Okay, I have a weird reaction to that,... shudder tools in your eye. Sounds terrible! I hope you didn't have to be awake for it.
It's my understanding that the reason this type of surgery is usually done with the person awake is that there is a risk involving general anesthesia. During the surgery, there is always a possibility that the cranial nerves (3 & 5, I think) might crossfire from the insult. This would cause the heart rate to drop. Now, if the heart rate is already low, due to anesthesia, it could cause stoppage. At least that's the way I think I learned it in physiology class all those years ago.
My understanding is that you are not even sedated as you are for a colonoscopy. When I typed these reports, a good while back. They started by suturing the upper lid to the eyebrow and the lower lid to the cheekbone. They then put drops in the eye to dilate it. They use a scalpel to slice the eye open,(this is called a "stab wound") insert a needle and shoot in some viscous Xylocaine (some doctors didn't even use that). Then they sever the ligaments that hold your lens in place, crush it with forceps, suck out the pieces and insert a new, artificial lens. After ascertaining it is in the correct position, they suture your eyeball closed and patch you and send you home.
I think I'd rather go blind. I don't drive that much, anyway.
My understanding is that you are not even sedated as you are for a colonoscopy. When I typed these reports, a good while back. They started by suturing the upper lid to the eyebrow and the lower lid to the cheekbone. They then put drops in the eye to dilate it. They use a scalpel to slice the eye open,(this is called a "stab wound") insert a needle and shoot in some viscous Xylocaine (some doctors didn't even use that). Then they sever the ligaments that hold your lens in place, crush it with forceps, suck out the pieces and insert a new, artificial lens. After ascertaining it is in the correct position, they suture your eyeball closed and patch you and send you home.
I think I'd rather go blind. I don't drive that much, anyway.
WG
No no. They definitely use anesthesia and it's painless. The improvement in eyesight is well worth the process.
Cataract surgery usually is done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast and avoid drinking liquids, depending on the time of your surgery. Also, do not wear eye makeup on the day of surgery. Upon arrival at the facility, you will be given eye drops to dilate your pupils and perhaps a sedative to help you relax. A local or topical anesthetic will make the operation painless.
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The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your eye and head. Under an operating microscope, at least one small incision is made into the eye. The surgeon will then remove your cloudy lens (the cataract).
This procedure can be performed using an ultrasound-driven instrument that "sonically" breaks up the cataract (phacoemulsification) as it is suctioned (aspirated) out of the eye.
In another surgical method, special instruments are used to mechanically break up the cloudy lens into small pieces (phacofracture) and remove them directly from the eye through a small incision.
The surgeon will insert a plastic or silicone IOL inside the eye to replace the natural lens that was removed.
Most incisions used for cataract surgery are self-sealing. However, on occasion, incisions may need to be sutured. When stitches are used, they rarely need to be removed.
"Perhaps" given a sedative? How about a case of whiskey chased with Propofol?
Sounds all kinds of yuck, still.
Well, the sedative is quite a different issue than the anesthetic, which is a must because of patient reaction. Patient reaction also plays a big role in dental related anesthesia.
In case you're wondering how this ended up in the "humor" section, it was because of the very first post when I posted a "Veggie Tales" song. I had had the surgery and I wasn't doing anything so I posted a song about that which was just uproariously funny, at least to me who was a bit bored and slap happy at the time.
"Perhaps" given a sedative? How about a case of whiskey chased with Propofol?
Froggie, the posh words make it sound considerably less painful.
Such a simple procedure really.
A great blessing to us in "civilised" societies, but an absolute life saver in developing countries, where it means that essential family members can work to bring in a living for themselves and their dependents.
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teachmevp
So this horse walks into the bar; just joking, hope you are doing good with your eye.
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teachmevp
The doctor said, You got a cataract.
The Japanese patient said, I have got a catoract,
The doctor said, Yes, you got a cataract.
The Japanese patient said, No, I have a Lincoln Continental.
