The experienced doctors at Southside Eye Center are committed to improving our patients' eyesight as well as their quality of living. When cataracts develop, they can gradually rob you of your clear, crisp vision. Over time, you may feel that you must curtail your normal activities. As this time comes, it's important to know that you have options that can work very quickly and effectively to restore your vision.
Cataract removal is one of the most commonly performed eye procedures, and one that our doctors perform regularly. Understanding that traditional cataract removal can carry the burden of significant aftercare, we are excited to offer dropless cataract surgery at our Chesapeake, VA office. If you would like to know more about how we can help you address cataracts, contact us at 757-484-0101.
What is Drop-Less Cataract Surgery?
Typically, patients who undergo cataract removal have to apply eye drops for approximately one month after their procedure. The purpose of this post-op care is to prevent infection in the eye as it heals. Due to the number of eye drops used daily, this can feel more than a little inconvenient. It can also be costly. Dropless cataract surgery is an innovative technique in which the doctor inserts antibiotic medication into the eye during the surgical procedure, eliminating the need for eyedrop use during recovery.
What are the Advantages of Drop-Less Cataract Surgery?
Dropless cataract surgery is often explored due to the convenience that it brings to post-op care for cataract patients. According to studies, the chances of needing post-operative eye drops are reduced by 95 percent when antibiotic medication is applied intraoperatively. Additional advantages of the dropless cataract removal technique include an even lower risk of infection and a lower risk of side effects on the ocular surface caused by eye drops.
Are there Side Effects Associated with Drop-Less Cataract Surgery?
To eliminate the need for eye drops after cataract removal, the doctor administers TriMoxi into the vitreous space at the time of cataract removal. This combination of triamcinolone (steroid) and moxifloxacin (antibiotic) is a once-and-done alternative to the handful of prescription eye drops that have historically been needed after cataract removal. While safe and convenient, TriMoxi is not without potential side effects.
The side effects that are possible after dropless cataract surgery include the development of floaters, blurred vision, and cloudiness. In some cases, vision may become significantly blurry right after surgery. For this reason, your doctor may advise you to arrange to have someone drive you home from your cataract procedure. Blurred vision as well as floaters and clouding may last up to a few weeks but are expected to resolve as the eye heals.
A day or two after your dropless cataract removal, you'll return to the office for an eye exam. At this visit, your doctor will determine whether or not you may benefit from a short course of eye drop therapy.
Southside Eye Care proudly serves Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk and Virginia Beach Virginia as well as the surrounding areas. For more information on how we perform Drop-Less Cataract Surgery call us at 757-484-0101 today or fill out our contact form for more information.
