Cataracts

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural clear lens of the eye. Over time, this once clear, flexible lens becomes hardened and clouded. Changes may be so gradual that you are not aware of the cataract’s effects at first. Although there are no medications that can cure cataracts, surgical removal of the cataract and replacement with a permanent artificial lens, known as an Intra Ocular Lens (IOL), can restore lost vision.

What are Cataracts?

Types of Advanced Technology Lenses

Toric Monofocal Lenses

Toric monofocal lenses are specially designed lens implants that have the ability to correct a patient’s astigmatism and distance vision. Astigmatism is a natural blur resulting from an irregularly shaped cornea. The Toric mono-focal lens allows for better focus after surgery without needing to have astigmatism correction in your glasses. Since mono-focal lenses are set for distance focus, patients who chose a Toric monofocal should still expect to wear near-vision glasses for any activities performed up close, such as reading, working on a computer, sewing, or crafts.

Multifocal Lenses

Unlike mono-focal lenses, Multifocal lenses are designed to produce dual focus or multiple focal points. The lens’s ability to break light into multiple focal points, including distance, near, and intermediate, allows for the most independence from glasses following surgery. Unlike a multifocal or bifocal pair of glasses, the patient does not have to look through a certain part of the lens for distance and a different part of the lens for near. The brain automatically finds the correct focus without any effort on your part. Multifocal lenses also come with a Toric option to correct any astigmatism. There are a variety of Multifocal lenses available, and your surgeon will help to identify which lens will best meet your individual needs. While no IOL can guarantee to fully eliminate the need for glasses for all activities all the time, patients can expect freedom from glasses for most daily activities with the Multifocal lens.

Light Adjustable Lens

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is a specially designed mono-focal lens that has the ability to have its prescription altered after cataract surgery. After the lens is implanted and the eye has healed, the surgeon can perform in-office LDD (Light Delivery Device) treatments. This is a targeted UV light treatment to the lens itself that can change the prescription of the lens based on your individual preferences. Since the LAL is a mono-focal lens, you can choose to have your vision targets for distance in one eye and near in the other. This technique is known as monovision. This technique is often used by contact lens wearers to reduce the need for reading glasses. Your surgeon will discuss your specific goals and create a treatment plan tailored to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes cataracts?

There are different types of cataracts that can develop at different ages and for different reasons. The most common cataract is a result of the eye's natural lens aging. Still, it may also be caused by an eye injury, certain medications, and even other health conditions such as diabetes. Like most aging processes, such as gray hair, they don’t occur at the same age or rate in everyone.
What are the symptoms?

Cataracts only cause visual symptoms, but not pain, discomfort, tearing floaters, or redness. Visual symptoms may vary from patient to patient but may include blurry or hazy vision, difficulty focusing, or increased glare from headlights or sunlight may become present. Vision progressively worsens over time. For some, it may be years, and for others, it may only be a few months before their symptoms become noticeable.
When should I schedule my cataracts to be removed?

In the early stages, cataracts may not impact your vision enough to interfere with your activities of daily life. As your cataracts progress and you begin to notice difficulty with your daily activities, reading, driving, or night vision, you should consider surgery to have them removed.
What is cataract surgery experience like?

Cataract surgery is a quick, painless procedure that removes the clouded, hardened natural lens of the eye and replaces it with an artificial lens known as an Intra Ocular Lens or IOL. Surgery will be performed on one eye at a time, usually one week apart. The eye will be numbed using drops, and you will be given a light sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed. Your eye will be gently held open for you with a special instrument so you may see light but nothing more. Your non-surgical eye will have a shield over it. Because the surgery takes less than 20 minutes, even patients with health challenges can safely undergo surgery.
What will recovery be like after my surgery?

Using the most advanced method of surgery, you will have very few restrictions following surgery and can resume most normal activities the following day. As with any surgery, the healing period will vary with each patient. Your eye may feel a little scratchy at first, and your vision may appear a little blurry in that eye during your initial days of recovery. Your glasses prescription will be different after your cataract has been removed, and we will provide you with a new glasses prescription approximately three weeks after surgery. Dr. Stevens offers a variety of options for your cataract surgery, including Advanced Technology Lenses that can correct astigmatism, distance vision, and near vision, allowing you the most independence from glasses or contact lenses following surgery. Many patients who choose these options are able to live life only needing reading glasses, and for some, no glasses at all. Schedule your Cataract Evaluation to learn more and determine if you are a candidate for one of these great Advanced Technology Lenses.