Ophthalmology
Ridgeview partners with Richie Eye Clinic & LASIK Center, Southwest Eye Care and Twin Cities Eye Consultants to offer cataract and glaucoma procedures at its Arlington and Le Sueur Campuses. Evaluation and consultations are offered at individual eye care provider locations and if a procedure is needed, patients can request that it be performed at a Ridgeview location.
Cataract and glaucoma surgery is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis, which means no hospital stay is required.
When Cataract Surgery is Needed
The normal lens of the eye is clear (transparent). As a cataract develops, the lens becomes cloudy. This blocks light from entering your eye. Without enough light, you cannot see as clearly.
Cataracts are painless. They are most often seen in older adults, although in rare cases, children may be born with them. Cataract surgery is usually recommended if the cataracts significantly impact the quality of your vision. Your eye doctor will help you decide when surgery is right for you.
The surgery lasts less than half an hour. Most times, the surgery is done on just one eye. If you have cataracts in both eyes, your doctor may suggest waiting at least one to two weeks between each surgery.
After the Procedure
Before you return home, you may receive the following:
- A patch to wear over your eye until the follow-up exam
- Eye drops to prevent infection, treat inflammation, and help with healing
You will need someone to drive you home following surgery.
You will usually have a follow-up exam with your doctor the next day. If you had stitches, you will need to make an appointment to have them removed. Recovery takes about two weeks.
When Glaucoma Surgery is Needed
To treat glaucoma, ophthalmologists will typically start with the least invasive treatment, such as eye drop medications or laser therapy. If less-invasive treatments are not helping, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery. Glaucoma surgery will not cure or undo vision loss, but it can help reduce the pressure in your eye and prevent your vision from worsening.
Depending on the severity of your condition, your ophthalmologist will recommend one of three types of surgeries — filtration surgery (trabeculectomy), glaucoma implant surgery or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery.
