About Cataracts
Your eye contains a clear lens through which light passes and is focused to enable useful vision. Over time, the lens undergoes changes in transparency and becomes progressively opaque, resulting in a cataract. Additional risk factors for cataract formation include diabetes, trauma, smoking, cumulative ultraviolet exposure, and medications, such as steroids.
Cataracts may cause multiple vision disturbances, including blurred or hazy vision, double vision, poor vision in bright light, glare and halos around bright lights, yellowish vision, difficulty with night vision, and problems with reading.
Cataract Surgery
A thoughtful, conservative eye surgeon will inform you that not all cataracts require surgical removal. They develop over time, and many can be cautiously monitored over a period of years without immediate surgery. However, if visual impairment interferes with reading, working, driving, or any other daily activity that you enjoy, you should seriously consider the benefits of cataract surgery.
Advanced microincisional cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia in less than 30 minutes. A small, ultrasonic probe is inserted into the eye through an incision which is less than 2.75 mm long. The cataract is broken into small fragments, which are then gently aspirated from the eye. With the recent advance of foldable acrylic and silicone IOLs (intraocular lenses – see below), an artificial lens implant can now be folded or injected through the same small incision and allowed to unfold to its original shape within the eye. A typical patient will return home and begin using the eye immediately following surgery. We encourage you to resume normal activities, including exercise, the very next day.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options
For patients preparing for advanced microincisional cataract surgery, there are many implant lens options available from which to choose. Your decision should be based in part upon your own particular visual demands and expectations. Dr. Lars Hertzog will personally discuss these options with you at the time of surgical consultation so that you can make a completely informed decision regarding your optimal lens choice. At Hertzog Eye Center, your entire surgical consultation and screening process (to determine candidacy) is performed by your surgeon, Dr. Lars Hertzog.
Most traditional IOLs implanted during cataract surgery are monofocal in design, providing clear vision at only one distance. While visual performance is usually excellent with this type of IOL, patients generally require glasses at least some of the time to perform near and intermediate distance tasks, including reading and computer work.
Premium Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
The recent emergence of premium implant lens technology now allows patients the opportunity to eliminate or significantly reduce their dependence on glasses following cataract surgery. This category of IOLs includes Acrysof® ReSTOR®, Acrysof® Toric (for astigmatism correction), ReZoom®, Tecnis® Multifocal, and Crystalens®. Patients may now elect this premium lens technology if they are determined to be a candidate following comprehensive surgical consultation. The use of this technology involves additional out-of-pocket expenses which are not traditionally covered by insurance; however, these new lenses may be extremely beneficial in many cases.
To learn more about premium implant lens technology, please visit the links below:
Acrysof ReSTOR Premium IOL - www.acrysofrestor.com
Acrysof Toric Premium IOL - www.acrysofiqtoric.com
Tecnis Multifocal Premium IOL - www.tecnismultifocal.com
ReZoom Premium IOL - www.rezoomiol.com
Crystalens Premium IOL - www.crystalens.com
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