After cataract surgery, there are typically three or more post-operative (post-op) visits to evaluate the healing of the eye. These visits are used to check the eye pressure, evaluate for the healing of the surgical wound, assess the position and health of the artificial lens implant, and dilate the eyes to ensure that there are no additional complications in the vitreous or retina. Post-op visits may occur at the surgical center with doctors there, or you may wish to transfer care back to your regular optometrist if you were referred for surgery. All post-op visits are included in the global fee of the cataract surgery but only within the 90 days following the procedure.
Basics of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is performed to remove the natural crystalline lens from the eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens.
The procedure requires IV sedation and is performed in an operating room of a surgery center. Most of the time, the entire procedure requires only a few minutes for an eye – usually between six and twelve minutes.
Following the procedure, post-operative visits help to make sure that the surgery was successful, the eye is healed, and the vision is stable and improved.
When Post Op Visits are Scheduled
The most common schedule for post-op visits for cataract surgery is the next day, one week after surgery, and one month after surgery.
These three visits may suffice, or if there are special circumstances, additional visits may be needed.
All post-op care and visits should be concluded within the 90-day global period for the cataract surgery.
Any visits beyond the 90-day global period may be billed as medical visits for the problem that is occurring actively, rather than as a post-op visit following the surgery.
What is Checked at a Post-Op Visit
A post-op visit is not a traditional eye exam, it will be much shorter and problem-focused.
The only things that will be examined and assessed are the cornea, iris, lens, and retina when dilated.
This allows the doctor to ensure that the surgical wound on the cornea is healed and is not leaking, there are no iris defects or complications, the new lens is centered and in place, and that there were no adverse effects to the eye or the retina.
The eye pressure is also measured along with visual acuity without correction of any form.
At a post-op visit, other eye problems may not be addressed or, if they are, additional testing may be billed separately.
These post-op visits are important to assess if there are any potential complications from the surgery such as swelling or inflammation in the eyes, an infection in the eye, or scar tissue forming on the new lens.
All of these complications and more can be identified and managed at post-op visits for cataract surgery.
Once the post-op visits are complete, annual eye exams are still recommended for routine eye health checks.
Our eye doctors at Wilmington Family Eye Care in Wilmington, DE excel in the prescription of glasses, contact lenses and the diagnosis of a variety of eye diseases. Call our optometrists at 302-299-1286 or schedule an eye exam appointment online if you would like to learn more about cataract surgery. Our eye doctors, Drs. Daniel Baruffi, Amy Quan, Patricia Jones, and Joseph Goldberg provide the highest quality optometry services and eye exams in Wilmington, Delaware and its surrounding areas.