Cataract Surgery

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Cataract symptoms may lessen with new glasses, better lighting or magnifying lenses, but surgery is the only effective treatment for entirely removing cataracts.

Because cataracts develop slowly, you should consider removal when the vision loss affects everyday activities, like driving or reading. Our doctors will discuss the risks and benefits of surgery and help you determine when the time is right.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. The surgeon makes a tiny incision to enter the eye through the cornea (the clear front part of the eye) and remove the cataract by breaking it up with an ultrasound machine. Then a new clear prosthetic lens implant is placed into the eye to restore vision. During traditional cataract surgery, the surgeon manually performs all parts of the surgery.

Most people will use eye drops for a few weeks after surgery. Restrictions include no heavy lifting, straining, pressure on the eye, eye rubbing, eye makeup and swimming for at least a week. Your vision will be blurry immediately after surgery then clear significantly over the next few days.

Cataract surgery is not routinely performed on both eyes the same day. Typically, the procedures are done a few weeks apart.

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

In laser-assisted cataract surgery, your surgeon uses a laser to assist in several steps of cataract surgery. Use of the laser is gentle and does not cause any pain.

The laser can create the corneal incisions used to enter the eye, make a well centered capsular opening and break up the cataract. The laser can also make small partial thickness corneal incisions to decrease low levels of astigmatism. Using a laser to assist in cataract surgery increases accuracy and precision.

Benefits

• Laser-assisted corneal incisions increase accuracy over manual incisions
• Laser-assisted capsular opening is well-centered, round and of a certain diameter will allow the new lens implant to be in the proper position long term
• Laser-assisted cataract fragmentation decreases the amount of ultrasound energy used by your surgeon, which reduces the likelihood of ocular damage or delayed healing
• Laser-assisted astigmatism correction

Overall, laser-assisted cataract surgery increases accuracy and precision to improve your vision and reduce your dependency on glasses.

Your Options

You can choose from many different types of lens implants that correct a combination of distance, intermediate and near vision as well as astigmatism. Not everyone is a candidate for every lens. Before surgery, your surgeon will discuss lens choices with you.

Laser Cataract Surgery with Multifocal Lens Implants

• Corrects for distance, intermediate and near vision
• Provides freedom from glasses for most activities but may be required for some tasks
• Most advanced lens technology
• Can be combined with astigmatism correction if needed

Laser Cataract Surgery with Astigmatism Correcting (Toric) Lens Implants

• Decreases astigmatism with lens implant
• Less dependency on glasses for distance
• Expect glasses for near and intermediate vision

Laser Arcuate Incisions with Lens Implants

• Decreases astigmatism with laser corneal incisions
• Less dependency on glasses for distance
• Expect glasses for near and intermediate vision

Traditional Cataract Surgery

• Glasses may be expected after surgery for all distances
• Standard monodical lens implant with single distance vision
• Cost covered by insurance after deductible, co-pays, & requirements are met.

Financing options are available.

Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery

If you also have glaucoma, we perform minimally invasive glaucoma surgery at the time of your cataract surgery. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery helps lower intraocular pressure and prevents your glaucoma from worsening.

During minimally invasive glaucoma surgery the drainage area of the eye is opened or stented to allow fluid to flow out of the eye and prevent fluid buildup and high eye pressures. This only adds a few minutes to cataract surgery. Some minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries can also be done separately from cataract surgery.