CATARACT SURGERY GUIDE Revital Eyes - Wilmington Eye

CATARACT SURGERY GUIDE

RevitalEyes

Increase your vitality with clearer vision.

Cataract surgery is one of the most common outpatient procedures performed in the US, with 3.5 million cases performed each year. Thanks to advancements in the medical field, cataract surgery is now quicker, safer, and more effective than ever before. Patients have the ability to choose between a variety of cataract surgery options that can decrease and even eliminate their dependence on glasses or contacts. If you are having trouble seeing due to cataracts, our boardcertified ophthalmologists can improve your vision and help you focus on what's important in life. This Cataract Surgery Guide will explain the different options for cataract surgery and how each can help improve your vision. Please keep in mind that some options may not be suitable for all patients. Your ophthalmologist will work with you to develop a treatment plan best suited to your vision needs.

What is a cataract?

Inside of your eye, there is a natural lens that allows you to focus on objects that are near or far away. Over time, that natural lens gradually becomes cloudy and loses its ability to focus. This clouding of your lens is called a cataract. With a cataract, the images you see will become blurred, appear out of focus, dull or void of colors. A cataract can also make seeing at night more difficult and is likely the reason why reading glasses and bifocals no longer seem to help you see.

Cataracts are a natural result of the aging process; by the age of 65 over 90% of people have developed a cataract. However, as cataracts progress, they can begin to affect your vision and put limits on your daily activities and enjoyment in life. Every year, we perform thousands of cataract surgeries at Wilmington Eye, helping mature adult patients regain their vision and see clearly again.

NORMAL EYE

Iris Cornea

Normal Lens

CATARACT EYE

Iris Cornea

Lens with Cataract

Understanding your options for cataract surgery.

At Wilmington Eye, we offer several different options for cataract surgery. Our ophthalmologists will work with you to develop a treatment plan that meets your vision and lifestyle goals. To begin understanding your options, it's important to consider the life that you lead. Review the Lifestyle Questionnaire below to determine which activities are most important to your lifestyle.

On a scale of very important, slightly important, not important at all, please rate the following activities and their importance in your daily life.

VERY IMPORTANT | SLIGHTLY IMPORTANT | NOT IMPORTANT AT ALL

Near Activities

Reading newspapers or books Using a smartphone Sewing

Intermediate Activities

Working on a computer Reading a menu or price tags Cooking

Far Away Activities

Driving during the day Playing golf or tennis Watching movies

Nighttime Activities

Driving at night Star gazing Watching plays and live theater

How do you feel about glasses?

I like glasses Glasses don't bother me I want to get rid of my glasses

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Traditional cataract surgery is covered by most insurances, including Medicare. In traditional cataract surgery, your surgeon will make incisions into your cornea (the clear and most outer layer of your eye) using a blade. Then, another handheld device called an ultrasonic probe will be used to divide the cataract into small pieces. Once the cataract has been broken up into small, manageable pieces, the cataract is suctioned out of the eye using ultrasonic energy. Now that the old, clouded lens has been removed, a new, artificial lens (called an intraocular lens or IOL for short) is implanted into the eye.

Traditional cataract surgery will be performed on one eye at a time, usually 2 weeks apart. This is to minimize risks associated with your procedure and ensure optimal visual outcomes.

Make small incision into cornea

Ultrasonic probe to divide cataract into small pieces

Advantages

Traditional cataract surgery is covered by most insurances, including Medicare.

Your clouded lens or cataract is completely removed from your eye and an artificial lens is implanted to allow you to see clearly again.

Disadvantages

Many patients who undergo traditional cataract surgery will still require prescription glasses full-time to see at all distances.

Cataract is suctioned out with ultrasonic energy

Artificial lens is implanted

Improved vision with new intraocular lens implant

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