There’s only one way to treat cataracts – surgery. Though traditional cataract surgery has helped millions of people get clear vision, the robotic procedure happens to be more precise, accurate, faster, and less invasive, making it a more preferable option.
So, as you have landed on this blog, it is evident that you are also considering robotic cataract surgery. To help you make an informed decision, we’ll discuss the entire procedure, starting from preparation to aftercare, so that when you come to the OT, you are comfortable and relaxed.
What is Robotic Cataract Surgery?
Robotic cataract surgery is an advanced procedure where your surgeon, with the help of AI-driven robotic systems, removes the cataract in your eye and places an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The robotic system in this procedure helps the surgeon to make precise incisions and ensure highly accurate IOL alignment for improved vision quality. This precision reduces tissue trauma, which further leads to a painless experience and also faster recovery.
What Happens Before the Surgery?
The doctor first calls you for an initial check-up where your overall health, cataract density, and presence of other complexities, like diabetes, or any eye disease, are checked. Also, natural curvature of your eyes is measured, and which IOL would suit your vision needs is determined.
This screening data is then fed into the robotic system, which will help your surgeon pre-plan the surgery, maintain precision, ensure alignment, etc.
Now, as a patient, you may be asked to take some precautions like:
- Avoid certain medications
- Stop wearing eye makeup
- Use prescribed eye drops, etc.
Remember, what precautions you should take is something your surgeon decides. Therefore, it’s important to inform them about any medications you take, health issues you have, your lifestyle, etc. It’ll not only result in a smooth surgery but also a hassle-free recovery.
What Happens During Robotic Cataract Surgery?
Here’s how robotic cataract surgery is done:
Local Anaesthesia: You’ll receive local anaesthesia, which is in the form of numbing eye drops. You stay completely conscious during the surgery but feel no pain.
3D Mapping: The Callisto system creates a 3D imaging of your eyes that helps your surgeon preplan the incisions and alignment.
Laser-Assisted Incisions: After that, your surgeon, with the help of a robotic femtosecond laser, makes minimal incisions in the cornea to remove the cataract.
Cataract Removal: The cataract is removed with the same laser. The laser softens the cataract and breaks it into small pieces, which are then removed.
IOL Placement: At last, your surgeon, assisted by the robotic system, places an IOL in your eye.
The entire process takes hardly 15-20 minutes. After a brief monitoring, you’ll be discharged.
How Does it Feel After the Surgery?
You may feel mild discomfort in your eyes for some time after the surgery. The doctor will give you protective eyewear and also eye drops that you need to use for a few weeks. Your vision gets clear within 24-48 hours, and after that, you can go on with your daily activities. However, certain dos and don’ts will be there for a few weeks, like:
- Avoiding eye makeup or cleansers
- Don’t let water get in your eye
- No touching or rubbing the eye
- Wearing glasses when outside
- Avoiding heavy-lifting
- Not missing follow-ups, etc.
Conclusion:
So, is there anything that you think would be uncomfortable or inconvenient in this process? The goal of robotic cataract surgery is to provide precision with comfort, so that patients don’t fear surgery and don’t face any vision complications or infections afterwards.
If you or anyone in your circle is suffering from cataracts, you can consider robotic cataract surgery in Mohali, and we at Sohana Eye Hospital, will be there to support you right from the first visit to complete recovery.
