Services

Services at the Eye Surgery Center of Nashville include minimally invasive procedures performed on the eye(s) in an ambulatory setting rather than a surgical center or hospital using local anesthesia and occasionally general anesthesia. Procedures include the following:

  • Cataract surgery – This procedure removes the lens of the eye that has developed an opacification or cataract. Cataracts are removed to improve vision. During the procedure, a doctor removes the patient's aging and cloudy natural lens and typically replaces it with a synthetic lens to restore the lens's transparency.
  • YAG laser surgery - Sometimes after cataract surgery the patient will experience a clouding of the lens called posterior capsule opacification, which is similar to scar tissue.  If the cloudiness affects vision, a laser surgery called YAG posterior capsulotomy can correct this problem. The procedure does not require anesthesia, and it is painless. The common misconception that "lasers" are used to remove cataracts occurs because post-cataract patients often require YAG laser capsulotomy.
  • Corneal transplants - Also known as corneal grafting or penetrating keratoplasty, this is a surgical procedure where a damaged or diseased cornea is replaced by donated corneal tissue which has been removed from a recently deceased individual having no known diseases which might affect the viability of the donated tissue.
  • Refractive lens exchange – This is a procedure where the natural lens is removed from the eye and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant, even if there is no cataract. Refractive lens exchange is becoming much more common as it is used in cases of extreme farsightedness or nearsightedness which are beyond the range of LASIK surgery. In addition, eligible patients are turning to the procedure as a surgical solution to the need for reading glasses (presbyopia). Our physicians use the Crystalens, Rezoom® or the ReStor® in their procedures.
  • Oculoplastic procedures – Oculoplastic surgery is a specialized form of plastic surgery on the forehead, eyebrows, eyelids and mid-face. Our surgeon is a board-certified ophthalmologist with fellowship training in ophthalmologic plastic surgery. Types of surgery include blepharoplasty and endoscopic brow lift. Corrective procedures include the repair of droopy eyelids (ptosis), correction of inward eyelids (entropion) and correction of outward sagging lids (ectropion). Reconstructive eye lid surgery also is a type of oculoplastic procedure.

While patients are being treated, family members are encouraged to wait in the center’s reception area. To maximize the comfort of all visitors, we suggest that adult patients be accompanied by only one person. When the patient is almost ready for discharge in the recovery area, the family is called back to speak with the doctor and nurses regarding the procedure and specific discharge instructions.