Wilson Memorial General Hospital - Marathon 

State of the Art Cataract Surgery a Success 

Increasing demand for cataract surgery

Cataract surgery is a simple outpatient procedure, which usually takes half an hour or less to perform and requires only local anesthesia. When a cataract makes it difficult or impossible to drive, read, watch television or perform normal daily activities, it’s time to consider cataract surgery. This common procedure restores vision by replacing the cloudy natural lens with a clear plastic one.

Cataract surgery is a simple outpatient procedure, which usually takes half an hour or less to perform and requires only local anesthesia. When a cataract makes it difficult or impossible to drive, read, watch television or perform normal daily activities, it’s time to consider cataract surgery. This common procedure restores vision by replacing the cloudy natural lens with a clear plastic one.

Cataract surgery requires advanced technology, specialized surgical equipment and instruments to ensure removal of the cataract and insertion of the new lens is fast and safe. A skilled surgeon and specially trained surgical staff are needed to perform this simple, yet complex procedure. 

In March 2006, Wilson Memorial General Hospital (WMGH) in Marathon, Ontario, made the significant commitment to offer cataract surgery. Now patients and caregivers do not have to travel to Thunder Bay or Sault Ste Marie for surgery, wait until the postoperative check-up is completed the day after surgery, and then drive the patient home.  

Since September 2008 the Cataract surgical procedure has been available at WMGH, with a wait time of approximately 12 days. Dr. Mike Rogelstadt, the ophthalmologist who has been flying in to Marathon for 15 years to conduct eye clinics, is performing the procedures.  To date WMGH has successfully completed over 140 cataract procedures with 69 of them being in 2009.

WMGH is fulfilling its mission to improve health and provide high-quality care to meet the needs of the community. This successful cataract surgery program clearly proves that, with ingenuity, flexibility and dedication, even a small facility can deliver excellence in healthcare services.