Cataract
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens in your eye. Though painless, cataracts can blur your vision by restricting the amount of light that enters your eye. In addition to hazy vision, indications of cataracts include unusual glare, poor night vision, and a change in how your eyes perceive colors. Most people’s natural lenses within their eye will experience cataracts at some point as they age, although some younger people can develop cataracts for various reasons. Sometimes cataracts are minor and don’t require surgery. However, when your ability to drive at night, read, sew, see smaller words on television, or do other everyday tasks is impaired, cataract surgery will likely be the best solution to achieve improved vision.
The Procedure
During surgery, the doctor will begin by making a small incision in the surface of the eye in order to remove the clouded lens. A small ultrasonic instrument is inserted in the eye to break up the cataract and a micro vacuum is used to remove it. Through the small incision a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant (IOL) is placed in the eye. The IOL will not change the outward appearance of your eye, but it can drastically improve your vision. The exact shape and size of each IOL may vary, but all are held in place by small flexible loops called haptics that are attached to the lens. IOL’s are intended to last a lifetime, and are made of materials like silicone and acrylic that will not irritate your eye. You cannot feel the IOL implant in the eye.
Risks of Intraocular Procedures
The complications of intraocular refractive procedures may be uncommon, but their consequences can be devastating. Hemorrhage, infection, retinal detachment, and persistent edema of the cornea or retina are all possible with lens implantation procedures. A need for another surgery is possible. Most complications of cataract surgery are treatable, but some can cause permanent vision loss.
Intraocular Lenses
When considering cataract surgery, it is important understand that there are a variety IOL options that will match your lifestyle and vision goals:
The vast majority of implants today are monofocal, which allow a clear image to be formed on the retina from a given distance. Most patients choose to have this type of implant. Monofocal lens implants have been used for many years and are very effective at improving vision after cataract surgery. The monofocal lenses used by the physicians at the Chippewa Valley Eye Clinic are the most advanced in their category. However, they only have the ability to provide vision at one distance. If you wore corrective lenses (glasses or contacts) before your cataract surgery, you will most likely have to wear them after the surgery as well. These implants are covered by Medicare and other health insurance.
For cataract patients who also have astigmatism, Toric Intraocular Lenses, offer a chance to enjoy quality distance vision. Astigmatism is a common condition which occurs when the shape of the cornea, or clear surface of the eye, isn’t perfectly round. This causes the light that enters the eye to focus at two points inside the eye. This is easily corrected with glasses or contact lenses. However, when these eyes have cataract surgery the astigmatism will persist with a standard monofocal lens. A Toric IOL has the astigmatism correction built into the lens. Although these lenses can help distance vision without glasses, patients will still require glasses for reading or near work like a standard monofocal IOL. Insurance does NOT cover the cost of the toric IOL lenses, so there will be an additional out of pocket cost to the patient.
If you are interested in greater freedom from glasses after cataract surgery, your physician can discuss your lifestyle and thoroughly examine your eyes to determine the best lens for you. Unfortunately, not every patient is a good candidate for this type of implant. Multifocal implants allow focusing to occur at multiple distances. Concentric rings within the lens allow light to enter different parts of the eye and focus vision for near, far and intermediate distances. These advanced lenses have the potential to reduce your need for corrective lenses altogether. However, because of the concentric rings on the design of this implant some patients experience significant night glare or contrast sensitivity with multifocal implants. Also, these lenses are NOT covered by insurance and require an additional out of pocket cost to the patient.