Cataract Treatment
Cataract Technology
In the early stages, cataracts might simply require a stronger eyeglass or lens prescription, force you to turn on brighter lights, or use a magnifying glass. You might also reduce glare by repositioning lights indoors or by wearing polarized sunglasses outside. For patients with posterior subcapsular cataracts, the use of dilating eye drops can help keep their pupils large, thus allowing more light into the eyes.
Depending on the severity of your vision loss, you may be able to delay surgery for a while, but eventually, surgery may be inevitable, as lenses and glasses will never reverse the process. Talk to us about when surgery may no longer be avoidable for your own safety and quality of life.
Cataract Surgery Procedure
The cataract surgery procedure is very common throughout most of the world. The surgeon makes a tiny incision on the side of the cornea, removes the eye's clouded natural lens (using a procedure known as phacoemulsification), and then replaces it with an artificial Intraocular Lens (IOL). Phacoemulsification is the most common technique used today. Because the incision is less than an eighth of an inch, stitches are not typically required and the eye heals quickly. In 97 percent of cases, no complications occur.1 Innovative new tools, like the LenSx® Laser may help increase surgeons’ precision for even better outcomes.
Click on the play button to see how the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL works.
Fortunately, modern procedures are outpatient, lasting only 15 to 30 minutes, and cause little to no pain. They even allow you to return to work the same day, if you choose.
If you have cataracts in both eyes, we may recommend surgery on the weaker eye first, and then complete the second round after the first eye has healed.
Visit our page on Intraocular Lenses (IOLs).
References
- Med Market Diligence, November 2006. (See page 59 of CataractSurgery.com PDF). Accessed October 20, 2010.