If the lens becomes cloudy, the light reaching the retina is blurred and distorted, and your vision is affected. This clouded lens is called a cataract, and it must be removed before vision can be restored. A clouded lens can be compared to a window that is frosted or "fogged" with steam. Cataracts are not cancerous. They can be treated with a surgical procedure that has become a fairly common procedure in the United States. The most common types of cataracts are: nuclear sclerotic, cortical, and posterior subcapsular. Depending on the type of cataract, a patient will experience different vision problems, but the most common cataract symptoms include: blurring vision sensitivity to light or glare double vision in one eye poor night vision needing brighter light to read experiencing fading or yellowing of colors.
If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that you have a cataract. When a cataract is removed, a clear intraocular lens is placed in the eye. Traditional intraocular lenses (IOLs) are monofocal, meaning they offer clear vision at one distance only, usually distance. They are definitely an improvement over the cloudy lens that is replaced during surgery. But with traditional intraocular lenses, you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses in order to read, use the computer, or view objects in the middle distance. The Eye Center offers scientific advancements in cataract surgery which give you the opportunity of seeing well at more than one distance, and in some cases, reduce your dependency of glasses or contacts. Until recently, the only viable vision corrections after cataract surgery were eyeglasses or contact lenses, both of which are not only inconvenient in terms of lifestyle, but can also be expensive over a lifetime. PRECISION CATARACT SURGERY Accommodating IOLs: After the age of 40, many patients experience some vision difficulty due to loss of accommodation in their natural lens. This reduces the eye's ability to switch focus from near to far and in-between. Today, presbyopia can be corrected at the same time as cataracts by placement of an accommodating lens such as the CrystaLens. A CrystaLens may provide vision at distance, intermediate, and close-up with little if any need for glasses or contacts after surgery. Aspheric IOLs: Traditional IOLs are spherical, meaning the front surface is curved. Aspheric IOLs are flatter in the periphery and are designed to provide better contrast sensitivity. This lens is monofocal and is ideal for people who want sharp distance vision and night vision and don't mind depending on glasses for reading. Toric IOLs: For cataract patients with astigmatism (irregular curvature of the cornea), successful cataract surgery is only half the battle for regaining quality vision. The astigmatism-correcting IOL offers correction that reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism and may deliver improved distance vision without glasses or contacts. This lens requires glasses for reading. Monovision: This involves implanting an IOL in one eye that provides near vision and an IOL in the other eye that provides distance vision. Usually people can adjust to this type of vision. Patients who do best with this method of lens replacement are those already used to wearing monovision contact lenses. Astigmatic Keratotomy/Limbal Relaxing Incisions: This method of astigmatism correction involves surgical incisions at certain locations along the circumference of the cornea. These incisions flatten the cornea where it is too steep, giving clearer vision. Good vision after cataract surgery is our main goal at the Eye Center. Your doctor will recommend the best lens options or procedures for your personal lifestyle. Click here to view video |