1. Cataract Surgery Options

2. What Exactly is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens in your eye
Though painless, cataracts can blur your vision by restricting the amount of light that enters your eye

3. Cataract Indications
How do you know if you have a cataract? You may notice:
Hazy vision
Increasing glare
Poor night vision
Difficulty reading small print
Change in how your eyes perceive colors

4. Is Cataract Surgery Right for Me?
Are you frustrated with your vision?
Do you feel like your lifestyle is impaired by your vision?
Do you have trouble seeing while driving?
What is your current vision level?
How quickly is it getting worse?
Would you mind wearing glasses after cataract surgery, or would you prefer to do as much as possible without glasses?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed today. Millions of people suffer from cataracts, and because cataracts can impair vision slowly over time, it is sometimes difficult to know when it is the right time to have your cataract removed and a replacement lens put into your eye.

5. Cataract Surgery
You will be awake and comfortable for the entire process
Light sedation is used
Your eye will be made numb with anesthetic eye drops; An anesthetist will be present
The procedure is performed under a powerful microscope and involves two main parts:
Removing the cataract
Inserting an artificial lens to replace the eye’s natural lens

6. Cataract Surgery Removal options: Traditional cataract surgery
ReLACS: Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery

7. Cataract Removal Option 1: traditional cataract surgery
The most frequently performed procedure in the United States
Performed on an outpatient basis
Lasts only about 10 to 20 minutes; You will only be in the surgery center for about 90 minutes
The procedure is usually performed on only one eye at a time
Your second eye can typically be corrected shortly after the first eye

8. Cataract Removal Option 1: traditional cataract surgery
Small incisions are made to allow an instrument the size of a pen tip to pass through
Once inserted, high frequency sound waves or ultrasonic waves are used to gently break the cataract into pieces
Pieces will be small enough to be suctioned away through the tiny inserted instrument and removed from the eye
This procedure is known as phacoemulsification
phaco - meaning lens
emulsification - meaning to break into tiny pieces 

9. Cataract Removal Option 2: Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
Designed to reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses
A custom, blade-free cataract removal procedure
Utilizes the most advanced diagnostics available
More control and flexibility in surgery
Features real-time tools for visualization of what happens inside the eye during surgery

10. Cataract Removal Option 2: Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
Performed on an outpatient basis
Lasts only about 10 to 20 minutes; You will only be in the surgery center for about 90 minutes
The procedure is usually performed on only one eye at a time
Your second eye can typically be corrected shortly after the first eye

11. Cataract Removal Option 2: Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery
Small incisions are made by a laser to allow an instrument the size of a pen tip to pass through
Once inserted, high frequency sound waves or ultrasonic waves are used to gently break the cataract into pieces
Pieces will be small enough to be suctioned away through the tiny inserted instrument and removed from the eye
The lens is more easily broken apart in this procedure, as the laser has already performed exacting fragmentation of the cataract 

12. Your Replacement Lens Options
After removing the cataract, a powerful new lens will be inserted
The replacement lens has the potential to create vision you may not have experienced for years
The new lens will not change the outward appearance of your eye
These lenses are intended to last a lifetime
Lenses are made of materials like silicone and acrylic that aren’t irritating
While many patients are comfortable, and may even prefer, wearing glasses after their surgery, you may be interested in options that can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. Here is an overview of your lens options:

13. Your Replacement Lens Options
New technology has led to an impressive range of lens options to choose from
Vision simulation:
vision with cataracts vision with monofocal lens vision with advanced lens
While many patients are comfortable, and may even prefer, wearing glasses after their surgery, you may be interested in options that can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contacts. Here is an overview of your lens options:

14. Your Replacement Lens Options
Standard Lenses:
Option 1: Monofocal
Advanced Lenses:
Option 2: Toric
Option 3: Multifocal

15. Lens Option 1: Monofocal
Provides clear vision at one distance
May require the use of glasses or contacts at other distances
Great choice for people who are comfortable wearing glasses daily

16. Advanced Lens Options 2 & 3: Toric & Multifocal
Implanted to reduce astigmatism
Multifocal
Quality distance, intermediate, and near vision in good lighting conditions
Some night time glare can occur
May take 4-6 months for your eye to fully adjust

17. Your Lens Options: Accomodating
Provides quality distance and intermediate vision with less night time glare
Near vision can be more variable
Adjusting to an accommodating lens can take 4-6 months.

18. Inserting the New Lens
The replacement lens is inserted through the small incision created before the cataract was removed
The lens is carefully placed where the natural lens used to be
After the new lens is put into place, the procedure is complete

19. After Your Procedure
The small incision is commonly said to be “self-sealing” because the eye’s natural internal pressure holds the incision tightly closed, allowing the eye to heal without stitches
After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to leave
You won’t be able to drive yourself home, so you should make arrangements for transportation
Several postoperative visits are needed to check on the progress of the eye as it heals