An Introduction to Cataracts
Developing a cataract doesn’t mean a permanent loss of vision quality. You no longer have to give up the activities you love due to poor vision. Cataract surgery is safe and effective way to improve your vision.
Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States and well over 2 million people have cataract surgery each year. This type of surgery is almost exclusively performed on an Outpatient basis. Cataract surgery is considered microsurgery, whereby the natural lens is removed and is replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). Topical anesthetic is used and there are no stitches involved, so recovery is quick and painless! In most cases, you will be able to resume normal activities the day after surgery!
For many years, patients undergoing cataract removal surgery had limited choices as to how to correct their vision after surgery. Most would have a monofocal intraocular lens implant that would only allow them to focus on one segment of the vision spectrum – usually for distance, or would wear very thick glasses, or contact lenses. Glasses were still required for near and middle vision tasks, such as reading or computer work.
Advanced developments in vision technology are starting to make the old monofocal lenses obsolete. A new generation of intraocular lens implants, or Premium IOLs, are rapidly becoming the GOLD STANDARD for people undergoing cataract removal surgery today. These lenses give the patient the ability to focus at near, middle, and far distances, without the need for additional correction such as glasses and bifocals.
Laser Cataract Surgery with CATALYS®
The doctors at Maynor & Mitchell Eye Center offer laser cataract surgery using the CATALYS® laser. Laser cataract surgery provides more precise, accurate results than traditional surgical techniques. The CATALYS® features the INTEGRAL GUIDANCE System™, which creates 3-D images of patients’ eyes before and during surgery so our doctors can provide the best possible results. In addition to offering greater precision, laser cataract surgery results in cleaner incisions, reducing recovery time and enhancing healing.
AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL
Now there is another way for presbyopic patients to restore near, middle, and distance vision: AcrySof® ReSTOR® implantable lenses. ReSTOR® lenses use a patented design that employs adopization, diffractive, and refractive technologies. Diffraction refers to the process of “bending” light to focus on different points, while adopization refers to the tiny steps or changes in diffraction radiating out from the center of the ReSTOR® lens. In simple terms, adopized refraction means that the ReSTOR® lens interprets the level of light entering the eye and focuses the light on the appropriate part of the retina to give you clear, accurate vision at all distances. The end result is true freedom from glasses!
In clinical trials, 80% of patients receiving ReSTOR® implantable lenses did not need to wear glasses, compared with 8% of patients receiving single-vision implantable lenses. If you are interested in learning more about how ReSTOR® lenses can help you get rid of those reading glasses, give us a call today!
AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL
Until recently, the only viable solution to correcting astigmatism after cataract surgery was glasses or contact lenses. Both of which can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and expensive. Now with the technology of the AcrySof IQ Toric IOL, most corneal astigmatism can be corrected at the time of surgery with the implant itself! This allows the patient to see clearly at distance with only the need for over the counter reading glasses after surgery.
The technology behind the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL offers cataract patients with preexisting astigmatism precise vision correction that reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and delivers significantly improved distance vision without the need for glasses or contacts. You’ll also be able to enjoy improved image quality thanks to the lens’ new aspheric design.
With the AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL, your distance vision can be clear, vibrant and in focus, all with just one lens!
Crystalens® HD Accommodating IOL
The Crystalens Accommodating IOL is the first and only FDA approved accommodating lens implant. Accommodating means that it works in conjunction with your eyes natural ciliary muscle to “flex” the lens – giving you a full range of vision! You’ll be able to see again at all distances much like you did in your 20’s and 30’s… distance, near, and in between!
