What Happens During the Procedure

1. Local Anesthesia
Your ophthalmologist will numb your eye with drops or an injection, so you won’t feel any pain during the surgery. Some patients may also receive a sedative to help them relax.

2. The Procedure
During the surgery, your doctor will:

• Make a tiny incision in the front of the eye.
• Use a small ultrasound device to break up the cloudy lens into tiny pieces.
• Remove the pieces of the lens.
• Insert a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to replace the cloudy natural lens.

This new lens will help restore your vision, and in many cases, reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery.

3. Recovery Room
After the surgery, you will rest in a recovery area for about 30 minutes. Your eye will be covered with a protective shield, and your doctor will give you instructions for at-home care. You’ll need someone to drive you home.