Cataract Surgery Process

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Comprehensive dilated exams allow us to properly grade the level of severity of cataracts. 

Your eyes will be dilated, a glare test will be performed,  and your glasses prescription will be measured.  A V14 Visual Function Questionnaire will be given as required by insurance to measure how changes in vision affect daily activities.

If it is determined that your cataracts are visually significant a new glasses prescription will not be released as it will change immediately after surgery. 

If you have significant dry eye or eyelid inflammation it could complicate the outcome of cataract surgery. If this appointment is necessary, it will have been discussed at your initial evaluation. 

This visit will determine the condition of your ocular surface compared to your initial evaluation. Improvement in inflammation will ensure a lower chance of infection after surgery. 

You will receive the following in the mail before surgery: 

• Copy of the consent form from the surgery center
• Copy of any applicable financial paperwork
• A brochure to research surgery on your own 
• A list of appointments associated with your procedure(s)

If you wear contact lenses do not wear them for two weeks prior to your pre-op appointment.

If you wear contact lenses you will need to stay out of your contacts before preoperative measurements are taken to ensure accurate corneal measurements. Soft lenses need to be out for a minimum of 14 days, and hard lenses need to be out for a minimum of 6 weeks, before your preoperative appointment with Dr. Swedberg. 

• Detailed discussion regarding the procedure 
• You will choose which post-op drop method you would like: Traditional or Combo  
• Hands-on drop demonstration
• Determine which form of vision correction you would like to aim for with your lens implants
• Sign consents and financial forms

Please make sure that our front desk staff have your appropriate phone, email, address, and insurance on file so that the surgery center can expedite your registration. 

Be on the look out for contact from the surgery center. The procedure cannot be performed until you make contact with them.

At this appointment you will:

• Take measurements of the retina and cornea with the surgical coordinator. This may involve an ultrasound depending on the severity of your cataracts.

• Discuss the lens implant you would like with Dr. Swedberg

• Experience a short physical with the technician and Dr. Swedberg to determine if you are ready for surgery

The charge nurse will call you to go over last minute information and to give you your surgery and arrival times at the surgery center. 

You will arrive at the surgery center, have the procedure, and go home. Take the drops that morning and again once you get home. Continue your regular drop schedule (4 times per day while awake). 

Vision may be a bit blurry and you may experience mild discomfort such as a sandy, gritty feeling and watering. We will check the wound, eye pressure, and your vision. 

Please bring your drops to this appointment. 

Vision may be a bit blurry if you have uncorrected astigmatism and you may continue to experience mild discomfort such as a sandy, gritty feeling and watering. 

We will check the wound, eye pressure, and your vision. If both eyes have had surgery we will finalize your glasses prescription with our in-house Optometrist at this time. 

This appointment is your new baseline following surgery and is not related to the surgery itself. Vision should be stabilized by this time. Discomfort should have diminished unless you have underlying or untreated dry eye or blepharitis.

Your eyes will be dilated and your eye pressure will be checked at this visit. We will determine frequency of visits for routine eye care moving forward at this visit.