Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye that leads to blurry vision. Much like a camera, if the lens gets dirty the image will not be clear. Cataracts form when the tissues of the eye change over time or due to injury, genetics, or some medications such as steroids. Most often, cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and are easily corrected with surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed in the world today.
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and and replacing it with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. We offer several types of IOL, as well as two different methods of cataract surgery.
With different Intraocular Lenses (IOLs), the need for glasses can be substantially reduced or nearly eliminated. Every cataract surgery patient will have an in depth conversation about the options available and the expectations with those IOL options.
Once a cataract has developed there is no treatment apart from eye surgery. Cataract surgery is extremely common and has a 95% success rate. If your cataracts are affecting your vision so that it interferes with your lifestyle, it may be time for surgery.
We will examine your eyes and determine whether cataract surgery is right for you. If we recommend the surgery and you choose to proceed, we will measure your eye and help you decide which IOL is appropriate.
During the cataract surgery, you will receive IV twilight- anesthesia as well as full numbing of the ocular surface. Patient’s will often describe the discomfort after surgery as an “eyelash” or “grain of sand” in the eye for a few days.
Choosing the Right Replacement Lens
Envista Toric IOL for Astigmatism
For patients with astigmatism consider cataract surgery, a Toric IOL can fully correct distance vision. The Toric IOL will be custom selected by our surgeon to match the power and location of your astigmatism, leading to crisp and clear distance vision. Patients that do select a Toric IOL should still expect to wear reading glasses for all intermediate and near activities.
The Clareon® Vivity® Lens allows you to see clearly at far and intermediate distances with functional near vision, so that you can immerse yourself in a full range of activities—all while relying less on glasses. Here’s a visual example to help you understand the kind of vision improvements that come with the Clareon® Vivity® Lens.
Vivity IOL Patient Testimony
Symfony IOL
The Clareon® PanOptix® Lens gives you a full range of vision, so that you can immerse yourself in a full range of activities—all while relying less on glasses. Here’s a visual example to help you understand the kind of vision improvements that come with a trifocal lens.
PanOptix Patient Testimonial
Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) System
Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA) is a system used during cataract surgery by our surgeon to determine the best lens power for a patient’s IOL. Prior to boarding cataract surgery, a patient is brought into our office for a measurement of the length and refractive power of the eye. While these measurements are helpful and informative, the measurements are made through the eye’s cloudy cataract and are susceptible to variation. With the ORA System, the power is redetermined after the cloudy natural lens is removed, leading to more predictable prescription outcomes after cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
After the surgery you will be taken to a recovery room for a short time. From there we will make sure to answer any questions and set you up with all that you need to recover.
We will give you eye drops and a clear plastic shield to use over your eyes while you are sleeping for 5 nights. It is recommended that you avoid strenuous activities for 5 days. Your vision should begin to improve within a few days as the eye heals.
Possible Complications
It is common for patients to still need prescription glasses even after cataract surgery. Our office will help you combine treatments to get the best and clearest possible vision.
YAG Laser Capsulotomy
The most complication following cataract surgery is posterior capsule opacity (PCO). During the surgery the cloudy lens is removed but the thin membrane surrounding it, called the lens capsule, is preserved. PCO happens when that capsule becomes clouded by new cell growth.
YAG laser capsulotomy is a simple, safe, fast procedure where a hole is made in the capsule, allowing light to come through and restoring vision.