Discover an Alternative to Traditional Cataract Surgery
Dropless Cataracts Surgery in Cheyenne, Wyoming
Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgery Center is one the most trusted optometrists’ clinics serving patients throughout Cheyenne, Wyoming, and the surrounding communities. Our team of professionals, led by our doctors, provides comprehensive eye care for children and adults. As the most highly-trained and experienced team of optometrists in the area, you can always expect the very best results. We utilize the latest medical technology and procedures to deliver exceptional results for our patients. Cataracts are one of the most common conditions that we treat. Dropless cataract surgery provides our patients with all the benefits of traditional cataract surgery without post-procedure eye drops. Learn more about how cataracts may be affecting your vision and discover if dropless cataract surgery is right for you.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a common condition that affects nearly 2.4 million Americans. As the proteins in fibers in the lens start to break down, it can create a cloudy effect in the eye’s usually clear lens. Many patients may not notice the obstruction of their vision at first. However, as they continue to age, their vision will worsen. Cataracts can have a significant impact on your life and make it difficult to read, drive a car safely, and watch television. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in older adults in the country. Fortunately, there have been multiple advancements in cataract surgery to help restore your vision.
What Is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is the process in which our optometrists remove the cloudy eye lens with an artificial lens. It is a fast and safe outpatient procedure completed in our state-of-the-art clinic using innovative technology. Most patients who complete the surgery will notice improved vision in as little as a few days. After about eight weeks, your eyes should be completely healed. And you’ll enjoy clear vision.
What Are the Benefits of Dropless Cataract Surgery?
It’s crucial to know the post-operation process of traditional cataract surgery to understand the benefits of dropless cataract surgery. After traditional cataracts surgery, the patient is required to administer antibiotics and steroid eye drops to help prevent infection and reduce inflammation. However, with dropless cataracts surgery, your optometrist will administer the antibiotic and steroid medications during the procedure. There are multiple benefits to choosing dropless cataract surgery, including:
- Lower Costs – In traditional cataract surgery, eye drops must be administered over the course of months to aid in recovery. Unfortunately, the patient’s insurance plan may not cover prescription eye drops. Eye drops can lead to high out-of-pocket costs for many of our patients. However, dropless cataract surgery doesn’t require eyedrops for recovery.
- Reduced Infections – Many extensive studies have shown a decrease in post-operative eye infections when antibiotics are administered in the eye at the time of cataract surgery compared with topical antibiotic drops.
- Convenience – When you choose dropless cataract surgery, you won’t have to worry about applying eye drops daily. Prescription drops can irritate the eyes and cause vision to fluctuate. Traditionally, patients’ taper drops over a month. It can be difficult to remember the schedule because one eye is often taking drops with a different frequency than the other eye. Instead, the medications are administered during the time of the procedure.
Are There Any Specific Risks to Dropless Cataract Surgery?
On the first day after dropless cataract surgery, you may experience swelling in your eye. Additionally, the steroid injection in the subconjunctival tissue is seen as a white spot underneath your lower eyelid. The area dissolves over the course of 3-4 months as the medication is absorbed. Steroid medication can cause intraocular pressure to rise in a minimal number of patients. There is a very low risk that if the pressure increases and cannot be controlled with topical medication, we would need to remove the steroid with a minor procedure. However, a procedure to remove the steroid would be a very rare event. Sometimes, a small blood vessel can break from the injection and leave a red spot if the patient takes blood thinners. However, the red area will clear up over time and is harmless to the eye.
How Long Is the Recovery Time for Dropless Cataract Surgery?
The recovery time for dropless cataract surgery is the same as cataract surgery with drops. Most patients will notice an improvement in their vision in as little as a few days. Complete recovery occurs in a total of about eight weeks.
Does Insurance Cover Dropless Cataract Surgery?
As one of the most common causes of blindness in adults and seniors, you’ll be happy to know that many health insurance companies cover dropless cataract surgery. Before your procedure, it’s crucial that you speak with your insurance agent to find out the specific coverage amount. Our team is always here to answer any questions you may have about our dropless cataract surgery.
Am I the Right Candidate for Dropless Cataract Surgery?
While most patients are good candidates for dropless cataract surgery, it may not be suitable for everyone. Your doctor will have a discussion with you on a case-by-case basis. Patients with minor vision loss may not require cataract surgery. It becomes medically necessary when you’re experiencing vision loss that reduces your quality of life. Dropless cataract surgery may not be right for patients who have lost their vision due to other conditions.
Schedule Your Dropless Cataracts Surgery Today
The team of doctors at Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgery Center utilizes the most innovative technology to deliver the very best results. Dropless cataract surgery is a safe way to improve your vision. We use general anesthesia to help alleviate pain during the procedure. Most of our patients experience only minor discomfort after the surgery. We’ve completed numerous dropless cataract surgeries with exceptional results. Contact our office today to see if dropless cataract surgery is right for you.