Cataracts Surgery

The eye contains a clear lens just behind the pupil which contributes heavily to focusing light on the retina, allowing you to see. When the lens loses its transparency, this cloudy condition is known as a cataract, from the word meaning “waterfall” – because it originally was described as though one were looking through a waterfall.

Cataracts cause progressive, painless loss of vision. The lens clouds naturally as we age, so there is a gradual reduction in clarity of vision. No one is sure what causes cataracts. In younger people, this can result from an injury, certain medications, or various medical disorders, such as diabetes. Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light may play a role in the formation of cataracts. Studies have also shown that people who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than non-smokers. 

Although cataracts usually develop without apparent pain, some indications that a cataract may be forming are as follows:

	Blurred or hazy vision
	Double vision
	Poor vision in bright light
	Seeing halos around lights
	Yellowish tinged vision
	Loss of color perception
	Night vision difficulty

If visual impairment interferes with your ability to read, work, or do the things you enjoy, then you will want to consider cataract surgery. Surgery is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts. Cataract surgery is a relatively painless and one of the most frequently performed procedures in the world, with a very high success rate and low rate of complication. More than 90 percent of cataract surgery patients regain useful vision, and where there is no coexisting other disorder of the eye, that percentage well exceeds 95 percent. 

When the cataract is removed, usually with topical (eye drop) or local injection anesthesia, a lens implant is placed in the eye where the cloudy (cataract) lens is removed. Traditionally this implant provides good distance vision, though optimal vision may require use of glasses or secondary procedures to further refine the correction or to eliminate astigmatism. 

In the last several years, we have been able to utilize multifocal lenses such as the RESTOR which provides excellent near vision and good distance and intermediate vision as well. 

An additional option is the use of “Toric” lenses, such as the AcrySof Toric. These lenses can significantly reduce residual astigmatism, further decreasing the likelihood of requiring significant glasses correction after surgery.

The lens which will be best for you can only be determined by an evaluation of not only your eye, but a careful consideration of your lifestyle; your specific visual needs; and your tolerance for various possible inconveniences which may occur with any of the various lens types chosen. 

If you have an interest in these “premium” lens implants, be sure to ask for further information. 

Carrollton Eye Clinic performs nearly all of its surgery within our own surgery center, located within the Carrollton Eye Clinic. This allows the patient to have all preoperative testing, the actual surgery and all postoperative care under the same roof. In some instances, you may wish to have portions of your postoperative care done by your regular eye doctor. Our staff will be pleased to discuss this with you. 

If you, a friend, or a loved one believe that cataract may be compromising good vision, please give our clinic a call for an appointment or evaluation at 770-834-1008.

Lens Implantation Surgery

These are very small biocompatible lenses designed to be placed permanently inside the eye to correct larger degrees of near and farsightedness. About 2 weeks before surgery, a laser iridotomy is performed in the clinic to help insure that placement of the lens will not cause blockage of fluids that flow in the front chamber of the eye. The lens implant is a simple outpatient procedure. Recovery of vision is typically very rapid.