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Carl J. Hanig, MD |
Procedures: Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in adults 55 and over. A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. Cataracts can be caused by eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications, but the majority of cataract cases are simply the result of old age. Cataracts cannot be treated by diet changes, medications, or lasers. The best way to treat a cataract is with minor surgery that replaces the old, clouded lens with a fresh, new artificial lens implant (Intraocular Lens [IOL]). This new lens implant restores your vision and significantly improves your quality of life.
Advanced, specialty lenses provide an IOL to replace the clouded lens, but can also correct for near/distance vision or astigmatism. Depending on your eye condition, certain IOLs can be implanted to both treat your cataracts AND correct your vision, to reduce or eliminate the need for glasses.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Types:
• Monofocal: For one point focus and can usually give clear distance vision. Distance vision is improved, but some patients still need to wear glasses for certain tasks (reading or working at a computer).
• Multifocal and Accommodating: Designed to replace cataracts and correct presbyopia (loss of lens flexibility and surrounding muscle fibers) at the same time. This gives you the full range of clear vision, near to far, and everywhere in between.
• Astigmatism-Correcting (Toric IOL): Similar to monofocal lenses with additional astigmatism correction. Distance vision is improved, but some patients still need to wear glasses for certain tasks (reading or working at a computer).
Capsulotomy:
• YAG Capsulotomy: The YAG laser is used for posterior capsulotomy. This is a quick, painless procedure that clears the cloudy membrane that can develop behind the lens implant after cataract surgery.