What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a change in the eye’s lens that renders it opaque. Cataracts rarely can occur from birth, but most often result from the aging of the eye. Cataracts can also develop from trauma, inflammation or diabetes. Cataracts are usually bilateral, but may not develop at the same rate.
Cataracts reduce vision by causing glare with loss of color vision and contrast. When this becomes severe enough to interrupt activities of daily living such as reading, driving or leisure activities, cataract surgery is often performed.
Cataract surgery restores vision by removing the opaque lens (cataract) and replacing it with a clear artificial lens (intraocular lens). To remove the cataract, its membranous lining is first peeled away. Next, the cataract is emulsified and removed through a tiny incision. This leaves only the shell of the natural lens which will hold the new artificial lens implant.
The implant or artificial lens is placed inside the remaining membranous bag. Its power is determined preoperatively. This provides an opportunity for cataract surgery to not only improve visual clarity, but in some cases also reduce nearsightedness or farsightedness.
The result is improved vision and a more functional lifestyle.
REFRACTIVE CATARACT SURGERY
Traditional Cataract Surgery
All cataract surgery requires the placement of lens implants to replace the defective natural lens (your cataract) removed with surgery. Traditional cataract surgery involves placement of a monofocal lens implant. This means the implant will focus for only one distance. Most often, this is set for distance vision, so near or intermediate vision will require the use of a bifocal or reading glasses.
Cataract Surgery to Improve Unaided Near, Intermediate and Distance Vision
For patients wishing to reduce dependency on glasses after cataract surgery there is the ReSTOR or a variety of “multifocal” lens implants designed to provide unaided “full focus” vision for distance, intermediate and near. These implant styles are referred to as “premium implants”.
Multifocal premium implants produce different focal lengths within the lens implant.
The ReSTOR implant changes it focal length by adjusting its position within the eye. This occurs by attaching the ReSTOR to the original fine musculature and support mechanism of the natural lens. The eye’s natural physiology is then able to adjust the ReSTOR implant for different working distances. In some cases, if a small glasses correction remains after ReSTOR surgery, LASIK can be performed to enhance the uncorrected vision.
Comprehensive Medical and Surgical Eye Care
Our Ophthalmology department provides comprehensive medical and surgical eye care for a broad range of eye problems including diabetic eye care, glaucoma, and other diseases related to aging eyes. Our Board Certified Ophthalmologists are medical doctors specially trained and skilled in providing total eye care such as performing comprehensive vision exams, diagnosing of eye diseases and disorders, and performing medical and surgical procedures when necessary. This includes elective refractive procedures such as LASIK, CK and ReSTOR. Our doctors and certified medical staff know the importance of maintaining healthy eyes and are committed to working with you to achieve the best outcome to meet your individual eye care needs.
Services
• Cataract Surgery
• Glaucoma
• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Emergency eye problems
• Pediatric Ophthalmology
Refractive Services
• LASIK
• Verisyse (surgery for extreme nearsighteness)
• Rezoom and ReSTOR
• Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) to reduce the need for reading glasses after age 40