Cataract Surgery
Some of us still remember the way cataract surgery was done in our parents’ day: the hospital stay, the sand-bagging, the lengthy recovery time. The more than two million people who will have cataracts removed this year are fortunate to live at a time when cataract correction is so very convenient, safe, and comfortable.
The idea behind modern cataract surgery is quite simple: the surgeon removes the clouded natural lens from the eye and replaces it with a clear lens implant, called an “IOL” (intraocular lens), that takes over the job of focusing light that enters the eye.
On the day of surgery, the patient will be given medication for relaxation and anesthetic eye drops that keep the patient quite comfortable during the surgery. To prevent infection, the skin surrounding the eye is cleaned, and strict precautions are observed to maintain a sterile environment.
The surgeon uses a microscope throughout the procedure. Only a very small (1/8″) incision is necessary because ultrasound energy breaks up the clouded lens, making it easy to remove. The surgeon then implants an IOL in its place, and the incision seals and heals. Stitches are rarely needed. The entire process is usually finished in as few as 15 minutes. The patient is then taken to the recovery area, and after a short stay, may return home with a designated driver.
Most patients experience better vision after only a few days. More than 99 percent of patients who undergo cataract removal rank their vision as significantly improved.
Over time, the lens of the eye gradually loses its elasticity and its ability to change shape (‘accommodate’) to see close objects. This loss of accommodation is called presbyopia. Traditionally, bifocals have been prescribed to remedy presbyopia. Now, however, your doctor may recommend an advanced implantable multifocal replacement lens designed to compensate for changes in the eye and improve functional vision. One of these new technologies may make it possible for you to recapture a full range of vision…without bifocals.
- PanOptix delivers an exceptional combination of near, intermediate and distance vision and substantially reduces the need for glasses
- More than ninety-nine percent of PanOptix patients in the FDA clinical study said they would choose the same lens again
PanOptix is already one of the leading presbyopia-correcting IOLs in more than 70 countries. It is designed for today’s active lifestyles, from viewing mobile devices and computer screens to high-quality distance vision in a range of lighting conditions. The new lens uses ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, a proprietary design that optimizes intermediate vision without compromising near and distance vision. Available in spherical and toric designs, PanOptix is built on Alcon’s proven Clareon® IOL platform that has been implanted in more than 120 million eyes globally.
The Clareon® PanOptix Pro® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL that can focus images at three distinct distances: far (driving), intermediate (computer work), and near (reading), affording drastically improved range of vision compared to what a standard monofocal lens would provide. This latest iteration not only has the glistening-free Clareon® lens material that remains clear for decades, but also improved image contrast and less light scatter compared to prior versions of this lens implant.
The LenSx® Laser system gives us advanced control with more accuracy. Using a highly-precise, femtosecond laser, we are able to capture high-resolution images of the interior of the eye. And because every person’s eye anatomy is slightly different in shape, depth and curvature, the more detailed our images are, the better the vision outcome will be. The 3D images of the LenSx are the ultimate tools for precision. Now you can expect a bladeless, advanced cataract procedure that is completely personalized. Used with advanced lenses like ReSTOR and Crystalens, the LenSx system allows us to perform cataract procedures that even surpass LASIK. Learn more about LenSx or watch this short video.
This new technology provides an on-demand analysis of your eye and allows the surgeon to re-measure your eye during cataract surgery to make sure you have the best lens for optimal results. The ORA System works by directing a beam of low intensity laser light into the eye during the surgical procedure. The laser light reflects off the back of your eye, and sensors in the ORA System device analyze the reflected wave of light exiting your eye. This real-time analysis measures all of the eye’s unique optical characteristics, and gives your surgeon an accurate measurement of your eye’s focusing capabilities. Prior to the ORA System, surgeons have been unable to assess the quality of vision during the procedure, and would have to wait until weeks after the procedure to determine the accuracy of the results.
There are many benefits to having the ORA System, added to your cataract procedure.
- ORA System allows your surgeon to assess the quality of your vision during your cataract procedure
- ORA System will guide your surgeon and provide you with the opportunity for optimal outcomes
- Whether you’ve had LASIK or have astigmatism or any other visual error, the ORA System can help you potentially eliminate your need for eyeglasses after your cataract procedure.
RxSight® Light Adjustable Lens™
Beach Eye Care is one of only a few practices in Hampton Roads that offers the RxSight® Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) for cataract surgery. The Light Adjustable Lens is unique because it can be fine-tuned even after surgery. For patients who have had prior laser vision correction (LASIK, PRK), healing after cataract surgery can sometimes be unpredictable, making it more likely that glasses or contact lenses would be needed afterward. With the LAL, if any prescription remains after surgery, it can be corrected in the office using a light-based treatment that adjusts the power of your lens implant. This lens can also be used in a monovision/blended vision approach—where one eye is set for distance and the other for near—to further reduce the need for glasses after surgery.
Using a special lens material designed by a Nobel Prize-winning scientist, RxSight has developed the first intraocular lens (IOL) that allows you and your physician to optimize your vision following cataract surgery. This video explains everything you need to know about the Light Adjustable Lens, including the procedure, how it works, and the importance of wearing the UV glasses.
Vivity® Extended Depth of Focus IOL
Toric IOL
LenSx® Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
Which lens is right for you? Find out by calling our office today to schedule a consultation. See if one of these amazing new technologies can revive your ability to see the world as nature intended.
