Pain. As human beings, we understandably avoid it whenever possible. Sometimes, however, the fear of pain is so powerful that even the possibility causes us to neglect important aspects of our health. Fear of painful recovery is one reason many people put off surgeries, including cataract surgery. But here’s a little secret…recovery from cataract surgery is often 100% pain-free.

Cataract surgery has come a long way in recent years, particularly with the advent of laser-assisted cataract surgical methods. With laser-assisted cataract surgery, recovery is generally pain-free, with few, if any side effects.

Here’s how it works…

You’ll start with a consultation with your ophthalmologist to evaluate the progression of your cataract symptoms. Together, you’ll decide if the time is right for surgery, and if traditional or laser-assisted surgery is right for you.

Assuming you opt for laser-assisted cataract surgery, you will arrive at the eye surgery center on your scheduled day and receive a local anesthetic. Inside the surgical suite, the doctor will use the laser-assisted surgery system to scan and map the details of your eye(s). The doctor then uses a laser to make a tiny, precise incision in the eye lens. The old cataract-affected lens is broken up and removed, and a new artificial lens implant is put back in its place. The entire procedure is completely pain-free and generally requires just 10-15 minutes.

Immediately after the procedure, nurses will make you comfortable in a recovery room. Then, typically after just 30-60 minutes, you are released for someone to drive you home. Many patients report improved vision before even leaving the surgery center.

Patients are generally recommended to wear an eye shield off-and-on for up to a few days. Common short-term side effects include some cloudy or blurred vision, and potentially some redness. The risk of more serious side effects is less than 0.5%, making cataract surgery one of the safest procedures in the country.

The really great news is cataract surgery is a permanent fix for cataracts. Your cataracts cannot come back.

So, if concerns about pain have prevented you from correcting your cataracts, fear no more. Contact Dr. Gregory Snodgrass at North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today to schedule your consultation.