Dr . Lee finishing a cataract surgery .
Members of Dr . Lee ' s surgical team , Donna Berry and Janet Knox with Aaron
Burch , center .
ultrasound waves to break the cataractous lens . The large pieces of cataract are removed , followed shortly by the tiny fragments that remain .
As the surgery is taking place , Dr . Lee is guiding both hands to repeatedly insert instruments and move about the eye . She is also working pedals with both feet to operate the microscope and control the strength of her instrument ’ s ultrasound . A three-person team consisting of a scrub technician , circulator and anesthesiologist is on hand to assist with medical tools , patient information and sedation respectively .
“ 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 .”
Once the patient ’ s eye is cleared of the cataractous lens , a corrective artificial lens is placed in its stead . Small legs on either end of the new lens keep it from moving once inserted . And as simple as that , the procedure is over .
With the surgery complete , the lights come back on and the patient is fitted with a protective cover for the eye , which they ’ ll wear for a few days as healing begins .
“ It ’ s a good time to be an ophthalmologist ,” Dr . Lee said , as we moved directly to the next patient . “ There have been so many improvements to the artificial lens , and we have machines that make small incisions which heal better . Those improvements help the patients have an overall better experience and make the doctors and staff look good .”
Movement throughout the surgery center was efficient and perpetual . Two surgeries were followed by a visit to the femtosecond surgical laser . This machine can make precise incisions in the cat 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 .
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 .
4 VITAL SIGNS Volume 12 • Issue 1