A cataract is a common condition that causes a clouding of the eye’s natural lens and affects millions of people each year. Cataracts cause a progressive, painless loss of vision. The lens naturally clouds with age, and by the age of 60 most people have started to develop a cataract. Other causes for cataract include trauma, certain medications, illnesses (such as diabetes), prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and smoking.

Diagnosing Cataracts

Your doctor may perform a series of tests in order to diagnose a cataract. This includes a detailed assessment of your vision, glasses and overall eye health. A dilated eye exam will be performed to carefully examine the lens for signs of cataract and to assess for any other eye diseases. Once a cataract is diagnosed, it will progressively worsen. However, this is often a slow process, and it may take years for you to notice any of the symptoms listed below. During this time, an annual eye exam is important to monitor cataracts and your overall eye health.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts can cause a variety of symptoms including:

• Blurred or hazy vision

• Double vision

• Poor vision in bright light

• Seeing halos around lights

• Poor vision at night

• Yellowish tinged vision

• Frequent changes in eyeglasses or contact lens prescription

Treatment of Cataracts: Cataract Surgery

When cataracts do begin to interfere with your ability to drive, read, work or do the things you enjoy, it is time to consider having cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is currently the only way to treat cataracts that are affecting your vision. Fortunately, the surgery is a minimally invasive, low risk, outpatient procedure with a success rate of 98%. Due to the extremely high prevalence of cataracts, it is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the US.

The goal of surgery is to remove the natural lens which has become cloudy due to a cataract. The natural lens serves a very important function of focusing images in the eye, so after it is removed, a new, clear artificial lens is placed into the eye to replace this focusing power. There are several options for these lens implants, which are described below. Often, this lens implant can reduce the reliance on glasses after cataract surgery.

We perform all cataract surgeries in our surgery center, housed at the Mansfield office. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires only light sedation. Surgery is done through micro-incisions on the surface of the eye, making the risks involved with surgery very low. Some of these risks may include pain, infection, swelling and bleeding. Most patients undergo this procedure without any complications.

Astigmatism Correction

Astigmatism is a term used to describe an error in focusing caused by changes on the surface of the eye. This results in blurred vision when not corrected. Options for treating astigmatism include glasses, contact lenses and surgery.

At the time of cataract surgery, astigmatism can be corrected in two ways, depending on its severity. For small amounts of astigmatism, a small incision can be made on the surface of the eye with a micro-blade. If larger amounts of astigmatism are present, a premium lens implant called a toric lens can be used.

Premium Lens Implants

The goal of a premium lens implant is to reduce the need for glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery. Premium lens implants are ideal for patients who have presbyopia, astigmatism or both.

• Toric Lens Implant: A toric lens implant is used to correct significant amounts of astigmatism as described above. It can easily be placed at the time of cataract surgery.

• Multifocal Lens Implant: Presbyopia is a condition which occurs with aging, where the natural lens can no longer change focus as we try to look from far to near. Most people notice this around the age of 40 and compensate for it by using reading glasses or bifocals. Specialty Multifocal lens implants now allow us to surgically correct presbyopia. These lens implants can provide a full range of clear vision, reducing or eliminating the need for reading glasses. Combination Toric and Multifocal lenses are also available.

• Light Adjustable Lens: We are pleased to offer the most advanced Premium Lens technology currently available: The Light Adjustable Lens. This breakthrough lens technology allows us to adjust the lens implant power AFTER surgery to precisely correct your vision through a series of treatments with UV (ultraviolet) lights. These treatments allow you to choose your visual outcome, typically allowing freedom from glasses after surgery. 

We offer several different options for premium lens implants available for cataract patients. Your doctor will work with you to decide which lens is best for your individual eyes to help you enjoy long-lasting, clear vision at near, intermediate and far distances. To speak with one of our doctors and discuss your options for cataract replacement lenses, please call us today to schedule a consultation.

Secondary Cataract and Laser Correction

After cataract surgery, some people experience a gradual recurrence of cloudy vision or glare symptoms. This is most often the result of a film or membrane forming on the lens implant placed at the time of cataract surgery, a condition known as secondary cataract or secondary membrane. Fortunately, an easy solution is available to treat this condition.

A procedure called a posterior capsulotomy, using an Nd: YAG laser, can be performed to remove the cloudy membrane, restoring clear vision. The procedure is quick, painless and does not require any anesthesia. It is done as an outpatient and has minimal risks or side effects. Most people with this condition notice a restoration of clear vision within hours following the procedure.