|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Frequently
Asked Questions |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Why do people need pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
What is the success rate of pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Pterygium surgery is very successful. However,
the recurrence rate is often as high as 30 to
40 percent and they tend to come back bigger and
faster.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Can all candidates have a pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
No, the best patients are those who are healthy,
psychologically stable and well motivated. Some
medical conditions may increase the risk of pterygium
surgery. Patients with significant eye problems
like glaucoma
or dry eyes
may not be eligible. Uncontrolled high blood pressure
or thyroid disease is also of concern. Through
consultation and examination, we can determine
if you're a candidate for this rewarding procedure.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Is pterygium surgery performed on both men and women? |
|
| |
A:
Yes. It should be noted that a significant number
of men and women of all ages elect to have pterygium
surgery.
|
|
| |
 Top |
|
| |
Q:
What is the right age to undergo pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
There is no correct age for obtaining pterygium
surgery. If you are in good health without serious
eye problems, your age alone should not keep you
from having this procedure.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Can pterygium surgery be a medical necessity? |
|
| |
A:
If pterygium is interfering in your field of vision,
the procedure may be covered as a "medically
necessary" surgery. Before surgery, your
ophthalmologist will perform a comprehensive
eye examination. Photographs are
often required by insurance companies before surgery
to determine if the procedure is medically necessary.
Final decision is made by your insurance carrier
after reviewing your condition. Pingueculum surgery
is not covered by insurance unless there is a
medical necessity. Patients should check with
their insurance carrier about their coverage.
As a general rule, insurance does not cover cosmetic
surgery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Are there any visible scars from the pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Most of the time there is no visible scar after
the healing is complete. Once healed, the hairline
scars will fade.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
What if I have a history of bad scars? |
|
| |
A:
If you have pierced ears, the way you healed there
is a good indication of how you will heal from
pterygium surgery. Scars on the rest of the body
typically are not an indication for how patients
heal following pterygium surgery. At the time
of your consultation, it's important to show your
physician any previous scars (called keloid scars)
that are of concern so your doctor can give you
a realistic assessment of your healing potential
following pterygium surgery. If you have a history
of abnormal scarring, there are medications that
can be used to help prevent excess scarring.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Is the result of pterygium surgery permanent? |
|
| |
A:
Surgery is the only way to remove a pterygium,
but the results can be disappointing. Even with
modern techniques, the recurrence rate is often
as high as 30 to 40 percent and they tend to come
back bigger and faster.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
How is the pterygium surgery performed? |
|
| |
A:
Pterygium surgery is usually performed by giving
small local anesthesia injection to numb the tissues.
Generally there is no pain during surgery. If
you are very nervous, you will be given a Valium
pill to help you relax. A light intravenous sedation
may also be given. Patients are awake during surgery.
Patients do not hear or feel anything and are
comfortable during surgery. Pterygium surgery
is commonly done on an outpatient basis.
|
|
| |
Top |
|
| |
Q:
Will I be in pain? |
|
| |
A:
After any surgical procedure, some discomfort
can be expected. All patients are provided with
prescriptions for pain medication. Patients have
surprisingly little discomfort after most pterygium
procedures. Generally over the counter Tylenol
is all patients need (together with ice packs)
placed over their eyes for 24 hours. An occasional
patient will report unmanageable pain after surgery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
How will I feel after my pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Your eyes will be patched closed. After surgery,
patients usually spend at least one day resting
with their head elevated on a pillow and often
apply ice packs to reduce swelling. Some patients
report a dull headache and tenderness or discomfort.
You may also experience temporary numbness.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
How long does the pterygium surgery take? |
|
| |
| A:
The length of surgery depends on several factors
including the complexity of each person's
pterygium. Usually, surgery takes about half
an hour. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: Can
I drive myself back home? |
|
| |
A:
No, you should not drive yourself. Someone will
need to drive you home after your surgery. Someone
will need to drive you back to our office for
your first postoperative appointment.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: How
long will it take before I look normal? |
|
| |
A:
Usually, patients look normal after about two
to three weeks of surgery. Some patients heal
faster, and others take longer. However, at two
weeks you know you are well on the way to recovery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: Is
there swelling and bruising after the procedure? |
|
| |
A:
Your eye will look very red for about 1-2 weeks
after the surgery.
|
|
| |
Top |
|
| |
Q: How
safe is the pterygium surgery? Are there any complications
or side effects? |
|
| |
A:
All surgeries have some risks. If performed by
a competent surgeon, complications are infrequent
and minor. The vast majority of these operations
go perfectly well with excellent results and happy
patients. All patients will experience some bruising
and swelling for a few days after the surgery.
Any surgery has some risk of bleeding and infection.
Dr. Tandon
will discuss any possible risks with you before
surgery is done, and answer all of your questions.
