Cataracts

Cataract Surgery with Premium Intraocular Lenses in Middletown KY

Being told that you have a cataract that will require surgery is frightening to many people. This is why Dr. Burns and his staff are ready to answer all of your questions about what a cataract is and how it is removed in order to make the experience a pleasant one. We will let you know everything that is going to happen before, during, and after the surgery so that there won’t be any surprises. We always feel that a well-informed patient will always have a better experience than a patient that is uninformed about what to expect.

Frank R Burns MD provides laser-assisted cataract surgery with premium intraocular lens implants and other treatment options at Middletown Eye Care for patients in Louisville, KY and surrounding areas.

Call Today for More Information – (502) 245-0305

One of the most important parts of cataract surgery is the preoperative evaluation. During your exam, Dr. Burns will do a thorough medical evaluation of the eye which will include dilation of the pupils. This is done in order to evaluate the severity of the cataract and to assess the eye for any other diseases which may be present, such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Once it has been determined that you require cataract surgery in order to improve your vision, Dr. Burns will provide a detailed explanation of how the surgery is performed and the risks and benefits of the surgery. At this point, he will also discuss the newest technologies available, such as the ReSTOR®, Tecnis Multifocal, and Symfony extended range of focus lens, to help restore near and far vision following cataract surgery. After this, an ophthalmic technician will perform preoperative measurements on your eyes in order to help Dr. Burns pick the correct intraocular lens for your eye. The technician will also schedule a date and time for your surgery and answer any final questions that you may have.

Dr. Burns and his staff are available to discuss any questions that you may have prior to your surgery, so please contact us or call 502.245.0305 if you have any questions.

Typically, you will need to arrive at the surgery center an hour to an hour and a half prior to your scheduled surgery. You will be examined by an anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist and an IV will be placed in your arm. Most patients will receive a mild sedative called Versed, in order to relax you. Your pupil will be dilated and anesthetized with eye drops in order for Dr. Burns to perform the surgery. Following this, you will be taken to the operating room and you will be prepped for surgery.

The surgery itself will take 10 to 20 minutes. During the surgery, Dr. Burns will give you simple instructions that are very easy to follow as you will be awake during the surgery. Some patients require more sedation during the surgery, and this will be determined by Dr. Burns. Most patients do not experience any sensation during the surgery, but occasionally, some patients may experience a feeling of pressure on the eye. This only lasts for a few seconds.

When the surgery is completed, you will be taken to the recovery area and given instructions on how to care for the eye after surgery. The eye will be covered by a clear plastic shield for protection. The shield is usually removed about three hours after the surgery.

See What Our Patients Are Saying:

“I have been seeing Dr. Burns for many years. Two years ago I had to have a cataract removed and a year ago another. Dr. Burns replaced my lenses with toric lenses and I couldn’t be happier. First time in my life, no glasses.”
-R. Asbury

You will be able to return home about half an hour after the surgery. You will start using eye drops the afternoon of the surgery and continue using them for about three weeks following the surgery. You will use one kind of antibiotic drops and two kinds of anti-inflammatory drops. The antibiotic drops are typically stopped after a week and the anti-inflammatory drops are continued for three weeks. You will wear the clear plastic shield over the eye at night for about four nights in order to protect the eye. You will need to avoid any heavy lifting for about a week, but otherwise most people can return to normal activities, including driving, the day after surgery. Postoperative visits at Dr. Burns’ office are usually at one day, one week, and three weeks after surgery.

Call Dr Frank Burns Today – (502) 245-0305

Cataract Surgery FAQs

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye. A cataract affects vision when it becomes dense enough to either scatter light entering the eye or prevents the lens from properly focusing on images.

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts are caused by a number of factors, but the primary cause of most cataracts is aging. Other causes include trauma, previous eye surgery such as retinal detachment repair, radiation exposure, poorly controlled diabetes, certain medications such as steroids, and certain congenital conditions. Rarely, infants can be born with cataracts or they can form in the first few years of life which will necessitate removal early in life.

How can I prevent cataracts?

While there are no known medical treatments that are known to prevent or reverse the formation of cataracts, it is generally thought that a healthy lifestyle in regard to diet and exercise will help prevent the early onset of cataracts. It is well known that cigarette smoking is linked to premature cataract formation, so the avoidance of smoking is highly recommended. Protecting the eyes from intense sunlight has also been shown to slow down the progression of cataracts. Therefore, it is recommended that patients protect their eyes from the sun by using high quality sunglasses with 100% UVA and UVB protection.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts typically cause problems with distance vision and night vision. Patients with significant cataracts have difficulty seeing objects at a distance, for example street signs, the scroll on the bottom of the television and following a golf ball. Night vision problems result from the scattering of light caused by the cataract; patients will often complain of difficulty driving at night due to glare in the form of starbursts and halos around headlights from oncoming traffic. Many patients will stop driving at night due to these glare symptoms. Cataracts usually do not cause problems with reading vision until they are very advanced.

