Cataract
A cataract is clouding of the natural lens in our eyes. The lens is situated just behind the iris or ‘colored’ part of our eyes.
When we are young our natural lens is clear and soft. If we are wearing proper eyeglass correction if needed, we can see clearly at distance and at near both. As we get into our forties, the lens has become stiffer and we lose our ability to see near things which requires a soft lens. This leads us to have to wear reading glasses or add bifocals to our eyeglasses. This condition is called presbyopia (from Greek meaning old or aged).
As we age further our lens becomes hazy and develops additional areas of distortion and/or clouding within its substance. This is called cataract. This clouding of the lens leads to blurring, distortion, double vision, loss of contrast and color and symptoms of glare especially at night.
Most cataracts are related to the natural aging process and are very common as we age. By age 80, more than half of all Americans will either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Cataracts typically occur in both eyes but do not ‘spread’ from one eye to the other.
Cataracts can also result from injury, disease or even long-term exposure to sunlight.
Although there is interest in whether antioxidants can play a role in reducing cataract formation, the only currently known treatment for cataract is surgery.
Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the most popular and highly successful surgical procedures, and can quickly and painlessly improve your vision to a level that can many times be even better than before development of the cataracts.
It has been reported in respected scientific journals that more than 98% of cataract surgery patients have had their vision successfully improved following surgery.
Thanks to our advanced small-incision, no needle, no stitch, no patch cataract surgery techniques, coupled with vision-correcting implant lenses (IOL’s), and our personalized approach to your eyes and your specific surgery, many times you will only need reading glasses after traditional cataract surgery. If you chose custom vision correction you may also in most cases eliminate the need for glasses altogether.
Insurance
Most medical insurance plans offer coverage that will pay for a large percentage of traditional cataract surgery. We will gladly provide you an explanation of your coverage.