What is a Cataract ?

Cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in adults 55 and over.  A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye.  This lens, located behind the iris, works just like the lens of a camera - focusing light images on the retina, which sends images to the brain. The human lens can become so clouded it prevents light and images from reaching the retina.

How do you treat a Cataract ?

The best way to treat a cataract is with surgery that removes the old, clouded lens and replaces it with a new, artificial one to restore your vision and, in many ways, significantly improve your quality of life.

Cataract Removal is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures.  In fact, more than 3 million* cataract surgeries are performed each year in the United States.  The operation entails making a tiny incision in the eye and inserting an instrument about the size of a pen tip to break up and remove the cloudy lens.  Once the lens is removed, a cataract replacement lens or IOL is inserted through the tiny incision and set into permanent position.

What is an IOL ?

An IOL or intraocular lens is an artificial lens that is implanted during cataract surgery.  Intraocular lens technology has taken great strides over the years.  Traditionally, monofocal IOLs were used and are very effective at restoring functional distance vision. Recent advances in IOLs can now allow you to see well at all distances without the help of glasses, bifocals or even reading glasses.  Following are the primary types of lenses we provide depending on your level of vision.

Monofocal IOL - We can provide the TECNIS One that provides one point of focus and can usually give you clear distance vision. While distance is improved, you will still need to wear glasses for certain tasks, such as reading or working at a computer.

Toric IOL- For patients with Astigmatism we can provide the Alcon Acrysof Toric lens. Similar to a monofocal lens, this will usually give you quality distance vision with less dependence on glasses but, you will still need to wear glasses to read or work at a computer.

Presbyopic IOL - For patients with an existing presbyopic condition we can provide the TECNIS MF lens that corrects presbyopia and provides a full range of clear vision, near to far and everywhere in between.

Accomodative IOL - For all patients regardless of any pre-existing condition we recommend the Bausch and Lomb Crystalens, this lens  allows patients to focus on objects at all distances, the same way a natural lens focuses. This means you usually do not require contact lenses and eyeglasses for daily activities following surgery.

*MedMarket Diligence, November 2006