South Jersey Eye invites you to learn more about cataracts and cataract surgery. In the section called What are Cataracts? you will learn more about the cataract itself. Then you can learn about cataract surgical procedures in About Cataract Surgery. And finally you can read about the multifocal lenses available to maintain distance and near vision after your surgery.
What Are Cataracts?
 A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye. This clouding blurs the light images that are sent to the back of the eye. Here the retina converts these light images into impulses which are transmitted to the brain. If the light-images are blurred due to cataracts, then your vision will also be blurry.
Cataracts are commonly caused by the natural aging processes of the eye. In fact, a majority of the population over the age of 60 may be affected by cataracts.
There is no pain associated with the condition but there are other symptoms, including:
- Blurred/hazy vision
- Spots in front of the eye(s)
- Sensitivity to glare
- A feeling of “film” over the eye(s)
Risk factors for developing cataracts include being over 55 years old, eye injury or disease, a family history of cataracts, smoking or use of certain medications.
For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, lens replacement surgery may be recommended.
About Cataract Surgery
Modern Cataract Removal
Modern cataract removal is now done on an outpatient basis at our "in-office" Ambulatory Surgical Center. It normally takes less than 20 minutes to complete. Since we perform the surgery at our office, this means that you no longer have to go to a hospital to have your cataracts removed. This reduces patient costs, and allows you to leave the surgery center quickly and recover safely in the comfort of your own home after surgery. Your total time at our office for cataract removal is usually about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
We perform a minimally invasive, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification ("phaco") surgery. First, the eye is numbed with anesthesia. Then a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces.
After the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens is implanted in the eye. With the recent advance of foldable IOLs (intraocular lenses), artificial lenses can be implanted through the same small incision from the phaco procedure.
Hand Holders Club
In most cases, one of our "Hand Holders" will hold your hand during your surgery. These volunteers have all had cataract surgery on either one or both eyes. They serve as part of our surgical team and provide comfort and reassurance in the operating room, making your surgery much less stressful.
IOL Implants
Artificial lenses (IOLs) are implanted in the eye to replace natural lenses that have been damaged by cloudy cataracts or presbyopia. Multifocal IOLs allow patients to see clearly at all distances so patients can enjoy clear sight without relying on glasses. Read more about the multifocal lenses available at SJEYE: Crystalens™, ReSTOR® and ReZoom™.
Continue to Multifocal IOL Implants » |
