Phoenixville Eye Care Specialists

Small Incision Surgery

Older style cataract surgery required a large incision. Best vision could take three months to achieve. There are more restrictions on activities postoperatively. The incision requires numerous stitches to close. There is also a higher risk of some complications with this style of surgery.

Older style surgery

Older style surgery

Older style surgery

Older style surgery

Today, most surgery is done by the small incision method. One dissolvable suture is usually used to close the incision. Because this method is less traumatic to the eye, patients usually have
improved vision sooner, within days to a few weeks. There is also less astigmatism postoperatively. Because the incision is smaller, the risk of severe complications is much lower. The complete recovery period is usually shorter, about 4 to 5 weeks when glasses are prescribed after the surgery. There is also a much faster return to normal activities postoperatively.

99% of surgery is done by the small incision method, but some very advanced cataracts will not lend themselves well to this method. Your doctor will decide which method is safest for your particular eye. Rarely the doctor will switch from the small incision method to the larger incision method during the operation. The goal of the doctor is always to do what is safest for your eye and will give you the best visual outcome with the least risk of complications.

Small incision