Cataracts and Premium Lens Implants
Cataract Eye Surgery
Cataract Eye Surgery –Cataracts are patches that form in the eye's crystalline lens and are caused by changes in water and proteins that make up the lens. Over time, cataracts cloud the lens and do not allow light to reach the retina, producing blurred vision. Today's cataract surgery is painless, offers shorter recovery time, and the results can reduce or possibly eliminate you need for glasses or contact lenses.
At first, it may seem as though a new pair of glasses or contact lenses will take care of the problem, but this is a temporary solution because these measures don't address the cataract directly. The only treatment that directly treats cataracts is cataract surgery, which involves removing the natural lens of the eye and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL). An intraocular lens will remain in the eye for life and will need no particular care. It will simply be a part of your eye.
Premium Implantable Lenses / IOL's
If you have been told that you have cataracts or if your doctor suggested that a refractive lens exchange would be a good way to correct your vision, the premium intraocular lens (IOL) technology of today has made some advancements that can dramatically improve your ability to see at all ranges. Some of these intraocular lens implants might even be a better vision correction option than LASIK eye surgery depending on your prescription and age. LASIK can correct myopia, hyperopia and astigmatism, but not presbyopia, or the need for reading or intermediate glasses after surgery. The new premium multifocal and accommodating lens implants available through Eyesight Ophthalmic Services can reduce, or even eliminate the need for distance AND reading or intermediate glasses. We offer Crystalens and ReSTOR premium lens implants for correction of vision at all ranges as well as the AcrySof Toric lens for correction of astigmatism.
Description of Cataract Examination and Surgery
There will be a preliminary visit where eye measurements are taken and a decision will be made about which type of IOL (intraocular lens) will be best. This will be determined by your lifestyle and expectations after the procedure as well as the overall health of your eye.
The actual procedure is done in a hospital. The day of surgery, you will need to check in at the hospital to register and then you will be brought to the operating room waiting area. Several doctors and nurses may speak with you, and several consent forms must be signed prior to surgery. Before surgery, the surgeon will go through the procedure step-by-step so that you will know what will be taking place.
An intravenous line will be placed in your arm and several eye drops will be placed in your eye. A stretcher will then take you to the operating room. After you are situated comfortably on the operating table, you will be given oxygen and given medication through your intravenous line to make you drowsy. You will be awake for the surgery, but will not feel any pain.
The eye and skin will be cleaned and a drape will be placed over your body exposing only the eye that is to be operated on. The clouded natural lens (cataract) is removed, and then the IOL is positioned. It will take about 10 to 15 minutes.
A gauze patch, eye shield, or sunglasses will be placed over the operated eye and you will be transported to the recovery area. You will be there about 45 minutes before you are ready to go home. The entire time spent at the hospital will be roughly 2 hours.
After the Surgery
You will be astounded at the improvement in your vision. It will be evident within the first day, although you may feel like taking the rest of the day off to recover. You can return to work after one or two days.
We will give you several follow-up appointments to make sure that everything moves forward normally. The first appointment will be the day after the cataract eye surgery. Your vision may be good enough to drive to the follow up appointment, however you might ask your surgeon if you are not sure. It is best to take it easy on your eyes and avoid swimming and other vigorous physical activity for at least one week after surgery. Also it is best to avoid getting water, shampoo, etc. into the eyes. However, it is okay to use lubricating (artificial tears) eye drops. If you are unsure about other actions regarding your eyes, please contact us.
It is not unusual to experience watering, a foreign body or a scratchy sensation in the eye for the first few weeks after surgery as the eye heals. It will improve with time. It is normal to see some redness in your eye after surgery - this will clear in a few days. Additionally, temporary floating spots and brief flashes are common the first week following surgery and there are some side effects for several weeks, while your eye becomes used to its new lens. You may experience some blurry vision, increased sensitivity to bright light, or more dryness of the eyes as time goes on. If necessary, we can do some follow-up procedures, but in almost all cases, the immediate result is astounding and remains that way, so that no further action is needed.
Eyesight Ophthalmic Services have been in the forefront of vision correction for over 20 years now. We offer unmatched experience utilizing the best available technology in cataract eye surgery, including the latest in IOLs that will work best for your vision correction needs. The types of lenses available today are so advanced that they are even attracting those individuals who don't have cataracts, but want to decrease their dependence on glasses for all ranges, such as distance, intermediate and near ranges. This can often eliminate the need for glasses and even bifocals.