Cataracts are a natural part of aging and develop when the normally clear eye lens becomes clouded, leading to vision problems. Symptoms can include blurred or double vision, dull or faded colors, difficulty reading or driving at night, and increased sensitivity to light. At Vision Prescott, we are committed to helping you achieve clearer vision and improve your quality of life through advanced cataract surgery.
Our highly skilled ophthalmologists offer comprehensive cataract care, utilizing state-of-the-art techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes. Cataract surgery is a safe, outpatient procedure that can restore your vision and allow you to return to the activities you love.
What Is Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries performed worldwide. The procedure involves removing the eye’s cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This helps restore vision that cataracts have impaired.
At M&M Eye Institute in Prescott, we offer both traditional cataract surgery and the latest in laser cataract surgery to suit the specific needs and preferences of our patients.
Traditional Cataract Surgery
Traditional cataract surgery, also known as phacoemulsification, is a highly effective procedure. A small incision is made in the eye, and a tiny probe breaks up and removes the cataract. Once the cataract is removed, an artificial IOL is implanted to replace the cloudy lens. The procedure is quick and minimally invasive, and most patients experience improved vision within a few days.
Laser Cataract Surgery with Premium IOLs
We offer laser cataract surgery for patients seeking the most precise and advanced cataract surgery option. This bladeless procedure uses a femtosecond laser to create highly accurate incisions and fragment the cataract for easier removal. The laser provides greater precision than manual techniques, which can result in more efficient surgery and potentially quicker recovery times.
Laser cataract surgery also allows for a more customized treatment plan, as the laser technology can be precisely tailored to each patient’s unique eye structure. This advanced approach minimizes the need for mechanical tools, making the procedure gentler on the eye.
In addition to the laser technology, patients can receive premium intraocular lenses (IOLs). These advanced lenses offer several benefits over standard IOLs, including correcting common vision problems like astigmatism and presbyopia. Premium IOLs are designed to provide clearer vision at multiple distances, reducing or even eliminating the need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery.
Types of Premium IOLs We Offer:
- Multifocal IOLs: These lenses are designed to provide clear vision near and far distances, reducing the need for reading glasses.
- Toric IOLs: Ideal for patients with astigmatism, toric IOLs correct uneven corneal curvature, improving overall vision quality.
- Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs: These lenses offer a continuous range of vision, from intermediate to far distances, providing excellent distance vision and functional near vision without additional corrective lenses.
Learn more about Premium Lens Options
What to Expect After Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure with a relatively quick recovery. Most patients notice a significant improvement in vision within a few days, though full recovery can take a few weeks. After the surgery, it’s common to experience some mild discomfort, such as itching or sensitivity to light, but these symptoms usually resolve quickly.
We provide detailed post-operative care instructions to ensure a smooth recovery, and our team is always available to answer any questions you may have. Most patients find that they are able to resume normal activities within a few days, though we recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a short period of time.
At M&M Eye Institute, we are proud to offer the most advanced cataract surgery options, including the precision of laser cataract surgery and the benefits of premium IOLs. Our goal is to help you achieve clearer, sharper vision so you can enjoy life to the fullest.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out which cataract surgery option is right for you.
Frequently asked questions about cataracts
Are there other types of cataract?
Yes. Although most cataracts are related to aging, there are other types of cataract:
- Secondary cataract. Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes. Cataracts are sometimes linked to steroid use.
- Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
- Congenital cataract. Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
- Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.
How is a cataract detected?
Cataract is detected through a comprehensive eye exam that includes:
1) Visual Acuity Test
This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances. The norm has been set at 20/20. This means the “normal” person can see the 20/20 line of letters at 20 feet. When someone is 20/60, what they can see at 20 feet the “normal” person can see at a distance of 60 feet.
2) Dilated Eye Exam
Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
3) Tonometry
An instrument measures the pressure inside the eye. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test. Your eye care professional also may do other tests to learn more about the structure and health of your eye.
Are there different types of cataract surgery?
There are two types of cataract surgery. Your doctor can explain the differences and help determine which is better for you:
1. Phacoemulsification, or phaco. A small incision is made on the side of the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. Your doctor inserts a tiny probe into the eye. This device emits ultrasound waves that soften and break up the lens so that it can be removed by suction. Most cataract surgery today is done by phacoemulsification, also called “small incision cataract surgery.”
2. Extracapsular surgery; Your doctor makes a longer incision on the side of the cornea and removes the cloudy core of the lens in one piece. The rest of the lens is removed by suction.
After the natural lens has been removed, it often is replaced by an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, plastic lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Light is focused clearly by the IOL onto the retina, improving your vision. You will not feel or see the new lens. Some people cannot have an IOL. They may have another eye disease or have problems during surgery. For these patients, a soft contact lens, or glasses that provide high magnification, may be suggested.
What research is being done?
The National Eye Institute is conducting and supporting a number of studies focusing on factors associated with the development of age-related cataracts. These studies include:
· The effect of sunlight exposure, which may be associated with an increased risk of cataract.
· Vitamin supplements, which have shown varying results in delaying the progression of cataract.
· Genetic studies, which show promise for better understanding cataract development.
What can I do to protect my vision?
Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataract. If you smoke, stop. Researchers also believe good nutrition can help reduce the risk of age-related cataract. They recommend eating green leafy vegetables, fruit, and other foods with antioxidants. If you are age 60 or older, you should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every two years. In addition to cataract, your eye care professional can check for signs of age related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other vision disorders. Early treatment for many eye diseases may save your sight.
What should I ask my eye care professional?
You can protect yourself against vision loss by working in partnership with your eye care professional. Ask questions and get the information you need to take care of yourself and your family.
What are some questions to ask about my eye disease or disorder?
· What is my diagnosis?
· What caused my condition?
· Can my condition be treated?
· How will this condition affect my vision now and in the future?
· Should I watch for any particular symptoms and notify you if they occur?
· Should I make any lifestyle changes?
About my treatment…
· What is the treatment for my condition?
· When will the treatment start and how long will it last?
· What are the benefits of this treatment and how successful is it?
· What are the risks and side effects associated with this treatment?
· Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should avoid while I’m on this treatment?
· If my treatment includes taking medicine, what should I do if I miss a dose?
· Are other treatments available?
About my tests…
· What kinds of tests will I have?
· What can I expect to find out from these tests?
· When will I know the results?
· Do I have to do anything special to prepare for any of the tests?
· Do these tests have any side effects or risks?
· Will I need more tests later?
Other suggestions
· If you don’t understand your eye care professional’s responses, ask questions until you do understand.
· Take notes or get a friend or family member to take notes for you. Or, bring a tape recorder to help you remember the discussion.
· Ask your eye care professional to write down his or her instructions to you.
· Ask your eye care professional for printed material about your condition.
· If you still have trouble understanding your eye care professional’s answers, ask where you can go for more information.
· Other members of your health care team, such as nurses and pharmacists, can be good sources of information. Talk to them, too. Today, patients take an active role in their health care. Be an active patient about your eye care.
