Cataract Surgery
Home -> Services -> Cataract Surgery
Cataract Surgery
After leaving a cataract consultation with us at TEC, you will understand the current approach and innovations on cataract surgery and will be able to make up your mind according to your goals and current situation.
Measurements and Tests
To make sure you get the most appropriate treatment, we use a series of tests and advanced measurements:
- One of them is a tear film analysis to evaluate additional causes that contribute to poor vision.
- We can perform an OCT to assess the health status of your retina.
- After completing a corneal study, we will also get enough data about the curvature of your cornea.
- We will also measure your pupil size to evaluate which implant works better for you.
- It is also possible to create a clear image of the angle between the iris and the cornea to determine your risk for angle-closure glaucoma.
- We also have available lens density measurements to determine the severity and extent of your cataracts
- Through Wavefront technology, we make sure whether your cataracts are the real source of your blurry vision
- Through A-scan or Optical Biometry, we also measure your eye’s length, the distance between your lens and cornea, and the curvature of the cornea.
What happens during cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure performed in three steps:
- We make small incisions in the eye to allow the entry of a minimal instrument
- Cataracts are then broken into pieces by ultrasonic waves and suctioned away
- An implanted lens is placed in replacement for the old lens.
Best Candidates
The majority of patients are good candidates for a cataract removal procedure, except for:
- Patients with feeble health
- Pregnant or nursing women
- Patients who are taking certain medications
- Patients with certain preexisting eye conditions
- Patients who can’t go through surgery procedures
It is very rare to be ineligible for treatment. Still, if that’s the case, we will discuss all of your available options during your private consultation.
What else do I need to know about cataract treatment?
There are two main methods to remove a cataract:
- Phacoemulsification: It uses ultrasound waves to break the cataract into pieces and suction them away through a small incision.
- Extracapsular extraction: Involves a complete lens removal but requires a larger incision.
According to the exams detailed above, we will choose among different sizes and shapes of implants. All of them will be held by haptics, which looks like flexible loops that will be attached to the lens.
The incision will be made in the white portion of the eye, at the far edge of the cornea. In most cases, small incisions heal very quickly and do not require stitches. A larger incision needs stitches but also heals appropriately after some time.
After healing completely, your vision is expected to improve significantly. Still, you may need glasses for some time. The duration of implants is meant to be for a lifetime. However, there’s a possibility that a secondary cataract will be formed. In this case, we use YAG capsulotomy, a type of laser treatment to make a small opening on the cloudy capsule and regain your vision. The implants will not irritate the eye and are made with acrylic materials and silicone.
Types of Lens Implants
Before performing cataract surgery, we will make sure to know what type of implant is best for you. There are many options to choose:
MONOFOCAL LENS IMPLANTS
This type of implants is designed to adopt a fixed focus, which can be near, at a distance, or intermediate. This type of implant is associated with a better vision at a distance. Still, you may require corrective lenses for a better vision in other positions not covered by the monofocal lens. Unlike the natural lens, they will not change according to the distance of the objects you see, which is why you may need to use reading glasses. Our monofocal lenses are carefully chosen among the most advanced options, most of them designed for distance sight and with excellent image quality.
One example is the Tecnis lens, which is Wavefront-adjusted and offers an improvement in functional vision. This type of lens corrects your vision at a distance and your nighttime vision at the same time.
MULTIFOCAL LENS IMPLANTS
This type of lens is especially useful for presbyopia. This condition causes distortions in near visions and makes it difficult to see objects up close. It is a prevalent condition that affects people over age 40, and almost every one of us at a certain degree after age 50 years.
In these cases, multifocal lenses are designed to offer an area dedicated for near vision and other for intermediate or distance vision. This reduces the need for reading glasses in people with presbyopia.
An example of multifocal implants is ReStor. They allow focusing at a distance or nearby objects by making use of the light that enters the eye at different parts. They are made with concentric circles, each one designed for a separate focus area to stabilize vision at a close range and a distance. This type of technology allows us to get rid of corrective lenses, which makes it a fascinating choice.
TORIC LENS IMPLANTS
This type of lenses is designed for patients with cataracts and astigmatism. In cases of astigmatism, the cornea has an irregular shape. That’s why toric lenses have a unique surface designed to eliminate the effects of this irregular shape and provide clear vision at a distance that does not rely on glasses or contact lenses. They also provide improved sensitivity to contrast in low lights, night glare, and fog.
What should I expect?
After the procedure is finished, you will be given a series of instructions for your post-operative care. Our team will also show you how to use the eye drops to accelerate your healing process.
Do not rub, scratch, or make pressure on your eyes. Wear a protective shield and do not touch your eyes until they are fully healed. Make sure you have someone to drive you back home because you’re not recommended to drive after the procedure.
All of these and other instructions will be handed to you along with your next appointment. Do not miss any follow-up and be sure to call our office if you have any concern or question about your surgical procedure or the outcomes you’re experiencing.
We will always be here for you
If you’re thinking about cataract surgery, we strongly advise you to go to a center with many implant options to get one that suits your lifestyle.
TEC offers a very long list of implants and lens for near vision and distant vision. Call us to schedule your consultation and clear your vision with us at TEC.
Be sure to follow our recommendations and ask any questions you may have regarding your eye condition and treatment options.
Our professionals at Texas Eye and Cataract are ready to help you if you have concerns or problems related to cataract removal procedure or any other that has to do with eye health. Besides cataract surgery, we offer top-notch procedures and the best technology available for conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and droopy eyelids. We will make sure you’re comfortable with our world-class care, and address your concerns in one of our centers located throughout Texas, in Waxahachie, Mansfield, Corsicana, Ennis, DeSoto, Waco, Red Oak, Midlothian, Lancaster, Ferris, Palmer, Athens, and Cleburne. Fill out your appointment form or call us at 469-505-2020 for personalized medical attention
At Texas Eye and Cataract, we know how important it is to see life with clear vision. We understand that being your best means seeing your best.