Cataract Treatment

More than 1.4 million people in the U.S. have cataract surgery each year.  More than 95% of cataract surgeries are performed with no complications and improved vision.   You and your ophthalmologist should decide together when cataract surgery is appropriate for you.  Cataract Surgery is usually an Outpatient procedure, performed with local (a numbing block) or topical anesthesia (eye drops) and some sedation through an IV in your hand or arm.

Cataract Surgery A small incision is made close to the edge of the cornea.  A tiny, high-frequency ultrasound instrument is inserted that breaks up center of the lens.  Broken-up cloudy lens material is removed through the incision. An Intraocular lens (IOL) implant is inserted into your eye to replace the cloudy lens. The IOL is customized for your eye; restores focusing power.  The IOL usually placed behind the iris (posterior chamber lens), but sometimes placed in front of iris (anterior chamber lens).

Most cataract surgical procedures are performed without complications and result in immediate improvement in vision.  You will apply eye drops for several weeks following surgery to reduce the possibility of infection and/or inflammation in the eye.  You may need an eyeglass prescription to obtain your clearest vision following surgery.

In a number of cases, the natural capsule supporting IOL can become cloudy after cataract surgery.  A Posterior Capsulotomy, (laser surgery done in the office) can be performed to open  cloudy capsule and restore clear vision. This procedure is normally done in a surgery center but we are able to perform this procedure directly in our office.

Yag Capsulotomy 

Lens Implants for Astigmatism

The AcrySof® Toric IOL

Astigmatism is an optical condition that can blur vision at both distance and near. Until recently, patients with significant amounts of astigmatism were forced to still depend on glasses or contacts after cataract surgery or refractive lens exchange surgery to improve their vision.

The AcrySof® Toric Intraocular Lens has advanced technology that can eliminate the cataracts that cloud your vision and correct the astigmatism that distorts your vision all at the same time. In a recent FDA study 97% of patients were able to eliminate the need for glasses to see in the distance and achieved 20/25 or better. Patients enjoy activities like sports, driving, or watching T.V. and movies without the need for contacts or glasses.

 Lens Implants for Night Driving

The TECNIS® Aspheric IOL 

The new TECNIS® IOL provides patients with youthful, clear and crisp vision using wavefront lens technology. It corrects the optical imbalances that reduce contrast in our vision as we age. The major benefit of the lens is the increased contrast of vision in low-light situations such as night driving and the reduction of glare during the day. The functional improvement in night vision makes night driving safer because traffic hazards can be identified more easily.

Multifocal Lens Implants
TECNIS ™ Multifocal and Crystalens®

The TECNIS ™ MF, and Crystalens® implants are multifocal premium intraocular lenses that we recommend for many of our patients who are undergoing cataract surgery. We also recommend these lenses for those who suffer from presbyopia (the need to wear reading glasses), and who want to eliminate wearing contact lenses and glasses. Though they work in different ways, these implants give patients freedom from glasses by correcting both distance and near vision at the same time.