.
“You can recover very, very fast,” Dr. Barker said. “No time in the hospital. The next day you can usually drive, fly, see, cook and go about your normal stuff.”
Surgeons performing FLACS don’t use blades, needles or stitches for surgery. Lasers are used to create the tiny incision rather than a blade, which is used in traditional surgeries.
“That’s going to give you a more safe, accurate, precise surgery that’s going to last not only for a year, but for decades,” Dr. Barker said.
FLACS is beneficial and safe if you’ve had trauma to the eye, infections or diabetes because it allows for cookie cutter precision each surgery. A common misconception is that cataracts come back after surgery.
“Whether you’re 2 or 99, you get your cataract taken care of, and it’s gone for life,” Dr. Barker said.
The replacement modern intraocular lenses (IOL) you will get during surgery are more elaborate and dynamic than lenses of the past. You may also have a reduced need for glasses or contacts after surgery.
“We work with you to select the best lens for your needs, your anatomy, your hobbies, your occupation to make sure that your needs are met,” Dr. Barker said.
While vision changes are common as you age, it’s time to see a doctor about your cataracts if you’re experiencing changes that impede your daily life.
“If you’re having trouble driving at night, struggling more than you have in the past, noticing other people are seeing color different than you or you notice that you feel your glasses are dirty all the time, it’s probably time for cataract surgery.”
SharpeVision will be holding a virtual seminar on November 28 at 6 p.m. for potential patients to learn about premium cataract surgery and RLE. E-mail rsvp@sharpe-vision.com to learn more or visit the SharpeVision website.
Sponsored by SharpeVision Modern Lasik and Lens.
Segment Producer Suzie Wiley. Watch New Day Northwest at 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.