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Office Locations
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 Eye Surgery Center |
 Palm Desert |
39700 Bob Hope Dr |
 LaQuinta Laser Center |
 555 Tachevah Drive |
 Plaza Eye Fashions |
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Cataracts
How Are Cataracts Removed?
Many years ago, cataract surgery was a major operation, requiring a lengthy
hospital stay. Today, however, giant advances in medical technology have made
cataract surgery safe enough to perform through a hospital's outpatient department,
saving patients great expense and inconvenience. The vast majority of Dr.
Milauskas' cataract operations include the implantation of an intraocular
lens to replace the removed cataract.
Before Surgery
When your surgeon determines that you are a cadidate for Cataract Surgery,
a preoperative appointment will be scheduled for you. At this time, an ultrasonic
eye scan will finitely measure the length and curvature of your eye. Ths data
is then entered into a computer, which determines the exact power of the lens
needed for implantation. At this appointment, a surgical counselor who will
obtain your health history and provide preoperative instructions will also
interview you.
The Day of Surgery
Upon arrival to the Eye Surgery Center, you wil be greeted by a preoperative nurse who will ask you a few preliminary questions, have you sign a consent for surgery, and begin dilating the operative eye by applying multiple eye drops.
You will lie down on a stretcher and continuous monitoring of your vital signs will begin. An intravenous access line will be started and an anesthesiologist will administer intravenous sedation.Your eye will be anesthetized with local anesthesia.
You will be taken to the operating room for performance of your surgery. While veiwing your eye through an ophthtalmic microscope, your surgeon will make a tiny slit in the eye that will enable him/her to insert small instruments necessary for cataract removal and oomplant insertion.
The most modern method of removing a cataract is through the use of phacoemulsification. The phacoemulsifier is an ultrasonic probe that breaks up a cataract into microscopic pieces that are emulsified and gently aspirated out of the eye. This method of cataract removal is considered the least traumatic to the eye. A LASER will NOT be used for removal of your cataract.
Once the cataract has been removed, most patients opt to have a lens implant nserted. This lens implant is inserted through the incision, over the iris and into the center of the pupil in the same capsule that once housed the natural lens of the eye (that is, the cataract that was just removed). It may or may not be necessary for the incision to be closed with a suture. A patch and shield will be applied to the perative eye and you will return to the recovery room. You will remain in the recovery room for 15-30 minutes, during which time you wil be given fluids to drink and receive postoperative instructions. You must arrange transportation home fromt he Eye Surgery Center, as you will not be allowed to drive for at least 24 hours.
You are allowed to resume your normal diet upon returning home, with the understanding that alcoholic beverages are prohibited for the first 24 hours following surgery