aractous lens and corrects astigmatism , which depends on perfect centration and alignment of the intraocular lens . Prior to surgery , each patient ’ s eye has been measured using optical biometry , accurate to within a 100 th of a millimeter , allowing for selection of the appropriate lens implant power by using complex mathematical formulas .
The patient lies perfectly still beneath the laser , which performs its function in less than a minute ’ s time . Then the patient is sedated for surgery , and it ’ s just a few moments until Dr . Lee will see them again .
“ A successful surgery requires dexterity from the physician , but it also takes a good team ,” Dr . Lee explained . “ You have to have a good crew of experienced technicians nearby .”
In a room adjacent to the femtosecond laser are the patients who ’ ve just come from surgery . Dr . Lee makes sure to visit each patient before they leave for that day , quickly going over the essentials : A recap of the procedure , tips for recovery to both the patient and a loved one if present , directions on medication and a reminder of tomorrow ’ s check-up .
Dr . Lee was pleasant and attentive , making sure each patient was mentally prepared for the recovery process and touching on individual issues before saying goodbye for the morning . the process and cared for by attentive nurses from start to finish .
My last surgery of the day was the most interesting . As an incision was made in the patient ’ s eye , the iris began to stick to the instrument and come out . It was quite strange to see the blue of the patient ’ s eye essentially forming a tear drop as it tried to escape from the incision .
To their credit , Dr . Lee and her team reacted to this new challenge without hesitation . The procedure was put on hold as they found the stabilizing ring necessary to hold the iris in place . It was inserted into the eye and the surgery continued as planned . Once the cataract had been removed and the artificial lens placed , the final step was to now remove the ring used to hold the iris in place .
The extra instrument added a new layer of difficulty to the standard procedure , but the staff handled it with resolve . Afterwards , Dr . Lee was relieved that the aberration had not caused any complications .
“ It took a little longer because you have to stop and get the iris under control , but the procedure turned out fine . There should be no complications , just a little additional redness ,” said Dr . Lee , noting that “ the name of that issue is ‘ intraoperative floppy iris syndrome .’ We see that a lot with patients who are taking certain medications which make the iris stickier , but it ’ s nothing we can ’ t handle .”
With the sticky iris providing some last-minute added drama , my time shadowing Dr . Lee came to a close . It was a literally eye-opening experience and truly unlike anything I ’ ve seen before . I ’ d like to thank Dr . Lee and her staff for being so welcoming and allowing a layperson see the very fascinating world of cataract surgery . With estimates from the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery saying 3 million cataract procedures take place each year in the United States , my mind is at ease that if I or a loved one ever need the procedure , care will be given both swiftly and professionally .
Aaron Burch is the communications specialist for the Greater Louisville Medical Society .
“ I like to see everyone the day after surgery , then a week , then a month . If there ’ s any problem , I see them more often . I also call them at home the night of the surgery just to see how they ’ re doing ,” she said . “ Complications are pretty rare for cataract surgery , about one out of every 5,000 . But we always check for pressure , infection and bleeding just to be safe .”
So the morning surgical routine went : surgery to surgery to laser to recovery and repeat . Each patient was moved smoothly through
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