Cataract Surgery

Modern Cataract Surgery

Modern cataract surgery is a very commonly performed surgery and has come quite a long ways in the last 20 years.  Today, it is a relatively painless procedure which typically takes 10 to 15 minutes and is performed on an outpatient basis.  Usually the vision is improved tremendously and it remains one of the most successful medical procedures performed today.

Cataracts cause a blurring of vision as well as a decrease in quality of vision, including colors.  Patients often describe vision through a cataract as "washed out".

 A cataract is nothing more than a yellowing and hardening of the natural crystalline lens inside of the eye.  It is not a growth, tumor or visible tissue, as some patients commonly believe.

The cataractous lens inside of the eye is demonstrated by this figure.

The image is focused by the cataractous lens, causing blurring of the image.

A lens implant made of a plastic material is implanted in the eye at the time of surgery.  This is a typical lens implant used in modern cataract surgery.

Ultrasound energy is used to remove the cataract through a very small incision in the cornea.  Cataract surgery is NOT done with laser as some patients commonly believe.

Cataract Surgery Video

For more information regarding cataract surgery, contact us