Disclaimer:

Augenzentrum Vista Alpina AG and the services provided by Augenzentrum Vista Alpina are not legally or otherwise affiliated with Vista Klinik AG, Laser Vista AG, Vista Klinik Net AG or Vista Diagnostics AG.

The surgery

Step 1: 

Local anaesthesia is applied to the eye using eye drops (anaesthetic eye drops). The surgery is then painless but the eye remains flexible.

To prevent uncontrolled eye movement, the patient must focus on a light spot. Very rare cases require local anaesthesia to the eye and the surrounding area by injection. In this case, the eye can no longer move freely.

Cataract surgery by Dr. med Kristof Vandekerckhove

Step 2: 

Eyes and eyelids are disinfected thoroughly and covered with a sterile cloth so only the eye being operated on is exposed. The eye is kept open during surgery using a light eyelid retractor. Vital functions (pulse, blood pressure) are monitored on a monitor for the brief duration of the surgery.

Step 3:

The lens is removed using an ultrasonic generator (phaco machine).

This only requires a very small incision of just over 2 mm to the corneal edge. The vibration of the fine tip of the phaco machine is activated.

The vibration gently releases the clouded lens from the capsular sack and after splitting it into small fragments, extracts it (phacoemulsification). The eye is constantly flushed with a sterile solution throughout the process.

Step 4:

The artificial lens is folded in half and guided inside the eye through the same opening/incision. There, the lens automatically unfolds and assumes the correct position in the capsular sack of the natural lens. The tiny incision on the corneal edge seals itself at the end of the surgery and therefore, sutures are typically not required.

Step 5:

To protect the eye against accidental touching, the patient gets a slightly tinted pair of glasses after the surgery.

After-care

After surgery a nurse takes you to the recovery room, where you can rest. The nurse will then guide you through further proceedings over a cup of coffee and a croissant.

Finally, you will receive your medication and an information sheet including an emergency number, where you can reach the surgeon.