Eye Surgery in Titusville

Involved Eye Operations Performed by Experienced Surgeons

Eye surgery can be very intimidating for some people, but some issues are serious enough that there is no other option. Titusville Area Hospital is staffed with highly qualified surgeons with years of experience who place the upmost importance on attention to detail and patient care. We understand that it’s natural to feel apprehensive about eye surgery, but just remember that these operations have been performed hundreds of times before, and there are methods in place to protect patients from pain or discomfort.

Here we outline basics of various procedures so you can better understand what the process involves.

Cataract Extraction with Intraocular Lens

A cataract is a common vision problem that obscures light and typically affects people over 40. In severe cases, a doctor may recommend cataract surgery, which will remove the affected lens from your eye and replace it with an intraocular lens (IOL).

During the removal, the eye will be numbed and the patient sedated to help them relax. Patients must be awake during the surgery so the doctor can operate, but will not be able to see what is being done to the eye. Very small incisions are made in the eye which the patient will not feel. The cataract lens is removed and replaced with the IOL.

Eyes are very resilient and can usually seal the incisions shut without assistance. After the surgery the doctor will cover your eye with a shield and provide instructions for aftercare. You should be cleared to leave the hospital after 30 minutes or so.

Implants

There are couple types of eye implants that a doctor may recommend for various conditions.

• Lens implants – Typically used for cataract extractions and severe myopia, artificial lenses replace the patient’s obscured eye lens to prove them with clear vision.
• Prosthetic eye – While it does not improve vision, a prosthetic eye is used for patients who require eye removal. Eye removal typically occurs when a patient suffers severe glaucoma, infections, or tumors.

Tear Duct Probing & Irrigation

You’ve probably noticed that your nose runs when you cry. This is because only a portion of tears release from the eye, while the rest flow through the lacrimal duct and out the nose. When the tear duct becomes blocked, it creates discomfort, blurred vision, and swelling in the face. It can even cause an infection if left untreated. A duct probing and irrigation procedure can clear the blockage and prevent serious complications.

Blockages can result from:

• Broken noses or other injuries on the face
• Polyps or other infections
• Swelling and inflammation in the eyes from allergies
• Congenital factors inherited from parents

These procedures are very simple for adults. For children, the smaller structures make it slightly more complicated. They may require anesthesia during the operation.

Blepharoplasty

Blepharoplasty is a cosmetic surgery performed on the eyelids. Though often used for cosmetic purposes, the operation also has practical value. As a person ages, the skin around the eyes can droop and cause vision problems, particularly in the peripheral.

During the operation, the patient is medicated to help them relax. The surgeon then makes a small incision in the eyelid and removes excess fat. The surgery usually lasts about 2 hours, and patients usually return home the same day after brief monitoring. Temporary blurred vision is normal after the procedure, and scars from the operation last about 6 months. The results may be permanent, but some patients do sometimes request the operation again after a few years.