What happens if I blink during cataract surgery?
If you’re over 55 and have noticed that your vision is blurry or clouded, there’s a good chance you have cataracts. Cataracts are a prevalent effect of the ageing process. For example, one study found that over 50% of Australian participants between 49 and 96 had cataracts1Mitchell P, Cumming RG, Attebo K, Panchapakesan J. Prevalence of cataract in Australia: the Blue Mountains eye study. Ophthalmology. 1997 Apr;104(4):581-8. doi: 10.1016/s0161-6420(97)30266-8. PMID: 9111249..
If cataracts and poor vision affect your ability to complete daily tasks, it may be time to consider cataract surgery.
Suppose you’ve begun your cataract surgery research. In that case, you may have discovered by now that the surgery is performed on patients while they’re awake. Unfortunately, this often causes many to wonder what happens if you were to blink during cataract surgery.
In this article, we outline the cataract surgery procedure so you can stop worrying and get the clear vision you desire.
How does cataract eye surgery Work?
There are three types of cataract surgery: standard, lifestyle, and laser. While they have important differences in process and visual outcomes, they all follow a fairly similar process.
A cataract develops when the lens in your eye, which is normally clear, becomes foggy due to a protein buildup. The only way to treat a cataract and restore clear vision is to remove it with surgery.
In standard and lifestyle cataract surgery, we use a scalpel to make a small incision and remove the defective lens from the eye. Laser cataract surgery uses a computer-guided laser to make precise incisions to accomplish the same task.
Next, we insert an artificial lens into your eye. There are several different types of replacement lenses. These range from standard monofocal lenses to advanced multifocal lenses.
Monofocal lenses are set to focus either at a distance or near and require you to wear glasses. In comparison, multifocal lenses allow you to see clearly at a range of distances and can eliminate the need for glasses for most tasks.
Cataract surgery recovery time is generally short, with many patients able to resume normal tasks one day after surgery.
What happens if I blink during cataract surgery?
You may be worried that it’s possible to blink during surgery which could affect the outcome. Fortunately, we take precautions to ensure that this doesn’t happen.
We will give you a light sedative so you can relax during the surgery. Then, we apply a local numbing agent to the eye so that you don’t feel anything and are less inclined to blink. We will then fit a special device that prevents your eyelids from moving while we apply the laser. Some involuntary movement is not a problem. The laser has a powerful tracking system to follow your eye. It will stop if it detects any movement and will pick up exactly where it left off.
Getting an appointment
Now that you know that blinking during cataract surgery is nothing to worry about, you can take the first step to restore your vision. Please book a consultation today, and our experienced team of eye specialists will help you determine the best cataract surgery procedure for your lifestyle.
Life’s too short to put up with blurry vision. Safe and effective cataract surgery can improve your quality of life for years to come.
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"Very friendly and professional staff. Dr Russell is extremely informative and has a really positive presence. The doctor and all of the staff ensured all my questions were answered fully. I left the surgery feeling as if I’d been really well cared for."
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About Brisbane’s Eye Specialist
A specialist ophthalmic micro surgeon, internationally trained retinal surgeon, medical retinal diseases specialist and cataract surgeon
Dr Matthew Russell, MBChB, FRANZCO
Brisbane Eye Surgeon
With a career that spans over 15 years, I have mastered the ability to achieve results that help patients regain their confidence and youthful energy.
When it comes to restoring the eye’s function, there is a world of choice available that most people miss. It is my responsibility as a specialist ophthalmic surgeon, to help you avoid the agonising anxiety and regret that comes with not knowing all your options.
I believe your lifestyle should dictate your vision, not the other way around. It’s my personal goal to align your vision with your lifestyle so that you can conquer life’s challenges and remain the version of yourself you most want to be.
Let me help you get your life back.
