WHAT IS CATARACT SURGERY?

Cataract surgery is used to address diminished vision cause by cataracts, and is very successful in doing so. Over three million Americans undergo cataract surgery every year, making it the most frequently conducted surgery in the U.S.

Standard IOL technology provides a focal point at a distance, leaving patients to depend on bifocals or reading glasses in order to see up close. Cutting-edge Presbyopic Correcting IOL’s however offer better vision at a wide range of distances. These lenses utilize technology similar to microscopes and telescopes, with tiny rings radiating outward from the center of the lens. Called apodized diffractive technology, these rings disperse light, creating excellent vision at a variety of focal points.

The Crystalens HD was designed to improve near vision without affecting vision at intermediate or far distances. Bausch & Lomb also claims that this HD version causes fewer glares and halos at night than other IOLs. In 2010, the Crystalens Aspheric Optic was introduced. The elongated shape of the AO is designed to reduce distorted vision and improve contrast sensitivity

WHAT IS ASTIGMATISM ?

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your cornea — the clear, round dome covering the eye’s iris and pupil — or in the shape of the eye’s lens. Normally, the cornea and lens are smooth and curved equally in all directions, helping to focus light rays sharply onto the retina at the back of your eye. However, if your cornea or lens isn’t smooth and evenly curved, light rays aren’t refracted properly. This is called a refractive error.

CAN MY ASTIGMATISM BE CORRECTED DURRING CATARACT SURGERY?

For cataract patients with astigmatism, the surgical removal of the cataract and implantation of a new lens will correct clouded vision. However, patients are often still left with distorted, blurry vision requiring glasses or contact lenses.

The Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) was developed specifically for these patients, using an advanced aspheric optic design that improves vision and increases contrast sensitivity for patients with astigmatism.

Not only will your vision no longer be cloudy, your distance vision can also be clearer and more vibrant, without the need for glasses or removable contact lenses.

WILL I NEED READING GLASSES AFTER CATARACT SURGERY?

The Multifocal IOL’s are one of the newest FDA-approved presbyopia-correcting IOLs , and allows patients to have excellent vision at near, intermediate and far distances without the use of glasses. The Multifocal implantable IOL’s even work well in low light.

Due to the explosion in the lens implant technology mentioned above, it has never been an more exciting time for patients in need of cataract surgery or elective lens replacement. Unlike just a few short years ago, patients now have the opportunity if they elect, to significantly decrease their dependence on glasses or contacts following cataract or lens implant surgery. It is also more important than ever that your surgeon not only be skilled in cataract surgery, but also that he or she be equally skilled in refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK.

In simple terms, your surgeon needs to be comfortable and skilled with a wide array of techniques. Too many patients have these lenses implanted by surgeons unwilling or incapable of achieving for you all that is possible. Do not make that mistake.

Additionally, elective lens replacement is fast becoming the procedure of choice for patients in the age range of early cataract, or those whose glasses prescription is not in the “comfort zone” of the modern day lasers used in LASIK or PRK. This due to the simple fact that lens replacement surgery is a well established surgery that in these patients not only accomplishes the goal of spectacle independence, bur removes any future possibility of cataracts,