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Broken Arrow
Why thank you! I am, by the way!
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Gen-2
Okay, I have a weird reaction to that,... shudder tools in your eye. Sounds terrible! I hope you didn't have to be awake for it.
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waysider
It's my understanding that the reason this type of surgery is usually done with the person awake is that there is a risk involving general anesthesia. During the surgery, there is always a possibility that the cranial nerves (3 & 5, I think) might crossfire from the insult. This would cause the heart rate to drop. Now, if the heart rate is already low, due to anesthesia, it could cause stoppage. At least that's the way I think I learned it in physiology class all those years ago.
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ex70sHouston
When they did my left eye I scared sh#$$#less. When it was over I was thinking whats the big deal.
The biggest differance was that colors look differant. I never knew that white was white.
For those of you who have not had the operation you won't understand what I just said.
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teachmevp
Be sure to stay out of the rain; take care.
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Broken Arrow
Absolutely correct! That is also my experience, and almost no pain at all.
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Kit Sober
Friend who had the surgery on both eyes now has vision he had given up on ever having.
Great blessing to him. Hope yours are so good.
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waysider
edit
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Watered Garden
My understanding is that you are not even sedated as you are for a colonoscopy. When I typed these reports, a good while back. They started by suturing the upper lid to the eyebrow and the lower lid to the cheekbone. They then put drops in the eye to dilate it. They use a scalpel to slice the eye open,(this is called a "stab wound") insert a needle and shoot in some viscous Xylocaine (some doctors didn't even use that). Then they sever the ligaments that hold your lens in place, crush it with forceps, suck out the pieces and insert a new, artificial lens. After ascertaining it is in the correct position, they suture your eyeball closed and patch you and send you home.
I think I'd rather go blind. I don't drive that much, anyway.
WG
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Broken Arrow
No no. They definitely use anesthesia and it's painless. The improvement in eyesight is well worth the process.
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waysider
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery usually is done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast and avoid drinking liquids, depending on the time of your surgery. Also, do not wear eye makeup on the day of surgery. Upon arrival at the facility, you will be given eye drops to dilate your pupils and perhaps a sedative to help you relax. A local or topical anesthetic will make the operation painless.
Get Adobe Flash player
If you can't see the video, you may need Flash Player.
(Click link to play this part)
The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your eye and head. Under an operating microscope, at least one small incision is made into the eye. The surgeon will then remove your cloudy lens (the cataract).
This procedure can be performed using an ultrasound-driven instrument that "sonically" breaks up the cataract (phacoemulsification) as it is suctioned (aspirated) out of the eye.
In another surgical method, special instruments are used to mechanically break up the cloudy lens into small pieces (phacofracture) and remove them directly from the eye through a small incision.
The surgeon will insert a plastic or silicone IOL inside the eye to replace the natural lens that was removed.
Most incisions used for cataract surgery are self-sealing. However, on occasion, incisions may need to be sutured. When stitches are used, they rarely need to be removed.
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/cataract-surgery.htm
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Watered Garden
"Perhaps" given a sedative? How about a case of whiskey chased with Propofol?
Sounds all kinds of yuck, still.
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waysider
Well, the sedative is quite a different issue than the anesthetic, which is a must because of patient reaction. Patient reaction also plays a big role in dental related anesthesia.
Paging Dr. Sudo! Paging Dr. Sudo!
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Broken Arrow
In case you're wondering how this ended up in the "humor" section, it was because of the very first post when I posted a "Veggie Tales" song. I had had the surgery and I wasn't doing anything so I posted a song about that which was just uproariously funny, at least to me who was a bit bored and slap happy at the time.
You've read too many medical journals.
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Twinky
WG, your explanation is terrifying.
Froggie, the posh words make it sound considerably less painful.
Such a simple procedure really.
A great blessing to us in "civilised" societies, but an absolute life saver in developing countries, where it means that essential family members can work to bring in a living for themselves and their dependents.
Developing country cataract success stories
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