Q. Is Dr. Kaufman experienced?
A. Yes. Dr. Kaufman has performed over 40,000 cataract surgeries and over 90,000 eye surgeries. He has been performing micro-incision cataract surgery since 1979.
Q. Why is Dr. Kaufman considered an innovator in advanced cataract surgery?
A. Dr. Kaufman was the first surgeon in the Tampa area to perform microincision cataract surgery using FDA approved foldable lens implants, Crystalens® implants and TRULIGN™ toric intraocular lens implants.
Q. Do I need to wear glasses after premium presbyopic correcting lens surgery?
A. With premium presbyopic correcting lifestyle lens implants, most patients reduce or even eliminate their dependency on glasses for distance, near and in between. Many do not wear any glasses after surgery.
Q. Who performs the cataract surgery?
A. Dr. Kaufman performs every step of every procedure and does not delegate surgery to assistants.
Q. I have astigmatism, how is that treated?
A. To achieve the best vision after cataract surgery, you can elect to upgrade to reduce your astigmatism with limbal relaxing incisions, toric monofocal intraocular lens implants or with TRULIGN™ toric intraocular lens implants. Dr. Kaufman specializes in these advanced techniques and was the first surgeon in the area to implant the TRULIGN™ lens implant.
Q. I have cataracts in both eyes, will Dr. Kaufman perform cataract surgery in both eyes on the same day?
A. No. Dr. Kaufman performs surgery one eye at a time. Usually, Dr. Kaufman will monitor the patient's healing before performing surgery on the second eye.
Q. When do I stop eating before surgery?
A. Patients are not to eat or drink after midnight. You can take your regular medications with a small sip of water the morning of surgery. Those patients taking diabetes medication should defer from taking them as we do not want your sugar to be too low.
Q. Do I need to take eye drops before surgery?
A. Yes. Our office will provide you with a schedule of which medications to take and when.
Q. Can I drive home after surgery?
A. No. You will be given medication at the time of surgery which can impair your driving ability.
Q. How long until I can return to normal activities?
A. Most patients can resume normal basic activities like reading and watching tv that day, and return to work within two days. However, results vary for different patients, so you should ask us if you have questions about specific activities. We usually recommend that the patient avoid rubbing the eye, engaging in activities like sports where an object could hit the eye and getting dust, dirt or sand in the eye. We also advise to avoid swimming and wearing eye makeup for two weeks after surgery. You may exercise if you avoid letting sweat run directly in your eyes.
Q. Can I go to the hair salon?
A. Yes, just advise your stylist of your recent eye surgery and to take precautions to prevent any chemicals, water, or hair spray from getting into your eyes.
Q. If I elect to have LASIK after IOL surgery, how soon can I have it?
A. We wait a minimum of three months after IOL surgery to give the eye adequate time to heal before performing additional surgery on it. Dr. Kaufman will be able to determine when you are ready for LASIK.
Q. Can my cataract come back or can I develop a cataract after a lens implant?
A. No, once a cataract has been removed, it cannot return. Implant lenses do not cloud over like human lenses do. However, over time patients may complain that their vision has once again become cloudy. This fairly common condition which may occur with any type of IOL, is known as posterior capsular opacification or “PCO.” Some doctors refer to it as a “secondary cataract” because the visual symptoms are similiar to a cataract. If the PCO becomes bothersome, we can clear it away with a simple laser procedure performed in the office.
Q. Does lens implant surgery hurt?
A. Thanks to numbing drops and medication to help you relax, this procedure involves minimal discomfort. It is normal to experience some soreness for the first 24-48 hours after surgery, but severe pain is rare and should be reported to us right away.
For more information regarding the most frequently asked questions after cataract surgery, read Cataract Surgery Post operative questions.