Cataract and Multifocal Lens Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens of the eye. Once the lens becomes opaque, it interferes with the passage of light into the eye resulting in impaired vision.

Most cataracts are caused by the eye’s natural aging process. Other causes of cataracts include radiation, diabetes, systemic diseases, injury to the eye or certain medications.

The amount of cloudiness within the lens may vary, but common visual impairments include:

• Blurred vision
• Glare and reduced vision in bright light
• Halos around lights
• Double vision in one eye
• Frequent eyeglass prescription changes
• Poor night vision
• Need for brighter light when reading
• Fading of colors

MODERN CATARACT SURGERY

Modern cataract surgery involves a “No injection, no stitch, no patch” procedure. Prior to surgery, the eye is anesthetized with anesthetic eye drops that allow patients to see well within minutes following surgery. Since there are no injections, the risk of a needle damaging any part of the visual system is eliminated.

A small probe is then inserted into the eye through a tiny, microsurgical incision and emulsifies the cataract to vacuum it out gently — a process called phacoemulsification. Since this self-sealing, microsurgical incision is used to remove the cataract no uncomfortable stitches are required and there are virtually no post-operative restrictions with this treatment.

An intraocular lens, or IOL, is inserted to replace the lens (such as the ReSTOR IOL). The IOL will act in the same way as the natural lens once did to focus images clearly onto the back of the eye.

Using these advanced methods, no obtrusive patches are necessary during the healing process. Vision usually returns within minutes after the procedure. Many of our patients can return to their normal activities immediately following cataract surgery.