Before surgery, your consultant will conduct a thorough examination of the eye to assess the size, location, and severity of the pterygium. They will also assess the eye’s overall health and take a full medical history.
Pterygium surgery is carried out to remove a growth of tissue on the eye’s conjunctiva. Pterygium’s are often associated with prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light (UV), wind and dust. Pterygium does not necessarily require surgery but if sight is affected or if the pterygium becomes symptomatic then surgery is advised.
Pterygium surgery can be performed under local anaesthesia delivered to the eye via drops of medicine into the eye. Once fully numbed, the surgeon will carefully excise the pterygium from the conjunctiva and, if necessary, the cornea. Your Regency Eye surgeon will carry out the procedure using microsurgical techniques to minimise interaction with the eye. In some cases, a graft may be necessary to cover the area from which the pterygium have been removed. If required, it will help reduce the risk of recurrence and promote healing.
Your vision is likely to be very blurry due to the eye drops used during the procedure. This usually lasts for between 24 and 48 hours. If a transparent shield is provided to protect your eye following surgery – we advise that you wear it for at least the first 24 hours and wear it overnight for the first week. This will limit your chances of coming into contact with irritants that may affect your recovery.
We will also provide eye drops for you to take at home. Your surgeon will explain how often to apply them and for how long. You will be given our free clinical helpline number which you can phone at any time if you have any concerns about your treatment. One of our clinical team will always be available. You will also receive a call from the clinical team two days after the procedure to see how you’re recovering.
A few side effects are common after cataract surgery. In the great majority of cases these are mild and not a cause for concern. Patients often experience sensitivity to light, grittiness, watering and blurry or double vision. Rare symptoms include vision loss, pain that is resistant to medication, flashes or multiple spots in your vision, nausea and vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact Regency Eye and we can make sure any complications are dealt with promptly.
It’s natural to wonder what sort of activities are safe after you’ve had cataract surgery. Here is some general advice about what you can do safely after the procedure. Avoid activities that may increase pressure in the eyes. For example, lifting heavy objects. Bending below the waist and reaching high can also create pressure in the eyes and should be avoided when possible for 2 weeks.
Taking a proactive, conscious approach to your recovery can make a big difference to the success of your surgery outcome. We encourage our patients in the weeks before surgery to make notes of activities they should avoid while in recovery. Taking care of tasks beforehand is also recommended – for example, preparing a meal to have after surgery. We also suggest that our patients aim to return to a clean and vacuumed house. Things like dust, dirt and pet hair can all be irritating to a recovering eye and should be avoided as much as possible.
Cataracts usually develop in both eyes. To treat both cataracts, two different surgeries are required. We can carry out both procedures sequentially so that one eye is operated on immediately after the first. This means only one hospital visit is required. It has the added advantage of allowing both eyes to adjust to their new lenses at the same time.
Alternatively, we can schedule each treatment one or two weeks apart. If you opt to have a gap between surgeries, vision in one eye will be corrected while the other remains impaired and this can be a little disorientating. If you wear glasses, we can organise for one of your lenses to be removed. After both surgeries, your vision will be reassessed, and new prescription glasses may be recommended.
For a positive outcome to your surgery, we recommend following a home aftercare routine to assist your recovery. After cataract surgery, your eyes need to be rested and protected from harmful particles. We recommend taking time off work for the days following surgery and not scheduling any social engagements or trips.
Getting plenty of rest after your surgery will give your eyes time to recover. Avoid activities that may strain your eyes too much. Try to limit screen time and avoid reading in low light. Protect your eyes, not only through hygiene but by wearing sunglasses when necessary.
Coughing, sneezing and vomiting can also increase pressure in the eyes and should be avoided as much as possible. While the days following the surgery may seem frustrating, they are an important part of how you can achieve clear vision for years to come.
For many of our patients at Regency Eye, this surgery provides sight that they haven’t experienced in years alongside freedom from long-term worries about vision loss.
