StemCell Therapy

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye that prevents you from seeing a clear image of objects at distance for reading and/or close work. Primarily because of the eyes natural aging process, cataracts begin developing in almost everyone before they reach the age of 60.

Most cataracts are associated with a gradual aging process in the natural lens of the eye over a period of years, and annual eye exams can best judge the progression of these changes. At this time, there is no current medical treatment for cataracts although the National Eye Institute (NEI) is funding studies to see whether taking certain vitamins and minerals can prevent or delay cataracts.

Common cataract symptoms

The detection of a cataract can only be accomplished by a thorough dilated eye examination. An eye physician must determine if your vision is being affected by a cataract or other eye disorders which may present similar vision problems. Patients with a family history of eye disorders, medical problems such as diabetes, or previous injuries to the eye are especially prone to vision problems.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in a sterile operating room. It takes approximately 30 minutes to perform. A very small incision into the eye is made to allow the insertion of a fine probe which then breaks the cataract up into small pieces that are easily removed. Next, an intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted into the same location where the cataract was removed. Like the natural lens of the eye, an IOL focuses images onto the retina, which are then transferred by the optic nerve to the brain. The IOL is made of a flexible silicone or acrylic material designed to be compatible with the natural eye tissue. Your IOL will hold the appropriate prescription providing you with the best vision possible. The cost of cataract surgery is generally covered by standard medical insurance policies, with the exception of co-pays and deductibles.

At least two weeks prior to surgery, a technician will measure your eyes in order to determine your IOL prescription. This measurement is called an ASCAN or LenSTAR. This measurement will allow your doctor to choose the type of IOL that is right for you. IOL types consist of standard, Monofocal, Multifocal, and Toric.

When Monofocals are chosen, the IOLs are set in order to improve distance vision. Therefore, you will likely use reading glasses to view objects up close. Likewise, if the IOLs are set to improve near vision, glasses will likely be used to clearly view objects from a distance. After the age of 40, a condition called Presbyopia takes effect on the eyes natural lens. Presbyopia weakens the flexibility of the lens, making near vision more difficult. Consequently, even without the presence of cataracts, reading glasses or an equivalent form of vision corrective surgery could be required.

Multifocal IOLs are embedded with a series of focal rings. The rings allow both near and far images to be seen clearly, based on where the incoming light is focused through the rings. The need to use glasses always varies from person to person, but is generally decreased with the use of Multifocal IOLs in both eyes. Usually it takes 6 to 12 weeks after surgery is completed on the second eye for the brain to fully adapt and for your vision to fully improve. This is true for all types of IOLs.

*Be aware that Multifocal lenses, while helping to improve both near and far vision, may allow for certain side effects such as halos around lights or decreased sharpness or contrast at night. Not all who use Multifocals are susceptible to these side effects, it just depends on how the brain adapts to your corrected vision. If you frequently drive at night or need to focus on near objects for an extended amount of time, you may be more satisfied with Monofocal IOLs.

The AcrySof IQ Toric IOLs are designed to correct corneal astigmatism, which is the inability of the eye to focus clearly at any distance because of different curvatures on the cornea. With astigmatism the cornea is curved like a football rather than round and smooth like a baseball. Toric lenses are most accommodating to those who have astigmatism to a substantial degree.

*We are proud to offer Multifocal Intraocular Lenses and IQ Toric intraocular Lenses. HOWEVER, please note that while cataract surgery is covered by insurance, these special lenses are not covered by insurance and will cost full price.

We offer surgical services at the following locations:

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This entry was posted on October 3, 2018 at 6:42 am and is filed under Opthalmology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed. |