Visual impairment is extremely rare. There may
be some temporary sensitivity to bright light
or wind and we recommend wearing dark
glasses when outside.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: How
soon can I go back to work after pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
New techniques have significantly reduced
healing times. However, each patient's healing
time varies with the type of procedure performed,
medical history and physical health. You
can expect to go to your work place after
a week. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: When
can I resume regular exercise or play sports after
pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
You should plan to take it easy and not work out
or play sports for a week. Aerobic and other exercise
programs are not allowed for at least two weeks
to decrease the risks of bleeding, swelling and
bruising.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: When
can I return to normal activities? |
|
| |
A:
Most patients watch TV within 1-2 days after surgery.
People generally can read and work at the computer.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: When
can I take a shower or tub bath? |
|
| |
A:
You may take a tub bath and wash your hair in the
sink any time following the procedure. Hot steamy
showers should be avoided because they could prolong
swelling. Routine showers at one week are fine.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: When
can I wear contact lenses after pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Generally, you should stay out of contact lenses
for at least two weeks after surgery. Get final
clearance from your surgeon before using contact
lenses.
|
|
| |
Top |
|
| |
Q: When
will my surgeon see me again after the pterygium
surgery? |
|
| |
A:
We see all surgery patients one day after the surgery.
Further follow-up will depend upon your individual
condition and schedule. Dr.
Tandon will be available to see you
in the office, if necessary. There is no charge
for future visits after surgery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: If
I am eligible for the surgery, what is the next
step? |
|
| |
A:
Schedule a pre-op appointment with your surgeon
at NeoVision Eye Center. In keeping with our efforts
to maintain the highest standards of patient safety
and in an ongoing effort to avoid possible complications,
we ask that each of our pterygium patients undergo
an extensive and comprehensive
eye exam by an ophthalmologist prior
to surgery. During your pre-op visit, your health
history will be reviewed, all your questions will
be answered, you will be instructed on how to
prepare for surgery, you will be given the prescriptions
for use after surgery and we will tell you what
to expect. If you are on blood thinners, you will
be asked to stop them approximately two weeks
prior to surgery. You will be asked to sign an
informed consent. Full fee for the pterygium surgery
is due at the time of your pre-op visit.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: What
does “informed consent” mean? |
|
| |
A:
Informed consent means you have an excellent understanding
about the benefits of surgery as well as any risks,
and all the preoperative and postoperative information.
You are making an "informed" decision
as to whether surgery is right for you.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: Are
there any dietary restrictions before the procedure? |
|
| |
A:
Anesthesia medications can cause stomach upset.
The best way to prevent after effects from anesthesia
will be to avoid food or drink from midnight the
night before surgery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: Are
there any dietary restrictions following pterygium
surgery? |
|
| |
A:
No. Patients can eat whatever they want.
|
|
| |
Top |
|
| |
Q: Will
I need any special prescriptions following pterygium
surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Yes. Postoperative prescriptions are provided
well in advance of surgery day so you arrive home
completely prepared. Postoperative prescriptions
and over-the-counter medications for pterygium
patients include the following: Pain medication
(usually Vicodin hydrocodone) to minimize any
discomfort following surgery and antibiotic ophthalmic
ointment (Polysporin bacitracin ophthalmic) to
place gently in the operated eye.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: When
do I start taking these prescriptions? |
|
| |
A:
Patients take their pain medication as needed.
You will begin the antibiotic and pain medications
when you arrive home from surgery.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
Who will do my pterygium surgery?
A: Dr. Tandon
will meet with you, examine you, and discuss
all the possible complications, answer all
of your questions, and perform the surgery.
Dr. Tandon,
MD, PhD is a trained eye physician
and surgeon from Stanford University. She
is a board certified ophthalmologist. |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q:
What are NeoVision’s charges for a
pterygium surgery?
A: At NeoVision Eye Center, we believe
the fairest approach is to offer pterygium
surgery for one Flat Fee. That is why we
offer one global comprehensive fee, which
includes all pre-operative, surgical, and
post-operative care. A price estimate will
be given at your consultation for pterygium
surgery. Fees reflect the specific problem
that you have and the extent of surgery
to correct it. |
 |
|
|
| |
Top |
|
| |
Q: Will
my insurance company pay for pterygium surgery? |
|
| |
A:
Most of these operations are cosmetic in nature
and are not covered by insurance. If pterygium
is interfering in your field of vision, the procedure
may be covered as a "medically necessary"
surgery and some insurance plans will pay for
all or part of the surgery. Pinguecula are generally
not covered by insurance unless there is a medical
reason. Patients should check with their insurance
carrier about their coverage.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: How
will my insurance company decide whether I need
pterygium surgery for medical or cosmetic reason? |
|
| |
A:
Before surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform
a comprehensive
eye examination. Photographs are
often required by insurance companies before surgery
to determine if the procedure is medically necessary.
Final decision is made by your insurance carrier
after reviewing your condition.
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Q: I
am ready to get my pterygium surgery at NeoVision,
what is the next step? |
|
| |
A:
Schedule a complimentary, no-obligation personal
evaluation with your surgeon at NeoVision Eye
Center to determine if you are a likely candidate
for pterygium surgery. There is absolutely no-fee
for this assessment, whether or not you choose
to have the procedure done. Call toll free at
1-877-NEOVISION
(1-877-636-8474).
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
| <<
Back to Services |
|
)
)
)
)
)
