A cataract occurs when the lens in the eye because cloudy throughout the aging process. It is a disease common to older people. Cataracts are neither contagious nor can they spread from one eye to the other. However, a person who has a cataract in one eye is highly likely to develop a cataract in the other eye. There are three basic procedures for the removal of cataracts: phacoemulsification, extracapsular cataract surgery, and intracapsular cataract surgery.
About a year ago my mother, Joyce, was told that she had a cataract in her right eye, but at that time she was not referred to a surgeon to have the cataract removed. My mother began being unable to see so she decided to go see an ophthalmologist in hopes of a second opinion. In September, Dr. Charles Sherrod III, advised my mother to have surgery because the cataract was very large and needed to be removed in order to regain her sight. At that time her extracapsular cataract surgery was scheduled for October 13, 2011.
We arrived at Freeman Hospital at approximately 1 p.m. yesterday afternoon. It was time for my mother to get prepared for her surgery. After we checked in at Admissions, we were directed to the surgery check-in desk. After checking in, we made our way back into the “prep” room to get ready for the event. A nurse came in and advised my mother to change into a hospital gown and she also checked my mother’s blood pressure. Another nurse walked in to administer the IV. Once these nurses were gone, the anesthesiologist came in to speak with my mother. A few years ago, my mother had a terrible reaction to the anesthetic she was given during her gallbladder surgery, so she wanted to make it clear to the anesthesiologist that she did not want to be overdosed with anesthetic. The anesthesiologist and Dr. Sherrod decided to numb my mom’s eye with a lubricant gel along with a very small dose of anesthetic into her IV instead of many shots around the eye. I could definitely tell that my mother was getting woozy.
Next, the nurses started a round of antibiotic drops to dilate my mother’s eye. About every ten minutes the nurses would then add another couple of drops to speed up the dilation process. Next, a nurse came in with a very funny looking tool. She placed the tool on my mom’s eye and the wrapped, what looked like a giant rubber band, around my mother’s head and then laid the end of it on my mom’s stomach. This tool reminded me of a non-digital blood pressure kit, only for the eyeball. My mom looked like she should have been in a Halloween movie.
Finally, it was time for her to go into the O.R. I was motioned out toward the waiting room. At that time, it was 3:30 p.m. and the preparation for surgery had taken around two hours to complete. I took a seat in the waiting room to work on my math homework. I just sat there waiting for this procedure to be over. At 4:10 p.m. my name was called and I was notified that I could go back into the recovery room to see my mom. I just could not believe that the surgery only lasted about an hour, when the “prep” time took twice as long. Dr. Sherrod said the procedure had went as planned and that my mom would be just fine with only a few stipulations, such as no driving, no lifting, no bending forward, etc… Needless to say, my mother won the "biggest and worst" cataract award. I was so happy that the procedure was over and my mom can finally see once again out of her right eye. This procedure was so intriguing. I think it is completely amazing how the technological advances have changed over the years. Our country will continue to make great advances in technology. Oh, what will they come up with next? Hopefully, shorter preparation time for surgery!
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