At InSight Vision, we provide those with Cataracts the help and care they need
in order too keep living life to the fullest.
A cataract is when the lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. The result can be blurred vision or glare. Cataracts can be slow growing, age - related, or rapid as with a trauma to the eye. The solution is a surgical procedure to remove the cloudy lens and exchange it with a new clear lens called an intraocular lens, IOL for short. The eyes are treated usually weeks apart and is an out - patient procedure. There are many options for patients with our advanced technologies. We have laser assisted surgery and premium IOL choices that will reduce your need for glasses.
The first step is a Cataract Evaluation where the doctor will confirm the diagnosis, and then schedule a testing appointment where your options, for your specific vision, will be reviewed. You will meet with one of our surgery schedulers who will answer all your questions. You are encouraged to bring a friend or family member with you to your testing appointment.
iData Research revealed that 3.8 million cataract procedures were performed in the United States in 2017. A study by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS) reported that more than 98 percent of cataract patients had their vision successfully improved following surgery. Studies indicate that patients have fewer falls and maintain living independence longer with improved eyesight. The patient’s eye needs to be in good health for the best results from cataract surgery. Once the cataract is repaired, it will not recur. The lens implants used today are meant to last a lifetime. Some patients may normally develop a thickening or haze and this is treated with a laser (YAG), if it should become an issue.
Once the cloudy lens is removed, a small artificial lens (intraocular lens or “IOL”) is placed inside the eye. The IOL helps to reduce dependence on glasses after surgery (although it is rare to be entirely free of glasses even after perfect cataract surgery). These lenses are inert (usually made of an acrylic polymer) and are never “rejected”
Modern technology provides patients choices in deciding which intraocular lens might be the “best” for you. What IOL to use depends on the general health of the eye, other eye conditions that may be present, and the testing results of y our eye measurements performed before surgery. We will inform you of all your options to decrease dependency on glasses at certain distances. Insurance covers the high quality “monofocal” lens implants, but typically will not cover IOLs that correct astigm atism or reduce glasses needs at more than one distance (such as accommodating, bifocal and trifocal IOLs). Counseling is provided at the proper time in order to assist in the selection of the “best” IOL for a given eye and a given patient. Ultimately, the choice of lens is the patient’s decision for their lifetime vision
Laser-assisted cataract surgery is widely used, and the precision of custom laser cataract surgery adds a new dimension to obtaining the best possible vision post - operatively. While the cataract laser can enhance the outcome in many patients, it is not required for a good result, and some eyes may not benefit or tolerate this laser therapy. Your doctor will review with you the options for laser.
Lasers used in cataract surgery (such as LenSx) have been used for many years and create a tightly controlled sequence of tiny energy pulses that help to make precise incisions and help to break apart (soften) the cataract. It can also treat mild astigmatism if needed. When surgery is performed, the laser is used first and then the remainder of the procedure is completed using ultrasound. While an option for many patients, most current insurance plans do not cover the use of lasers to assist in cataract surgery.
As a separate technology, a measuring device called “ORA” can be used during surgery to help confirm that the best lens implant power is used; the ORA gives the doctor another reading on how the eye focuses after cataract removal and often allows some “fine tuning” of IOL power.
The Optiwave Refractive Analysis, known as the ORA, is connected to the operating microscope. It provides a real - time analysis of the eye’s focusing ability during surgery. By doing so, the surgeon can confirm the best lens implant to place inside the eye, based on the preoperative plan.
The ORA is especially helpful when there is a question about pre-operative eye measurements and lens implant planning, and especially valuable in cases where patients have had previous refractive surgery such as RK, PRK or LASI K. Previous refractive surgery of the cornea makes selecting the “best” IOL power challenging, and the ORA adds additional useful information in the achievement of that goal.
Due to dilation and ocular dryness, the vision is typically blurry the first day or two after cataract surgery and improves over the following week. Every eye heals differently, and the final vision result (with and without glasses correction) is generally measured about one month after surgery. As the eye heals, any other issues that your eye had prior to surgery (such as macular degeneration) are also monitored as they could affect the final outcome. Patients are on drops for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery to help the eye heal and to prevent any post-operative problems.
Post-operative appointments generally take place at one day, at one week, and at one month after surgery in order to ensure proper healing and a successful outcome. Patients are usually able to update their eyeglass prescription with their primary care eye doctor as needed at about one month after surgery. Most patients will have some small correction for glasses for distance or for near, depending on the eye and the pre-surgery plan. For those who opt for a premium lens implant, it is important to realize that both eyes need to be well healed to obtain the best results for these lenses, and there may be a period of one to six months where the eyes need to “adapt” to the new vision and to how the IOL works.