What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye and is considered a normal part of the aging process. When light rays enter a healthy eye, they pass through the naturally clear lens where they are focused onto the retina to provide a clear image. When light rays enter an eye with a cataract, they are distorted which creates a hazy or blurred image.
When is time to think about cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is recommended once your vision starts to interfere with your daily activities. An examination by your eye doctor along with a discussion of your vision complaints will determine if it is time to proceed with surgery.
Some of the common symptoms patients with cataracts experience include:
- Sensitivity to glare from headlights
- Difficulty seeing a computer screen or phone
- Trouble reading without additional light
- Colors appearing dim or yellowed
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions
How is cataract surgery performed?
Our surgeons, Eric J. Poulsen, MD and Azhar I. Salahuddin, MD are both board-certified and utilize advanced surgical methods to make the procedure quick, pain-free, with no need for stitches. During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens is removed with a technique called phacoemulsification. This process uses a small instrument that emits high-frequency ultrasound to break-up and gently remove the cataract material. Once the cataract is completely removed, it is replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens implant (IOL). The entire surgery is completed in just 15 to 30 minutes and when it’s over, most patients can almost immediately see an improvement in their vision.
Is Cataract Surgery Safe?
Every surgery, no matter the success rate, has certain complications and a risk factor associated. Keeping that in mind, cataract surgeries have a 98% success rate, and have only improved with advanced technology and experienced surgeons available to perform them. It is safe to say that this type of surgery is extremely safe.
What Can I Expect after Cataract Surgery?
Immediately after the cataract surgery, you are bound to feel a slight irritation due to a build-up of pressure in the eye, but this will inevitably subside once you get adequate rest and stick to using medication and eye drops prescribed by the doctor. You will also be recommended to wear dark glasses and have someone drive you home after the procedure.
Will I need glasses after my cataract surgery?
With today’s technological advances, patients have more options than ever when it comes to their vision after cataract surgery. Our surgeons offer a variety of intraocular lens implants (IOLs) that are designed to meet your different vision needs.
- Monofocal IOL – This lens implant is designed to correct vision for a single distance. After surgery, patients will still need glasses to see well at near. If the patient has astigmatism, they may also need glasses for driving and other activities that require sharp distance vision.
- Toric IOL – When light passes through a cornea with astigmatism, the image does not focus sharply on the back of the eye. The ToricIOL helps to correct the eye’s astigmatism. This lens will provide you with less dependence on glasses for distance, but you may still need glasses to see well at near after surgery.
- Multifocal IOL – The design of the multifocal IOL allows for clear vision at both distance and near. Most patients who choose to go with the multifocal lens implant have little or no need for glasses after cataract surgery.
How Soon Will My Vision Improve after Cataract Surgery?
The surgery is bound to show its results soon after adequate rest is taken on the part of the patient. Vision tends to improve significantly with the first couple of weeks, and within a month, you will be able to enjoy absolutely clear vision.
What are the Long Term Effects of Cataract Surgery?
During the surgery the outer lens is kept in place in order to hold up the artificial lens implant. There is a slight chance that the outer lens could start to cloud up 8 months to a year after the surgery. This can be cured painlessly and easily with the help of YAG laser to restore vision.
What is LenSx?
LenSx is an infrared laser known as femtosecond laser, which is specifically designed preform a cataract surgery to perfection, in order to restore vision besides reducing chances of astigmatism. Using LenSx beats the traditional method involved in a cataract surgery as it helps to customize the surgery to the patient’s ocular anatomy, helping surgeons carrying out the refractive surgery with a greater degree of precision.
The benefits of using LenSx are as follows:
- It provides a customized solution for a cataract surgery, as the surgery can vary from eye to eye depending on the ocular anatomy.
- It provides for greater precision and the laser makes it possible for an accurate execution of the surgery.
- The laser works in a manner that makes the surgery more effective and safe for the patient than traditional cataract surgery.
- With the help of a laser, it becomes fairly easy to place the artificial lens (preferably an premium intraocular lens) and restore vision.
Who is a Candidate for LenSx Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser eye surgery has helped millions of people see better without the need for contacts and eye glasses. Anyone with blurriness, trouble distinguishing between colors, inability to read or perform everyday tasks with clarity, is eligible for a LenSx laser cataract surgery.
Contact our team at Insight Vision Center, the eye care center in Fresno to book an appointment for cataract eye surgery.
