Cataract

Have you noticed your vision worsening as you age? You may have cataracts, a common eye condition that affects nearly everyone over 60 years of age.

Luckily, the condition is highly treatable through cataract surgery, a minimally invasive procedure performed by the experienced ophthalmologists at Associated Eye Care.

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What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy areas within the natural lens of the eye that typically develop as a result of aging. As you get older, the proteins within the lens of your eye begin to change and form cloudy areas known as cataracts.

Almost everyone will get cataracts after age 60, but they often begin development around age 40. Because they form so slowly over time, many people with cataracts don't even know they have them.

As they continue to progress, you may have symptoms like:

Light sensitivity

Blurry or cloudy vision

Poor night vision

Halos and glare around lights

Double vision

Faded, dull, or yellow vision

Other prominent conditions in older adults, such as glaucoma and macular degeneration, may present with similar symptoms. It is essential to schedule regular eye exams with your eye doctor at Associated Eye Care so they can ensure you are properly diagnosed and recommend the best course of treatment to get your vision and eye health back on track.

When Should I Have Cataract Surgery?

Not everyone with cataracts needs cataract surgery right away. Your eye doctor may recommend glasses or contacts to help with vision problems due to early cataracts.

Once the cataracts begin to impact your ability to comfortably perform activities like driving, working, socializing, or maintaining an active lifestyle, you should talk to your eye doctor about cataract surgery. The procedure can restore your vision and give you the confidence you need to get back to all your favorite activities.

Check if you’re experiencing symptoms of cataracts and discover how surgery can restore your clarity and independence.

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What to Expect During Cataract Surgery

Before beginning the procedure, your cataract surgeon will ensure you are comfortable by applying numbing eye drops to your eye. Once your eye has been numbed, they will create a tiny incision to access the natural lens of your eye. Your cataract surgeon will then break up the natural lens and suction it out.

The cataract will be replaced with the intraocular lens (IOL) of your choice, a clear lens that cannot develop cataracts. Some types of IOLs may contain prescription to help focus light and reduce the need for glasses after surgery. Most patients do not need stitches and heal quickly, returning to normal activities within one to three days.

At your follow-up appointments, your eye doctor will provide you with personalized recommendations on when it's safe to return to things like driving based on how you are healing. They will also ensure you are using your protective eye shield and prescription eye drops as directed to protect your eye during recovery.

If both eyes require surgery, the eyes will be treated one at a time. Surgery can be performed in the second eye once the first eye has had time to improve. Most patients notice visual improvements within the first few days of healing, but it can take around six weeks to recover from the procedure fully.

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Which IOL Should I Choose?

Prior to surgery, you will undergo a cataract surgery consultation. At this visit, your eye doctor will perform a thorough eye exam and multiple measurements of the eyes to determine whether you are a good candidate for cataract surgery and help you select the best IOL to suit your vision needs, lifestyle, and budget.

The IOLs offered at Associated Eye Care include:

Monofocal IOLs

Monofocal IOLs are the standard lenses typically covered by Medicare or medical insurance. Monofocal lenses are intended to provide clear vision when glasses or contact lenses are worn. Most patients with monofocal lenses wear prescription glasses for clearest vision at both near and far distances.

Toric IOLs

Toric IOLs are advanced lenses specifically designed for patients with astigmatism. In addition to correcting the visual effects from the cataracts the lenses also contain astigmatism correction to provide clear vision at a single distance without glasses. Glasses are still required for clear vision at other distances. Most commonly, patients with Toric lenses choose clear distance vision and wear glasses for near and mid-range tasks.

Extended Depth of Focus IOLs

Extended depth of focus (EDOF) IOLs deliver a continuous range of clear vision that extends from far distances to about an arm’s reach. Different lenses provide this visual range using different technologies, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. If you are interested in an EDOF lens, your surgeon can review the options with you to determine which will best meet your needs. The most commonly-used EDOF lenses include Vivity, Symfony, and IC-8 Apthera. All EDOF lenses come in Toric models that can reduce astigmatism. EDOF lenses are an excellent option for individuals wanting a range of focus for an active lifestyle, but OK with the idea of reading glasses for very near visual tasks.

Full Range of Focus IOLs

Full range of focus IOLs provide clear vision at far, mid-range, and near distances. These lenses provide the greatest level of freedom from glasses and can eliminate or significantly reduce the need for glasses and contact lenses. To gain this wide range in visual focus, these lenses do require compromises in the form of nighttime halos or glare. Common lenses in this category include PanOptix and Odyssey.

Light Adjustable Lens

The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is a unique IOL that can be adjusted after cataract surgery using non-invasive UV light treatments to reach your desired visual outcome. The LAL offers the most precise outcomes of any lens option, as it is the only lens that can be adjusted after surgery to fine-tune your results. It is also the only lens that allows you to “test-drive” a specific distance of focus before finalizing your outcome. This makes it an excellent option for anyone wanting an extremely precise outcome, those desiring monovision, and those uncertain of their desired distance of focus.