Cataracts
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
Cataracts develop due to a clouding of the natural lens in our eyes. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, and in fact, everyone will develop cataracts with age.
We are all born with a natural lens in our eye and the lens does 2 things. The first is focusing light in the back of the eye, and the second is changing shape so we can focus at different distances. As a child, this lens is functioning at its best, allowing us to readily see at near and distance at the same time. As we age, the lens hardens and no longer changes shape as readily, making it difficult to see far and near. This is why we start becoming more dependent on reading glasses after the age of 40.
With time the lens get harder and denser and eventually becomes difficult to see through. This is what we call a cataract.
HOW ARE CATARACTS TREATED?
When cataracts start to affect your vision, they are removed with cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive surgery and is one of the most common surgeries done in the United States. The surgery is an outpatient surgery allowing you to return home the same day. During surgery, your ophthalmologist will remove the cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens implant. This implant is very safe for the eye and will last for the rest of your life.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT WITH CATARACT SURGERY?
Cataracts surgery is done at an outpatient surgery center and you can return home the same day. You will need to return to see your surgeon the day after surgery for a quick post-operative visit. You will need a driver the day of and the day after surgery. Your surgeon will recommend activities restrictions and drops for a few weeks after surgery.
Your vision may be blurry the day after surgery and then heal over the next week or two. This is one of the reasons, surgery is recommended only on one eye at a time.
WILL I BE ABLE TO GET RID OF GLASSES AFTER CATARACT SURGERY?
The technology of cataract surgery has significantly advanced in recent decades allowing a lot of options for patients in this day and age. During cataract surgery, your cataract is removed and is replaced with an intraocular lens implant. It is possible to use specialty intraocular lenses or other techniques to diminish your reliance on glasses after cataract surgery.
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STANDARD LENS
If you are happy wearing glasses and hope to continue to wear bifocals, the standard lens covered by insurance would be a good option for you. The goal for this lens is clearing up your vision with glasses. After cataract surgery, you will likely be a little more reliant on reading glasses, but can expect to see improvement in your vision with glasses.
SPECIALTY LENSES
For those who aim to get out of glasses, specialty lenses are a great option for you. Advancements in technology have made it possible to turn cataract surgery into an opportunity to diminish you reliance on glasses entirely. Specialty lenses are used to try to place your glasses prescription into the intraocular lens that replaces your cataract after surgery. There are a vast array of specialty lenses, but they can be broken down into two main categories: Toric lenses and Multifocal lenses.
TORIC LENS
Toric lenses are used for individuals who have astigmatism. Astigmatism is a condition where your eye is more football shaped than it is round, and glasses are required to correct this and give you your best possible distance vision. Toric lenses will place some of your astigmatism correction in your intraocular lens so that you can see at distance without glasses. The technology of toric intraocular lenses is wonderful, leading those who get these lenses to be extremely happy after cataract surgery.
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EXTENDED DEPTH OF FOCUS LENS
An extended depth of focus lens allows you to minimize glasses at multiple focal points. It will get you a range of vision without glasses, for example distance and intermediate. However, in this situation you would need reading glasses for up close vision. The lens is a well tolerated lens and often used in patients where other lenses may be contraindicated.
MULTIFOCAL LENSES
Multifocal lenses are a new advancing technology that clears your vision for distance and near after cataract surgery, minimizing your need for both distance and near glasses after cataract surgery. Diminishing your glasses dependence with these lenses is a very exciting benefit of cataract surgery and at Horizon Eye Center, we will help you find the lens that will help you reach your vision goals.
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The Light Adjustable Lens is an advanced technology that allows your prescription to be customized and adjusted after you heal from cataract surgery. The shape of the intraocular lens can be changed via applications of light from a laser after cataract surgery allowing you to have extremely accurate outcomes. It also allows you to test drive your vision before your prescription is locked in to the lens. To learn more about Light Adjustable Lenses, click here.
What is a cataract?
Ever wonder what a cataract is and how it may be affecting you? Watch this video from the American Academy of Ophthalmology for the answer. Want some more information about whether you may be affected by cataracts? Fill out the cataract questionnaire below or call to schedule an appointment today.