Clear Cornea Cataract Surgery

WHAT IS A CATARACT?

A cataract is clouding of the lens in the eye. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the retina. However, as a result of the natural aging process, the lens gradually becomes cloudy. The cataract or cloudy lens blocks the passage of light through the eye and causes distorted or blurred vision. The process of the lens becoming cloudy is usually a slow, gradual event. When a patient is bothered by decrease in distance, near, or color vision, they may be a candidate for removal of the cloudy lens (cataract).

Almost everone develops some form lens opacification as they age. Approximately 35% of healthy patients over the age of 60-65 will be bothered by some decrease in vision from cataracts. Removal of the cataract with a lens implant, which replaces the cataract with a clear lens, may be performed on patients bothered by their cataracts.

After a complete ophthalmologic examination to rule out any other ocular pathology which may be present, the doctor will then discuss the cataract removal procedure. The patient's eye will be measured with an ultrasound machine in the office. This allows for the placement of an intra-ocular lens (IOL), which usually allows for good distance vision without glasses. You will probably need glasses for reading after the surgery.

CATARACT SURGERY
The procedure to the remove the cataract and implant the IOL takes about 20 minutes. IV sedation is given and no discomfort is felt. The incision is so small that sutures are not usually necessary. The cataract is removed using a technique called phacoemulsification,(phaco - lens, emulsification), a form of ultrasound. After the cataract is removed, an IOL is placed through the small wound into the patient's eye. The procedure is then complete. Many patients see more clearly as they leave the operating room.

For more information, contact a physician.