CATARACT SURGERY

Improve that cloudy vision

A cataract is when your eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy.  This occurs when proteins in your lens break down and cause things to look blurry, hazy or less colorful.

Inside our eyes, we have a natural lens. The lens bends (refracts) light rays that come into the eye to help us see. The lens should be clear.  If you have a cataract, your lens has become cloudy.  It is like looking through a foggy or dusty car windshield. Things look blurry, hazy or less colorful with a cataract.

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Phacoemulsification, which is traditional cataract surgery, is one of the most common eye surgeries. The procedure begins with the surgeon creating a small incision in the cornea with a scalpel. A small instrument is then inserted through the slot and behind the pupil, where the eye's lens rests in a capsule. The surgeon then creates a small round opening in the capsule and inserts a probe that applies sound waves, or ultrasound, to break up the cloudy lens. The broken-up pieces are then suctioned out and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The incision is self-healing and usually does not require stitches.

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

The concept of laser-assisted cataract surgery is the same as traditional cataract surgery, except the surgeon utilizes a camera or ultrasound device to map the eye’s surface. The 3D imaging is then used to map the exact location, depth, and size for the incisions, eliminating the reliance on the steadiness of the surgeon’s hand.  Similar to traditional cataract surgery, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted into the eye. This type of procedure is also self-healing and usually does not require stitches.

Abrams EyeCare specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. Schedule an appointment today or call our office for more information.

You can learn more about cataract treatments at the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Common Vision Problems