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Mahoning Valley Surgery Center

Mahoning Valley Surgery Center was established in 2002 by Dr. Houser and Dr. Newman to serve the area as a same-day surgery center for our patients that need surgical services but wanted to be treated as if they were family. Dr. Houser and her highly skilled all female surgical team makes you feel welcomed and comfortable during your entire surgical experience.   Our areas of surgical expertise include:

  • Cataract Surgery
  • Glaucoma iStent Surgery
  • Minor Eye Procedures
  • Dry Eye Procedures
  • Oculoplastic Surgery

Mahoning Valley Surgery Center

37 Medical Crossing Road
Tamaqua, PA 18252

Phone – (570) 386-5926

Fax – (570) 386-2959

staff@housernewman.com

What is a Cataract?

Cataract is a natural effect of aging. The eye’s natural crystalline lens helps us focus on people and things at varying distances. Unfortunately, as we grow older this lens often stiffens and hardens, and without its youthful suppleness, it loses its ability to focus, creating vision problems. This condition is a natural consequence of aging called presbyopia. As we age, these changes occurring to the natural crystalline lens can lead to the development of cataracts, or a loss in the clarity of lenses. Since the lens is no longer as flexible or as clear as it used to be, the eye can't focus light properly, causing the following cataract symptoms:

  • Cloudy or blurred vision
  • Sensitivity to Light and Glare
  • Poor Night Vision
  • Trouble Driving at Night
  • Fading Color
  • Frequent Changes in Glasses Prescription

Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the world. A lens  is implanted during standard outpatient cataract surgery. In the United States, thousands of cataract procedures are performed daily. Cataract procedures are  quick, simple and our surgical techniques allow  for relatively fast healing. The surgical procedure is  safe and nearly painless. Cataract surgery  starts with numbing eye drops in our pre-operative area and a tiny  incision being made at the edge of the cornea. The natural lens is removed using the latest state of the art technology and the lens is  gently washed away. After the lens is removed, a new lens  is implanted. There are two types of lenses our patients can choose from and your surgeon would discuss which lens would be best for you. Our  patients return for a follow-up visit with one of our  physicians 1-2  days after surgery. The recovery period is usually short. Most patients are able to pursue normal activities almost immediately after surgery.

Pre-Op Surgery Instructions for Cataract Surgery

See your family doctor within 30 days of your scheduled surgery date for your medical clearance.  Bring along your history and physical form for your doctor to fill out at this appointment.  Your family doctor may order any tests they feel are necessary to medically clear you, but the surgery center does not require any testing.

Start your Ocuflox or Tobramycin eye drops three days prior to surgery and use it four times a day in your operative eye.

You must have a driver the day of your surgery that must stay at the facility approximately 2 hours.
Please make arrangements for your driver to remain on site while you are here. 

Your driver must remain at the surgery center the entire time (approximately two hours).

DO NOT eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery, unless instructed otherwise by the surgery center nurse during the pre-op phone call.  DO NOT use any chewing gum, hard candy, or tobacco products on the morning of your surgery.  DO NOT take any diabetic meds, including insulin, unless your family physician has instructed you to do so.

Report to the Mahoning Valley Surgery Center on your surgery date at the time that was given to you.  If you have not heard from us, and you have your surgery the next day, please call 570-386-5926 to obtain your arrival time from the surgery center.

You must bring your completed history and physical form on the day of surgery.  Your surgery cannot be done without your completed history and physical.  You must also bring your completed green medication & allergy sheet on the date of your first surgery if you have not already handed it in when you had your surgery testing. 

Dress comfortably. DO NOT wear any flip flops, perfume, cologne, lotion, body spray, make-up, or nail polish.  Leave your jewelry and valuables at home.  Dentures can be worn on the day of your surgery.  Please wear your hearing aids the day of your surgery.

Your eye shield will be given to you on the day of your surgery.

If you have any questions, please call 570-386-5926.