Columnists

What Can Cataract Surgery Do For You?

Issue 21.15

Sharpen your vision!

A cataract is a human lens that has become cloudy or yellow, instead of remaining clear.  Cataracts are like wrinkles; they come with birthdays. How many birthdays depends on your family’s health history and your luck.

Improve your focus, without glasses!

Cataract surgery gives the patient and doctor an opportunity to choose a lens implant to best fit the eye of the patient and the patient’s lifestyle. Patients with astigmatism have the option of having it fixed, two ways (a toric lens implant or femtosecond laser arcuate incision.) By correcting astigmatism, the need for prescription glasses is significantly reduced.

Improve your depth of field, the ability to see distance, intermediate and near!

If your cornea and retina are healthy, you may be a candidate for a multifocal lens implant, which allows you to have the depth of field of a 35-40 year old, with the ability to drive to the store, see the prices, write the check, review the receipt, check the cell phone and see the speedometer on the way home, all without reading glasses.

If you are not a good candidate for a multifocal lens, you can still choose whether you prefer to see far away to drive, or close up to read, without glasses. Some patients choose to mix and match, one eye for distance, one eye for near. This is called mono-vision.

Reduce the pressure in your eyes, reducing the risk of glaucoma damage!

Cataract surgery alone may reduce the pressure in the eye about 2mm of mercury. If there is a glaucoma problem, the cataract surgery can be coupled with an iStent valve, which can reduce the pressure an additional 2 to 4 mm of mercury. Some lucky glaucoma patients will be able to stop using their glaucoma drops altogether.

The idea these days is to make your vision as perfect as possible, and as maintenance-free and healthy as possible. Cataract surgery doesn’t stop the clock; your eye may change a little as you grow older. Modern cataract surgery is for maximizing your vision, and “your viewing pleasure!” I recommend an annual comprehensive eye exam to ensure you are getting the best care and treatment for your vision, not just for today, but for all your tomorrows.

If you have not had an eye exam within the last year please contact your eye care professional or call Richens Eye Center for an appointment at 435-216-1226.

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