Cataract Surgery at Shady Grove Ophthalmology
Do You Need Cataract Surgery?
The eye contains a clear lens that allows light to pass through, enabling you to see. When this lens loses its transparency and becomes cloudy, it forms a cataract. Cataracts lead to a gradual and painless decline in vision. While the lens naturally becomes cloudier with age—causing vision issues in many individuals over 65—the exact cause of cataracts is still not fully understood. In younger individuals, cataracts can develop due to injury, specific treatments, or medical conditions like diabetes. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light may also play a role in the formation of cataracts.
Signs you may have cataracts
Although cataracts usually develop without apparent pain, some indications that a cataract may be forming are:
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- Blurred or cloudy vision
- Increased difficulty seeing at night
- Sensitivity to light or glare
- Seeing halos around lights (often at night)
- Colors appear faded or yellowed
- Difficulty reading or recognizing faces
- Needing more light for reading or other activities
- Frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription
If visual impairment interferes with your ability to read, work, or do the things you enjoy, then you will want to consider cataract surgery. Surgery is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts. Cataract surgery is relatively painless and is one of the most frequently performed procedures. It has a very high success rate, and over 90 percent of cataract surgery patients regain proper vision.
Understanding Cataracts and Cataract Surgery
Below is Cataracts an Overview video.
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What is the Treatment For Cataracts?
The primary treatment for cataracts is surgical removal. Cataract surgery is a safe and effective procedure where the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. This outpatient procedure typically takes less than an hour and requires minimal recovery time. Modern techniques, such as phacoemulsification, use ultrasound technology to break up and remove the cataract, making the process even less invasive.
For those in the early stages of cataract development, non-surgical options like prescription glasses, anti-glare lenses, or brighter lighting may help manage symptoms temporarily. However, once cataracts begin to significantly impair daily activities and quality of life, surgery is usually recommended.
Pre- Operative Testing
We pride ourselves on having the most state-of-the-art technology available for our patients. During your consult advanced biometric testing was done to help Dr. Roberts select the best lens power to correct myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism.
Laser Cataract Surgery
The femtosecond laser has revolutionized cataract surgery. Traditional cataract surgery requires the surgeon to perform very precise incisions and break up the cataract using a hand-held metal or diamond blades in combination with ultrasound technology. The laser is also used to soften the cataract with very precise laser pulses which break up the cataract into very tiny pieces. With this use of the laser to soften the cataract it allows for a more gentle removal of the lens therefore less strain on the eye. Using a computer-guided laser helps automate this entire process and allows for a truly customized cataract removal treatment.
Laser Astigmatism Correction
Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is not spherical in shape and has a relatively similar shape to a football. This is usually corrected with glasses, contact lenses, or surgery. The femtosecond laser is approved to correct astigmatism with advanced computer guidance that creates small limbal relaxing incisions. It helps to relax areas of corneal steepening that causes corneal astigmatism.
Laser-Assisted Removal of the Cataract
Dr. Roberts will use the femtosecond laser to create a precise circular opening in the natural lens. Studies show that this opening is much more accurate when performed with the laser resulting in a more precise and accurate visual outcome. Once the laser has gained access to the cataract inside the natural lens, the laser then softens the cataract by breaking it up into small pieces. This allows for a gentler and easier removal of the cataract with less stress on the eye itself.
Goals for Cataract Surgery
Dr. Roberts and his surgical team will develop and tailor a customized treatment plan based on your lifestyle and vision goals. This plan will be based on the health of your eye and your desired vision after surgery.
- Restore Clear Vision: The primary goal of cataract surgery is to remove and replace the cloudy lens with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL), significantly improving visual clarity.
- Enhance Quality of Life: By restoring vision, cataract surgery allows patients to regain their independence, making it easier to perform everyday activities like reading, driving, and recognizing faces.
- Reduce Dependence on Glasses: With advancements in IOL technology, many patients experience reduced dependence on glasses or contact lenses after surgery, especially for tasks like reading or driving.
- Address Refractive Errors: Specialized IOLs, such as toric lenses, can correct astigmatism, while multifocal and accommodating lenses can improve near and distance vision.
