Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are one of the leading causes of blurred vision in persons as they get older. The cataract usually develops slowly and is painless. This growth is usually caused by the normal aging process. Other factors may include exposure to sunlight, ocular inflammation, certain medications, family history, or trauma. In the early stages the cataract is small and occupies only a small part of the lens. There are usually no perceivable changes in vision at this point. The cataract continues to grow, however, and the symptoms begin to affect the vision in various ways. These can include:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Difficulty reading small print
- Difficulty driving – especially at night
- Glare and halos around lights
- Frequent shifts in eyeglass prescriptions
- Dimness or fading of colors
- Distortion of vision in one eye more than the other
The cataract will continue to grow until these changes in vision begin to change the way you live your life. You begin to be wary of driving at night. You stop reading your favorite books. You give up a hobby that has always given you pleasure. It is at this point that cataract surgery becomes a way to return you to the life you had before.
Approximately 3 million cataract surgeries are performed in the US each year, making it one of the most common procedures performed by surgeons in this country. This experience has fostered many new and exciting improvements in the way cataracts are treated.
Cataract surgery involves removal of the cloudy crystalline lens and replacing it with a new, clear implant lens. Modern cataract surgery involves replacing the lens with a new lens that meets the visual needs of the individual patient. Lenses that correct distance vision, astigmatism, and reading vision are commonly used to return you to the lifestyle that you enjoy.
The new cataract replacement lens is truly a modern marvel. They are tailored to your individual visual needs and can include spherical, astigmatic, and multifocal lenses.
Spherical
The Spherical cataract implant will correct the vision for either distance or near. This is the most commonly used lens. The patient will occasionally need some eyeglass correction after the procedure to either read or drive. This implant blocks UV radiation to the retina and is designed to reduce glare and distortion in your vision as well.
Toric
The Toric cataract implant will correct the vision for either distance or near while correcting astigmatism. The astigmatism correction in the lens allows the patient a greatly reduced dependence on eyeglasses. The patient will occasionally need some eyeglass correction after the procedure to either read or drive. This implant also blocks UV radiation to the retina and is designed to reduce glare and distortion in your vision as well.
Multifocal
The ReStor multifocal cataract implant is a leading choice among cataract surgeons. The lens not only corrects distance vision like the spherical lens, but corrects the near vision as well – greatly reducing the dependence on eyeglasses. Like the other lens implants, the aspheric design and natural UV design are incorporated into this lens reducing harmful radiation to the retina and reducing peripheral distortion from the lens.
Cataract surgery is typically performed at our state-of-the-art outpatient surgery center using topical anesthesia. The process is painless for the patient and the recovery is typically swift, with an improvement in vision noticed almost immediately. The patient will be using eye drops for a brief period before and after the procedure to enhance recovery. Pre and post-operative care provided at Bergman Eye is provided by the best trained professionals available using the most technically advanced equipment available anywhere.
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Dr. Bergman and the professionals at Bergman Eye are dedicated to provide for you the best possible experience when cataract surgery becomes necessary. The outcome will be tailored to your particular needs and will return you to your routine as quickly as possible with minimal disruption of your daily routine.
To request a consultation with the professionals at Bergman Eye, please Contact Us.
Symptoms Of Cataracts