Phaco Surgery

Yesterday was a fast appointment at Shiley Eye Institute. A simple ultrasound of both eyes prior to surgery next week. The procedure is simple—sit in a chair and pull your face close to the machine. You look at some lights, watch a couple of flashes and you are done.

There are two types of cataract surgery The original type makes an incision in the eye and removes the cataract,

Per UCSD—”Another common type of extracapsular cataract extraction is phacoemulsification (often just called “phaco”), where the surgeon removes the cataract through an even smaller incision than the one used in conventional surgery. In this procedure, the surgeon uses a computerized instrument consisting of a needle about the size of a ballpoint pen tip which vibrates at about 40,000 times a second.

This ultrasonic vibration dissolves the cataract into fine particles, which are then vacuumed through an opening in the instrument.

The benefits of the phaco approach include an early restoration of vision and return to normal activities. Phaco is well suited for patients with a less-advanced cataract, when an earlier return to activity is required or when increased physical activity is part of the convalescent period.”

04-28-2026—Today I have a phone call with the Nurse Practitioner at Shiley to prep for surgery. We will likely discuss the three types of lens, though I have already committed to the more expensive option which improves both distance and middle (computer) vision. It will mean wearing glasses for reading, which I don’t mind.

After having retina surgery-induced cataracts for a year, I am really “looking” forward to getting my left eye online again.