Your Vision
: Diseases & Conditions
: Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye behind the pupil, the part of the eye responsible for focusing light and producing clear, sharp images. The
lens is contained in a sealed bag or capsule. The cells that make up the lens continue to replicate within this confined space resulting in increasing density and
opacification of the lens. Over time, the cells accumulate causing the lens to cloud, making images look blurred or fuzzy. As the cataract develops, the vision gets
cloudy with symptoms of glare or double vision. There are no magic drops or pills that reverse a cataract. One-a-day multi-vitamins may slow the progression of
cataracts. Once the vision from the cataract deteriorates enough to interfere with your normal vision demands, cataract surgery with the replacement of the cloudy
lens with a clear artificial lens is recommended. For most people, cataracts are a natural result of the aging process of the eye.
In most cases, the restoration
of eyesight is accomplished
through a tiny microsurgical
incision that requires no
stitches. This is possible
thanks to a tiny, beveled
incision commonly called the "self-sealing" incision. It is called "self-sealing" because
the eye's natural internal
pressure holds the incision
tightly closed, allowing the
eye to heal naturally. The
cataract is situated inside
a lens capsule, which is like
an elastic bag that holds
the lens in place. To remove
the cataract, the front portion
of the lens capsule is carefully
opened. The cataract is gently
broken apart using ultrasonic
vibrations and vacuumed out
of the lens capsule. The lens
capsule is left undisturbed,
allowing a tiny lens implant
to be inserted in place of
the original lens. Many types
of lenses are used; most are
made of either acrylic or
soft, foldable silicone.
There
have been great advances in
the surgical removal of a
cataract. Most surgeries are
performed as an outpatient
with anesthetic drops and
IV sedation,
requiring no ocular injections
or sutures. A permanent intraocular
lens is commonly implanted
in the eye after the cataract
is removed. It is also possible
to implant an intraocular
lens in an eye that has had
previous cataract surgery.
This can be especially beneficial
to those who are having difficulty
using cataract glasses or
contact lenses. Not all patients
are good candidates for this
surgery. However, secondary
lens implantation can be a
very rewarding operation for
those who have become frustrated
with cataract glasses or contact
lenses.
Presbyopia
Correcting Implants
Presbyopia Correcting implants may eliminate the need for reading glasses after cataract surgery. There are numerous varieties of intraocular lenses available
each with their own unique design, advantages and disadvantages. Depending upon the condition of your eye, your activities and your visual needs you may or
may not be a candidate for this type of implant. Dr. Mills or Dr. Schonder will be happy to discuss the various options available to you at the time of your
appointment.
Restor®
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL
was designed to provide quality near to distance vision by combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and refractive
technologies. Similar technology has been used for years in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality, and has now been patented for use in
intraocular lenses by Alcon. We have had tremendous success achieving increased spectacle independence for many of our patients using this technique. The
ability to allow a patient to see at both near and distance simultaneously without glasses represents one of the most significant advancements in the field of
ophthalmologic surgery in many years.
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