Cataract Surgery at Eye Centers of Tennessee

If you think you may need cataract surgery, take a minute to learn about this procedure with Dr. Larry Patterson at Eye Centers of Tennessee.

Dr. Larry Patterson has performed thousands of cataract surgeries for over 20 years.  He is considered a leader in cataract surgery in the country.  Several ophthalmologists from around the USA have visited our surgical facility, Cataract and Laser Center, to observe Dr. Patterson and his staff on surgery day. 

The majority of people over the age of 60, and many individuals younger than that, have cataracts. There is no current treatment to prevent cataracts from forming or reverse their growth.  At your eye exam, Dr. Patterson will assess the health of your eyes and determine if cataract surgery is right for you.

Before your cataract surgery, it is important to know that the surgeon and the facility are the best.  Visit this website to learn more about what you should know before having cataract surgery. 

Where is cataract surgery performed?

In the not-so-distant past, cataract surgery was considered risky, required a lengthy hospital stay and was usually postponed for as long as possible.  With Eye Centers of Tennessee, you do not have to go to the hospital for this procedure.  Dr. Patterson performs all cataract surgeries at our dedicated surgical facility, Cataract and Laser Center, located on the lower level of the Eye Centers of Tennessee in Crossville.  This facility is the area's only comprehensive outpatient surgical center completely dedicated to eye surgery.  The Cataract and Laser Center also offers a private viewing room attached to the operating room if you would like your friends or family to watch your surgery.

See what cataract patients have to say about their cataract surgery.

What to expect on surgery day:

You will be asked to use eye drops at home both before and after the surgery.  The anesthetist will review your medical history as well as monitor your vital signs before, during, and after the procedure.  We usually give oral sedation to help you relax.  An IV can be started at any time if needed or desired.
Your eye will be dilated and numbed with topical eye drops.  In the operating room, and instrument will hold your eyelids open during the surgery.  You do not feel the need to blink because your eye is numb.  We do not expect you to feel pain, but slight feelings of pressure are common.  The procedure generally takes between 5-10 minutes and your total stay will be about 2 hours.		Your eye will be completely numbed before the procedure.

Dr. Patterson performs cataract surgery through a tiny 2.8mm incision in the cornea.  The incision is self sealing and routinely no sutures are needed.  There is usually no discomfort or bleeding.  The cataract is broken up with ultrasound and removed from the eye.  This is called phacoemulsification.  There are no lasers used in cataract surgery.  A lens implant, or intraocular lens (IOL) is placed into the space where your natural lens was originally. 

Intra-Ocular Lens replaces the natural lens of the eye.

The IOL is placed inside the capsular bag of the eye.

If your eye has pre-existing astigmatism, Dr. Patterson may elect to make micro-incisions in the cornea to reduce your astigmatism. These are called LRIs or limbal relaxing incisions.

Pre-existing astigmatism can be treated with limbal relaxing incisions.

Usually the eye is not patched.  Most patients leave about 15 minutes after the surgery, but you may feel some of the effects of the sedation for a few hours.  Patients often go out to eat on the way home.  It is normal for the vision to be blurry the evening of surgery.  Your eye may also be scratchy or watery.  We ask that you take it easy the evening of surgery, but you may do activities such as reading or watching TV as long as no discomfort is noticed.  Most patients return to normal activities the next day.

Suggestions to make your surgery day easy and comfortable:

• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Make sure someone comes with you who will be staying the entire time.
• Plan to be at the surgery center for 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Review your instructions and follow them carefully both before and after the procedure.
• Do not wear makeup or facial lotions the day of surgery.
• Do not eat after the designated time in your instructions.

Testimonials:
 

	"After dark, when I was driving, the dashboard lights didn't seem to be bright enough. My wife said, 'Sam, the lights are bright enough. There is something wrong with your eyes.'" - Sam Origlio, M.D. (Retired Surgeon)
Sams' Video Testimonial: 56K, DSL (View more testimonials)

Realistic expectations:

The decision to have cataract surgery is an important one that only you and your doctor can make. The goal of any vision restoration procedure is to improve your vision. However, we cannot guarantee you will have the results you desire.

Once removed, cataracts will not grow back. But some patients may experience clouding of a thin tissue, called the capsular bag, that holds the intra-ocular lens. In most cases, a laser is used to painlessly open the clouded capsule and restore clear vision with a procedure called a capsulotomy.

The capsular bag may become cloudy in the future.

 

Serious complications with cataract surgery are extremely rare. It is a safe, effective and permanent procedure, but like any surgical procedure, it does have some risks. Going to an eye specialist experienced with the procedure can significantly minimize the risks involved with cataract surgery.

After a thorough eye exam, you and Dr. Patterson will determine if cataract surgery is an option for you. You will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction.

You may also choose to make an appointment or request additional information to learn more about this exciting procedure.