Phacoemulsification allows for an Injectionless, Stitchless, painless, no bandage surgery

Stitchless surgery is a relatively recent development. The wide incision of the extracapsular method, which requires seven to nine stitches, causes postoperative astigmatism for several weeks. To reduce this recovery period and to attain an almost instant visual recovery, a different technique was developed. By entering the eye either in the sclera or at the border of the cornea, a narrow opening is dissected through the sclera and cornea into the eye. This allows an ultrasonic probe to be easily inserted into the eye to emulsify the cataract. The implant is then inserted through the tunnel into the capsular bag behind the iris. Saline is injected to raise the eye pressure until the eye seals itself shut.

One of the latest and most significant developments in cataract surgery has been in the use of Topical Anesthesia. In the past many people would say that the worst part of their cataract operation was getting an injection "in their eye" to numb it up. Now the entire surgery can be done without an injection and by using only eye drops.
The advantages of Topical Anesthesia are numerous. Most importantly, the pain and risks involved with the injection, plus the operative results are much faster, and sometimes immediate. After Topical Anesthesia, you go home without an eye patch.