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About Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery

About Cataract Surgery

Multifocal IOL (ReSTOR)

ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY

Cataracts are the most common, treatable cause of poor vision in the United States. Over 50% of people over 60 years of age have cataracts. Although cataracts are part of the natural aging process, many younger people develop cataracts due to the use of steroid medications, diabetes and injury. A cataract is a progressive clouding of the natural lens of your eye. People generally experience various symptoms including blurred, foggy, cloudy or double vision, glare from headlights and sunlight causing difficulty driving, halos around lights, trouble reading fine print, and seeing the television. There is no treatment to prevent cataracts from developing. The only way to experience clear vision again is to have your cataract removed.

Today, cataract surgery is performed on an out-patient-basis taking only about 15 minutes. The procedure requires no shots, no stitches and no patching of your eye afterwards. Your cataract will be removed using the most advanced technique called phacoemulsification. On the day of your procedure you will need someone to drive you. When you arrive you will be given a mild sedative to relax you and keep you comfortable during your procedure. Dr. Greenberg will numb your eye with topical anesthetic eye drops and then make a tiny incision, only 1/8” in the sclera (white part) of your eye. Your cataract is then broken into small pieces using ultrasound and gently suctioned out. Once your natural lens is removed, Dr. Greenberg will implant an intraocular lens (IOL). Your IOL will be positioned within the outer capsule that held your natural lens. Once in place, it will not move and you will not be able to feel it. The natural pressure inside your eye will close the tiny incision eliminating your need for stitches. You will return home within a couple of hours. You will see Dr. Greenberg the following day for your first post-operative visit and you will be instructed on using eye drops after as your eye heals.

Cataract surgery is considered highly successful with a rate of 98% of patients reporting their vision was improved after the procedure. Every patient heals differently but most notice an improvement in their vision right away and can return to normal activities within a day. The only restrictions are no swimming or heavy lifting for two weeks.

The decision to have cataract surgery is yours. If your vision is interfering with your quality of life including impairing your ability to drive, read, watch television or do any other activities you enjoy it may be time to consider cataract surgery. Over one million people choose to restore their vision  through cataract surgery each year in the United States.

A FREE Screening for cataracts is available at our office every Thursday morning from 9:30-11:00. No appointment is necessary.