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Over fifty percent of people over the age of 60, and quite a few younger than that, suffer from cataracts, a clouding of the natural lens of the eye which occurs as we age and can reduce vision. There is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only way to see clearly again is to have them removed.
In your parents' or grandparents' day, cataract surgery was considered risky, required a lengthy hospital stay and was usually postponed for as long as possible. Today, cataract surgery is a painless, outpatient procedure and takes only a few minutes. It is the most common and successful surgery in the world. In fact, following cataract surgery, many patients experience vision that is actually better than what they had before they developed cataracts.
Everyone undergoing cataract surgery receives an intraocular lens (IOL). This helps the eye to focus clearly after surgery. There have been tremendous advancements in IOL technology. In fact, there are IOLs that can now treat astigmatism and there are multifocal IOLs or Smart Lenses (ReSTOR, ReZoom, Technis Multifocal, or Crystalens) that, in most patients, eliminates the need for bifocals and reading glasses after surgery. While medical insurance pays for cataract surgery and standard monofocal IOLs, more and more patients are opting for Smart Lenses to help restore their natural vision. Dr. Kloess was the first doctor in Alabama to implant some of these advanced Smart Lenses. He and Dr. Velazquez have extensive experience with these and will help you decide which IOL is right for you. |
 You will arrive at the surgery center about an hour prior to your procedure. Once you have been checked in you will be taken to our preoperative suite and prepared for surgery. Dr. Kloess or Velazquez will greet you here and answer any remaining questions you may have. You will be offered sedation and will receive a series of eye drops which will numb and dilate the eye. You will then be taken to the operative suite. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape may be applied around your eye. Eye drops will be used to further anesthetize your eyes and you will be given an additional sedative. When your eye is completely numb, an eyelid relaxer will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure. A tiny incision will be made through which an ultrasonic probe will be used to break up the cataract into microscopic particles using high-energy sound waves. This is called phacoemulsification. The cataract particles will be gently removed. Then, a folded IOL will be inserted through the micro-incision, then unfolded and come to rest in a permanent position where the cataract was previously located. The small incision is self-sealing and usually requires no stitches. This type of incision heals rapidly and provides a very comfortable recuperation. The entire procedure takes a few minutes and is generally painless. Protective eyewear will be placed, you will go to the recovery room for brief observation, and then discharged to home.
The decision to have cataract surgery is an important one that our knowledgeable staff will assist you in making. Once removed, cataracts will not grow back. Over time some patients may experience gradual decreased vision secondary to clouding of a thin tissue, called the capsular bag. This structure holds the IOL in place. A laser is used to painlessly open the cloudy capsule and restore clear vision with a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy. Both cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy are covered by medical insurance. Cataract surgery is a safe, effective and permanent procedure which can dramatically improve vision. Going to one of our experienced eye specialists can significantly minimize the risks involved with cataract surgery. The knowledgeable staff at the Alabama Vision Center look forward to assisting you through the entire process. Our goal is to make your cataract surgical experience an excellent one.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends an annual eye examination for everyone 50 years of age or older. If you have not been seeing well lately, or have been told that you have a cataract, make an appointment to see one of our doctors by calling 205-592-3911. |