Cataract

As we age, the protein within the lens begins to clump together and starts to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract, and over time, it will grow larger and cloud more of the lens. Once this happens, light rays are blocked from reaching the back of the eye making it hard to see.

Therefore, a cataract is not a "film over the eye" but rather clouding of your natural human lens.

 Symptoms of Cataracts include:

• Clouded, blurred or dim vision
• Increasing difficulty with vision at night
• Sensitivity to light and glare
• Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
• Seeing "halos" around lights
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
• Fading or yellowing of colors
• Double vision in a single eye

Surgery is needed to remove the old, clouded lens, and replace it with a new acrylic lens implant called an intraocular lens (IOL)

Cataracts are treated with a simple outpatient surgical procedure. Typically, this procedure lasts about 15-20 minutes. Although you are awake for the surgery, we will apply a topical freezing and mild sedative to ensure you are pain-free and relaxed throughout the procedure.

A small probe (about the size of a pen tip) is inserted and used to break up and remove the cataract.

The new intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted though the same small incision.

The new intraocular lens (IOL) unfolds and is set to its permanent position.

You will not be able to drive yourself home immediately after your surgery. Most patients are able to resume driving 24 hours after cataract surgery. 

 Cataract surgery risks include:

• Inflammation.
• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Swelling.
• Drooping eyelid.
• Dislocation of artificial lens.
• Retinal detachment.
• Glaucoma.