Cataract Surgery

Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision. Cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with more than 3 million Americans undergoing cataract surgery each year. Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain very good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40.

Artificial intraocular lenses, or IOLs, replace the eye’s natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery. Traditional IOL’s are monofocal, meaning they would improve only distance vision. One would still have to wear glasses or contacts for reading. The lenses available to you today are greatly improved allowing you to see near, far, and everywhere in-between without glasses or contacts.

Accommodating and Multifocal IOLs

There was a time when cataract surgery could only restore a patient’s distance vision. But today, thanks to the breakthrough AcrySof ReStor, Crystalens , and TECNIS Multifocal intraocular lens (IOL’s), you can enjoy crisp, clear, glasses-free vision from near to far. Unlike standard cataract replacement lenses, multifocal IOL lenses correct your cataracts and give you back your full range of vision. They focus like your eyes natural lens. Most patients never need glasses or contacts again!

Toric IOLs for Astigmatism

Astigmatism is a common condition that may cause blurred vision. The distorted vision is due to the eye’s cornea or lens having an irregular shape. The cornea and lens of a perfectly shaped eye have a smooth circular surface, like a ball. With astigmatism, the cornea or the lens will have more of an oblong, football-like shape.

Astigmatic patients with cataracts, however, can benefit by having the AcrySof Toric IOL implanted during their cataract and lens replacement surgery. With this type of implantation, one can treat the cataract and the astigmatism at the same time. The FDA approved the AcrySof IQ Toric IOL (Alcon) in September 2005.

Before, During and After Cataract Surgery

Prior to surgery, Dr. Patel will perform some tests to measure the curvature of the cornea as well as the size and shape of your eye. These tests will enable him to select the best type and refractive strength of IOL. Lens implantation will be done on one eye at a time.

During cataract surgery most people need minimal anesthesia and numbing drops without having to be put to sleep. Total surgery time usually lasts approximately 10 minutes. You will be given an anesthetic eye drop to numb the nerves in and around your eye. A special instrument known as a lid speculum is used to hold your eye open.

Rest assured that cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed today. A tiny incision is made, the natural clouded lens is removed, and a new lens implant is placed within the eye. Results should be permanent and life changing.

After surgery, a shield will be placed over your eye and you will be asked to rest for a short time. Since it is not recommended that you drive home after your surgery, you will want to have someone to drive you. Dr. Patel will prescribe special eye drops to aid in healing and to control pressure inside your eye. Most patients are back to their normal activities the very next day with total healing in about 6 weeks.

While you can return to your normal activities, you may experience some blurriness and may notice that colors are brighter. Within a few months after receiving an IOL, these issues should go away.

YAG Capsulotomy

Approximately one in four persons who have cataract surgery will develop cloudiness on the back of the implanted lens. This generally occurs within 5 years after surgery and there’s no way to know who develop this cloudiness. If it does happen, it can easily be corrected with an in-office procedure known as YAG posterior capulotomy. The laser creates an opening in the clouded capsule which allows light to pass through to the retina.

There is no pain involved in this surgery and generally takes only 5 minutes to perform. Improved vision is noticed right after the surgery and patients can return to normal activities immediately.