- Minimize Risks and Complications: Cataract surgery aims to provide safe, effective outcomes with minimal discomfort and a low risk of complications, ensuring a smooth recovery process.
- Prevent Further Vision Loss: The surgery can prevent continued vision deterioration and help maintain long-term eye health by removing cataracts early.
We will strive to meet your visual goals with modern technological testing, laser-assisted cataract surgery, advanced technology intraocular lenses, and our knowledgeable team.
What is Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (LACS)?
Laser-assisted cataract surgery (LACS), also known as femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS), is an advanced technique that uses laser technology to perform various steps of cataract surgery with greater precision compared to traditional methods. In LACS, a femtosecond laser is used to create precise incisions, soften the cataract, and fragment the cloudy lens, which is then removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL).
Benefits of Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
Improved Precision and Safety
The laser creates more accurate incisions and a perfectly round opening in the lens capsule, reducing the risk of complications.
Reduced Energy and Trauma to the Eye
The laser softens the cataract before removal, minimizing the use of ultrasound energy, which can lower the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.
Customized Treatment
Real-time imaging and 3D mapping help the surgeon tailor the procedure to the specific anatomy of each patient’s eye.
Faster Recovery
Patients often experience less swelling and a quicker recovery period after cataract surgery compared to traditional cataract surgery.
Is Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery Right for You?
Although LACS offers several benefits, it may not be suitable for everyone. Patients with certain eye conditions or those who cannot tolerate the additional cost may opt for traditional cataract surgery, which remains highly effective. Dr. Roberts will discuss your options during your visit and recommend the best approach to meet your unique needs and lifestyle. Everyone is different, and it is important that the right approach is taken to achieve the best overall results for each patient.
However, laser-assisted cataract surgery is now the recommended method for many. It is relatively painless and provides extremely good results. If you are having issues with your vision or have been diagnosed with cataracts, contact Dr. Roberts at Shady Grove Ophthalmology for an eye consultation.
Below is an informational video that discusses traditional cataract surgery versus laser-assisted
Intraocular Lenses (IOLS)
An intraocular lens (IOL) is an artificial lens implanted in the eye to replace the natural lens when it becomes cloudy due to a cataract. It is a small, clear, and flexible lens that helps restore vision by focusing light properly onto the retina, which is essential for clear vision.
INTRAOCULAR Lens (IOL) Options
Materials continue to improve, becoming more pliable and biostable and giving lens makers greater freedom to address specific vision needs. The earliest IOLs were made of thermal plastic, a material that improved dramatically over the years but still had inherent restrictions for microsurgery. Today’s state-of-the-art acrylics offer better plasticity and stability and give surgeons superior control during microsurgery.
IOLs are made of materials like silicone or acrylic and are designed to last a lifetime. There are different types of IOLs, including:
- Monofocal IOLs: Correct vision at a single distance (usually far), so you may still need glasses for close-up tasks.
- Multifocal and Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs: Provide vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses.
- Toric IOLs: Specifically designed to correct astigmatism, which is when the cornea has an irregular shape.
During cataract surgery, Dr. Roberts removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an IOL. This allows light to enter the eye correctly again, resulting in clearer vision. This common and safe procedure helps millions of people regain their eyesight each year.
Extended Depth of Focus IOL (Vivity)
The Vivity intraocular lens is a new intraocular lens that uses proprietary, non-diffractive technology called X-Wave. With X-Wave, the user can see with all available light, resulting in an uninterrupted range of vision. This includes when you’re in bright and dim lighting. That means you’ll achieve excellent distance and in-between vision and be able to see well up close. With other IOLs, the light is split into several separate focal points. This often results in patients seeing visual aberrations like glare, starbursts, and halos around lights, even after cataract surgery. Patients who choose the Vivity lens report fewer visual disturbances.
Another advantage of this premium lens is that the X-Wave technology protects your eyes from the sun’s UV rays and damaging blue light from digital devices. The Vivity lens also comes in a toric lens model for patients with astigmatism to ensure that astigmatism is corrected during cataract surgery.
For patients that suffer from astigmatism, Shady Grove Ophthalmology may suggest the Alcon ArcySof IQ Toric which provides stability and exceptional performance.
AcrySof IQ PanOptix IOL provides vision correction at all distances with reduced need for glasses. Learn more!