Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that involves numbing the eyes with anesthesia and then making a tiny incision into which an ultrasonic probe is inserted. The probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and then suctions them out of the eye. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted into the eye. This lens is known as an intraocular lens (IOL), and can often be inserted through the same incision that the old lens was removed from.
Surgery usually takes only a few minutes to perform and is painless for most patients. After the procedure, a patch may be placed over the eye and you will be asked to rest for a while. Patients can return home the very same day, but will need someone to drive them home. For the next few days, you may experience itching, mild discomfort, fluid discharge and sensitivity to light and touch. Your doctor may prescribe eye drops to help the healing process and to reduce the risk of infection.
We strive to provide our patients with safe, minimally invasive treatments to effectively relieve symptom comprehensive ophthalmology practice, our services include not only laser vision correction and small-incision cataract surgery but also treatments for a range of conditions such as glaucoma, the diabetic eye, dry eye and macular degeneration.
There are several different IOLs available to help each patient achieve the best possible results from his/her cataract surgery. Multifocal IOLs allow for full vision correction at near, intermediate and far distances, completely eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses in most patients. Some IOLs can also correct astigmatism.
These choices were not always available for cataract patients. In the past, cataract surgery only involved monofocal lenses, which could only focus on objects near or far, but could not adjust to accommodate varying distances. These patients still had to rely on glasses or contact lenses after surgery in order to see clearly at all distances. This was especially problematic in older patients suffering from presbyopia, a loss of flexibility in the eye’s lens that causes nearby objects to look blurry.
Laser Cataract Surgery
The CATALYS® Laser System is a technologically advanced laser designed to administer an extremely gentle cataract surgery that aids recovery time. And, as an advanced technology, it provides an unparalleled level of accuracy and precision to some of the more challenging steps of cataract surgery such as:
Capsulotomy – a centrally placed and tightly controlled circular incision allowing access to the cataract.
Lens Segmentation and Softening – treatment of the cataract itself to aid removal and minimize or eliminate ultrasonic energy delivered into the eye.
Arcuate Incisions or Limbal Relaxing Incisions – used to treat astigmatism. The laser can produce these within pockets to help offset dry eye conditions.
Cataract Incisions – precisely located and sized incisions normally done with blades to allow access to the cataract.
How Does The Laser Differ From Traditional Cataract Surgical Techniques?
Traditionally the eye surgeon uses blades to create incisions for lens treatment and removal. The laser uses computer guided imaging with over 10,000 scans to produce a highly detailed and customized image of your eye. This image is the basis for the treatment plan and laser control to produce incredibly precise incisions instead of manual incisions with blades. Usage of the laser to pre-treat the lens prior to its removal can minimize and in many cases eliminate the usage of phacoemulsification (ultrasonic) energy used within the eye, minimizing ocular trauma and aiding recovery.
Astigmatism correction
Astigmatism is an irregular curvature of the cornea. When light enters the front part of the eye this irregularity can bend light in one direction more than another which can lead to a blurred, distorted vision. This condition can be treated with the CATALYS® Laser with the creation of Limbal Relaxing Incisions placed strategically to address the corneal irregularity.
Review this animation which highlights the differences of the CATALYS® Laser compared to traditional surgery:
Learn how we can maximize your visual outcome and get you on the road to being glasses-free. Speak to our surgical staff to discuss implementation of a treatment plan tailored to your needs with the CATALYS® Precision Laser System.
Risk and Complications
If left untreated, cataracts will worsen over time and may lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. It is important to see your eye doctor regularly in order to detect cataracts as early as possible and to plan an effective treatment method.
Although cataract surgery is considered safe, there are certain risks associated with any surgery. Some of these risks may include pain, infection, swelling and bleeding. However, most patients undergo this procedure without any complications.
Toric IOLs
More than 140 million people in the United States wear eyeglasses. Eyeglasses improve vision by adjusting the way the eyes bend and focus light. Ideally, light rays are refracted (bent) as they pass through the cornea so that they focus on the retina in the back of the eye. In a healthy eye, this means that objects can be seen clearly.
However, many people’s corneas have a shallow or steep curvature which causes light rays to focus in front of or behind the retina. Objects may then appear blurry at certain distances or at all distances.
Glasses can correct these refractive errors. Prescriptions are measured for each eye so patients can enjoy optimal vision clarity, usually 20/20. Eyewear may be used for certain activities, such as reading for farsighted (hyperopic) patients and driving or watching television for nearsighted (myopic) patients, or may be worn at all times.
Regular eye exams test for the development and progression of refractive errors and help your doctor provide a proper prescription if eyeglasses are needed. Exams are also an invaluable tool in the early detection of eye disease.
PanOptix Lens
The PanOptix intraocular lens (IOL) is an advanced trifocal lens used during cataract surgery to replace the eye’s natural lens and improve vision at multiple distances. Unlike traditional monofocal lenses that correct vision at only one focal point, the PanOptix IOL is designed to provide clear near, intermediate, and distance vision. This allows many patients to perform everyday activities such as reading, using digital devices, and driving with reduced dependence on glasses. The lens uses specialized light-splitting technology to distribute incoming light across the three focal points, helping the eye focus more naturally at varying distances. As a result, patients who choose the PanOptix IOL often experience greater visual freedom following cataract surgery, though candidacy depends on individual eye health and lifestyle needs.
To learn more about our Cataract Surgery Services, please contact us at 703-494-1766 today to schedule an appointment.
