At your cataract consultation, you will be educated on the traditional and refractive approach to cataract surgery so that a decision can be made for your situation and goals. To further determine the best cataract treatment for your eyes, we use a variety of advanced measurement and testing technologies.
We test your tear film analysis, which can contribute to poor vision and be treated after cataract surgery to improve a patient’s vision. Using an OCT, we assess the health of the retina. We perform an advanced corneal analysis, which measures corneal curvature and thickness. We measure the size of the patient’s pupil, as a patient’s pupil size can cause certain implants to be better than others. If needed, we can image the angle created where the cornea and iris meet, which can determine whether a patient is at risk for angle closure glaucoma, a serious condition caused by a thick cataract.
We perform density measurements of your natural lens where cataracts form, which can help us determine how much the cataract is affecting your vision. We determine whether a cataract is the source of blurry vision by using Wavefront technology to measure the optical properties of an eye. Using Optical Biometry or A-scan capabilities, we can accurately measure the length of a patient’s eye, the curvature of the cornea, and the distance between the cornea and the lens, which helps calculate what power of implant is best for a patient’s eye.
By extensively testing the patient’s eyes, we can determine a patient’s individual needs for cataract surgery.
The cataract procedure is performed in three steps in an outpatient setting:
- Small painless incisions are made to allow a tiny instrument to pass through.
- Ultrasonic waves are used to break the cataract into small pieces to be suctioned away.
- The new lens is inserted inside the eye where the old lens once was.
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Lens Options for your Cataract Procedure
There’s no such thing as a “one size fits all” intraocular lens. Together, you and your doctor will discuss which lens or combination of lenses best fits your lifestyle and your vision goals.
Monofocal Lens
A monofocal IOL will create focused vision at a single distance after surgery. Your doctor will help you choose what distance will best suite your lifestyle. Patients who receive a monofocal lens will require corrective lenses for many activities following surgery.
Toric Lens
Patients who suffer from blurry or hazy vision caused by astigmatism can benefit from a CLE procedure featuring a Toric lens implant. Toric lenses correct for astigmatism as well as replacing the natural lens. Because toric lenses are monofocals that will be set to focus at one distance, corrective lenses will be needed for distance or near activitie only depending on what you choose to have improved..
Multifocal/Trifocal Lens
With a multifocal lens, patients experience quality vision at several focal points. Concentric circles built into the lens provide focus points for distance, intermediate and near range vision to offer a fuller range of vision. Most patients who receive a multifocal lens implant will not need to wear corrective lenses for most activities after surgery. However, some patients with multifocal lens implants experience halos or glare in their vision at night. Some patients will require reading glasses when in low light situations.
Accommodating Lens
The eye’s natural lens is flexible and can adjust to focal points at varying distances. But as we age, the flexibility diminishes as your natural lens hardens. This condition is called presbyopia and results in corrective lenses for many adults. Our accommodating lenses return some of the flexibility of a younger, natural lens to offer patients a continuous range of vision while reducing halos or glare at night. Some patients will still need reading glasses with their accommodating lens implant.
Extended Depth Of Focus Lens
The Tecnis Symfony IOL is the first in a new category of intraocular lenses that provide a full range of continuous high-quality vision following cataract surgery, while also minimizing the effects of presbyopia by helping people focus on near objects. This highly advanced IOL approved by the FDA in 2016, is designed to allow excellent vision at all distances but is focused on intermediate and distance. May require reading glasses.
Trifocal Lens
The Alcon PanOptix IOL – The first and only US approved trifocal IOL. The Panoptix IOL delivers near, intermediate and distance vision and substantially reduces the need for glasses. The trifocal is similiar to the multifocal IOL, however due to the design improvements, a significant improvement in patient satisfaction has occurred. The PanOptix is the leading presbyopia correcting lens used in our center. .
Light Adjustable Len
The Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL™/LAL+®) is the first and only lens that can be customized after cataract surgery—because we believe your vision should be exactly what you want. Now you can experience your vision, then refine it. So your vision will truly be yours. This technology allows us to change your prescription after surgery to allow you to test drive your vision, make adjustments before you finalize your vision.
Monovision or Blended Vision
Blended Vision uses two advanced monofocal lenses, each set to focus at a different distance in a different eye, to “blend” vision. Although some depth perception is lost, the brain learns to use the best focal length of each eye in specific situations. Many patients achieve freedom from corrective lenses for most daily activities with Blended Vision.
Like Blended Vision, Monovision uses two advanced monofocal lenses, each set to focus at a different distance in a different eye. With Monovision, the focal points of each lens are set further apart, creating less blend in the overall vision and more focal range for patients. Many patients achieve freedom from corrective lenses for most daily activities with Monovision.