cataracts

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed by eye surgeons today. At Crystal Clear Eye Surgeons, we can perform cataract surgery as soon as it interferes with your quality of life.

The operation is simple. The surgeon makes a tiny incision in the eye. Through the tiny incision, the surgeon inserts an instrument about the size of a pen tip. Once the cataract, or cloudy lens, is removed, a replacement lens is inserted through the same tiny incision and set into position to replace the natural lens.

INTRAOCULAR LENSES

An Intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens that is implanted into the eye of someone to replace a damaged natural lens or someone who has had a cataract removed. In general there are two types of IOLs:  Monofocal and Multifocal.

Monofocal IOLs

Monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs), or traditional lenses, offer vision at one distance, meaning you will have improved vision for either far, intermediate or near sight, but not a combination of all three. That being said, a monofocal lens still offers a great improvement over the cloudy, blurred vision of the cataractous lens. This also means that you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to use a computer, read or view object at or past arm’s length.

Multifocal IOLs

Recent FDA approvals of newer versions of multifocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) for cataract surgery mean even more options are available for people who want to reduce or possibly eliminate their dependence on eyeglasses or contacts. Multifocal IOLs change the way light is directed depending on where it falls on the IOL’s different zones. This lets your eye achieve focus at multiple distances.

If you are a good candidate for a multifocal IOL and you choose this option, the type your cataract surgeon recommends will likely depend on your unique circumstances, lifestyle and vision correction needs.

Common Questions

Having a basic understanding of cataract surgery before the procedure will help facilitate the conversation, as will having some prepared questions, such as:

• How advanced are my cataracts?
• Which type of intraocular lens (IOL) would I benefit most from?
• Will any of my current prescriptions or over-the-counter drugs complicate the surgery or recovery process?
• What will my vision be like after recovery?
• How much does cataract surgery cost?
• What is the post-surgery follow-up process?