COVID-19 continues affecting lives around the world and right here in Gainesville and North Florida. While coronavirus concerns understandably cause many to weigh the benefits before venturing away from home, most people have found some comfort level in proceeding with life’s necessary activities. Among these are elective surgeries, including cataract surgery.
After a brief prohibition in the spring, Florida allowed ophthalmologists to again provide elective eye surgery procedures starting in May of this year, reopening the door for thousands of patients to see clearly thanks to cataract surgery. Of course, this came with a requirement for practices to follow more stringent precautions to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
At North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care, we implemented a series of COVID-19 protocols to maximize patient and staff safety at our practice locations and our surgery center, including:
- Spacing out and staggering appointments to limit waiting room occupancy
- Asking each patient to wear a mask throughout his or her appointment
- Asking that accompanying drivers remain in their cars during appointments, or we will help patients call their drivers to return following their appointments
These precautions have allowed us to continually deliver services to patients since the state’s prohibition was lifted.
When it comes to the procedure itself, cataract surgery is recognized as being safe and effective. In fact, it’s one of the most common medical procedures performed in the world. And laser-assisted cataract surgery offers more precision and less eye trauma, resulting in faster recovery and fewer complications.
When considering whether now is the right time for you or a loved one to get cataract surgery, the decision often comes down to quality of life. Have the cataracts progressed to the point where you can no longer enjoy the activities you love most – reading, watching TV, driving, enjoying sporting events or just seeing a loved one’s face clearly? If so, it might be the right time to proceed.
A 2012 study of cataract surgery patients concluded that cataract surgery, “greatly improved quality of life and was highly cost effective.” In fact, that study identified a 36.2% improvement in quality of life resulting from cataract surgery.
To explore your cataract surgery options, or learn more about our practice’s coronavirus safety measures, contact North Florida Cataract Specialists and Vision Care today at 352-373-4300.