How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?

Most people are able to return to work and driving the day after the surgery. The main activities that need to be avoided for the first week include heavy lifting, swimming and any sports activity that has the risk of being struck in the eye.

Is cataract surgery painful?

Most patients do not have any discomfort during surgery. Some patients have a pressure sensation in the during certain points of the surgery but it is not typically reported as painful. The most common sensation after the surgery is the sensation that there is something in the eye like an eyelash or a grain of sand. That sensation usually is gone by the next day.

Why am I noticing vision changes and glare at night?

The most common complaints of cataract changes are decreased vision and glare at night from oncoming headlights. If you are older than 60 and notice these changes, it is likely that you are experiencing cataract changes and are in need of a dilated eye exam. Contact our office and we will be able to schedule your exam.

How long will my surgery pre op appointment in your office take?

You need to allow at least 1 ½ hours. You will have measurements taken and will meet with Dr. Burns to discuss different artificial lens and surgery options.

Where does Dr Burns perform cataract surgery?

Dupont Surgery Center which is located at 4004 Dupont Circle here in Louisville KY.

How long will I be at the surgery center for cataract surgery?

Plan to be at the surgery center for 2-2 ½ hours.

How long does cataract surgery take?

The actual procedure takes around 15-20 minutes.

Do I have to undress for cataract surgery?

You do not usually have to undress. Please wear comfortable, loose fitting clothes.

Will I need someone to drive me when I have my cataract surgery?

Yes you will be given a mild sedative before and sometimes during surgery so you will not be allowed to drive yourself home.

What are the drops that I use for cataract surgery for?

One of them is an antibiotic (to prevent infection), one is a steroid drop and one is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drop (both the steroid and non-steroidal drops help to prevent swelling and inflammation).

If I am using more than one kind of drop; how long do I need to wait between drops?

We recommend waiting at least 10 minutes between drops in order to not dilute one drop with the other

Can I bend over and pick something up after I have my cataract surgery?

Bending over is not a problem, the main restriction after surgery is to avoid heavy lifting (over 20 pounds).

Can I wash my hair after cataract surgery?

Yes you can wash your hair, bath and shower. You need to make sure you do not get any soap or dirty water in the eye that you had surgery on.

How soon can I drive after cataract surgery?

Usually, the next day, but we recommend that if your vision has not cleared up enough by then, please have someone drive for you.

Can I take an airline flight during the first week following my cataract surgery?

Following cataract surgery, it is advised not to fly for at least a week after the procedure. You can resume normal activity and travel after that one week mark.

If I need new glasses after cataract surgery, when will I get them?

We usually give a new glasses prescription, if needed, at your 3 week (final) post op appointment.

Is cataract surgery covered by my insurance?

Yes, most insurances do cover the cost of traditional cataract surgery.

Monofocal IOLs are a traditional type of IOL that provides patients with only one focal point. Most commonly, these lenses only correct distant vision, although sometimes the patient wants their near vision to be corrected. This means that you will likely require glasses following surgery either for distance or near, and sometimes for both. The multifocal IOL differs from regular monofocal IOLs in that it focuses at distance and near, decreasing your dependency on glasses at all distances.

Insurance policies vary, but Medicare, supplemental insurance, and private insurance will typically still cover the basic cataract surgery procedure with a conventional, monofocal IOL. However, if you decide to have the multifocal IOL implanted, there will be an additional cost that is not covered by insurance or Medicare. Medicare now allows you to pay the difference for the added benefits of the multifocal IOL. This additional cost may be financed through CareCredit®, which can be set up through our office.
If you are interested in finding out more about the benefits of the multifocal IOL or in an explanation of your policy coverage, please contact us or call our office at (502) 245-0305.

This is a decision that you should reach only after a thorough discussion with Dr. Burns. You should consider all the risks and benefits of the IOL, and because of this, Dr. Burns always allows you plenty of time to make your decision. Very often he will not schedule your surgery at the time of your office visit in order to allow you to think it over at home and to discuss it with your family members. Frequently, certain activities in which you participate will help you make the decision. For example, if you do a lot of reading, and you don’t want the hassle of reading glasses anymore, the multifocal IOL may be an excellent choice for you. Whatever decision you make, Dr. Burns and his office staff will be ready to answer all of your questions regarding cataract surgery and your lens options. Please contact us or call (502) 245-0305 if you have any questions.