Surgical Services

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens that interferes with light passing through to the retina. Sufferers usually describe the condition as being similar to looking through a waterfall, or a piece of wax paper, with a gradual blurring or dimming of vision.

Reading may become more difficult and driving a car can actually become dangerous. Cataract sufferers may also be troubled by bothersome glare, halos around lights, or even double vision. As the cataract becomes worse, frequent changes in eyeglass prescriptions may become necessary.

Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, there is only one way to achieve clear vision again, and that is to physically remove the cataract from the eye and insert a clear artificial lens. Today, this condition can be corrected surgically on an outpatient basis.

Cataract development is usually a very gradual process but can occasionally occur rapidly. Many people are unaware that they have cataracts because the changes in their vision are very gradual. Cataracts are very common, affecting roughly 60% of people over the age of 60, and over 1.5 million cataract surgeries are performed in the United States each year.

At Advanced Eye Care in Bel Air, Dr. Lisa Feulner performs a state-of-the-art procedure that promotes fast recovery and has restored functional vision to thousands of patients.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery has existed in this world for over a century, but it is the recent innovations in technology that have transformed this into a very safe and effective surgery. The success rate for cataract surgery is extremely high, with over 90% of patients experiencing clear uncorrected vision after surgery. Cataract surgery is actually the most reimbursed medical surgery by Medicare today! Today, advanced artificial intraocular lenses (IOLs) have allowed patients to recover more youthful eyesight. Instead of dealing with glasses after surgery some patients may have the choice to upgrade to a new premium type of lens that will enable vision at multiple distances. In addition to the new lens implants available, less invasive surgery techniques have come to fruition to enable much faster healing. Despite the effectiveness of the cataract surgery the preparation process may take weeks and various decisions will need to be made.

Before your cataract surgery your eye must be properly cleaned and dilated. A topical anesthetic is used before the small incision is made. An ultrasonic device will be inserted into the small incision to gently break up the hard yellow proteins that form the cataract, and remove them from the eye.

A folded intraocular lens will be inserted through the original incision. This lens will replace your natural lens and stay in place inside your eye, providing you with clear vision after the procedure. You will not be able to feel or sense the implanted lens in any way. The small incision will then self-seal itself without the need for stitches.

It is important that you discuss your vision expectations with your eye surgeon to determine the right premium lens implant for you. Learn more about the Premium Lens Implants offered at Advanced Eye Care in Bel Air.

Recovering from cataract surgery is fast and relatively easy! Most patients will notice improved vision with their new lens within the first 24 hours. It is important that you follow the postoperative instructions provided by your cataract surgeon. It is important that you refrain from strenuous physical activity and from rubbing your eyes during the first few weeks after surgery.

Acrysof IQ ReSTOR

Are you ready to be free of reading glasses or bifocals? Until recently, this was not an option, but now with the introduction of the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL (Intraocular Lens), the possibility of being free of reading glasses has arrived! This new lens is FDA approved and is giving patients clear vision at all distances…near, intermediate and far!

The Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the natural lens, which has become clouded by cataracts. This new lens can provide enhanced vision quality and full range of vision, giving patients an increased independence from reading glasses and bifocals.

Our eyes are continuously focusing on objects at different distances. Whether it be watching television, sitting at a computer or driving, our eyes automatically focus on different things at different distances quite quickly. As we age, the ability for our eyes to change focus, or accommodate, weakens, which leads to the need for bifocals and reading glasses. By combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and refractive technologies, the Acrysof IQ ReStor IOL provides quality near, intermediate and distance vision and increased independence from reading glasses and bifocals.

Clinical Trial Data for the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL:

The US clinical trials included a three-month follow-up exam of near, intermediate and distance visual acuities.

• The percentage of patients who achieved 20/20 or better at all three distances with the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +3.0 D was nearly fourfold the rate of patients who received the control lens, AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +4.0 D.
• The clinical studies also showed a high rate of patient satisfaction with over 95 percent of patients stating that they would have this lens implanted again.

Crystalens Aspheric

Would you like to be able to read, see at a distance and see everything in between? With the new advanced technologically Crystalens AO, seeing clearly at all distances without the need of reading glasses or bi-focals is now a possibility. The Crystalens AO IOL (Intraocular lens) is the first of its kind to mimic the contraction of eye muscles to accommodate and focus at near, immediate and far distances. The main difference between the Crystalens AO and other multifocal lenses is that the Crystalens uses technology to accommodate and allow clear vision at all distances, instead of just multiple distances with multifocal lenses, which are divided into zones of vision. It also significantly lowers glare and halos around lights at night compared to multifocal technology.

The Crystalens AO is the first aberration free accommodating IOL; this lens has an elongated shape to help improve contract sensitivity and reduce higher order aberrations that can distort vision.

The Crystalens AO is implanted during cataract surgery and gives patients the ability to see at all distances without the need of reading glasses or bi-focals.

Clinical Trial Data for the Crystalens AO

FDA one-year clinical study

• 92% of the people enrolled in the study (implanted bilaterally) could see 20/25 or better at distance, 96% could see 20/20 at arm's length and 73% could see 20/25 at near without glasses or contact lenses.
• 98% of these people could pass their drivers test, 100% could see their computer or put on their makeup, and 98% could read a magazine, all without glasses or contact lenses.

Acrysof IQ Toric IOL (Intraocular Lens)

An Option for Treating Astigmatism and Cataracts

Acrysof IQToric® IOL technology uses biocompatible materials that have been successfully used in contact lenses and proven safe for the eye. There is an additional cost for this lens implant.

Many patients suffer from this common eye condition known as astigmatism. Often this astigmatism can lead to blurred or impaired vision if it becomes moderate or severe. The cause of the blurred and impaired vision is the result of the eye's cornea or lens having an irregular shape. A normal eye's cornea and lens have a circular shape whereas an eye with astigmatism has a longer more oval shape.

The AcrySof Toric® corrects for both conditions, cataracts and astigmatism. The Acrysof Toric® IOL is a foldable, single piece lens that is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof Toric® IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. AcrySof Toric lens provides excellent distance vision, independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.

Clinical Study Data for the Acrysof IQ Toric® IOL:

• 94% of patients acheived uncorrected distance of 20/40 or better
• Improved contrast sensitivity in low-light situations
• significant reducton in both spherical and total high order abberations
• Improved fuctional vision in challenging enviroments such as night driving, glare and fog

About Glaucoma:

Glaucoma is a complicated disease in which damage to the optic nerve results in vision loss. There are several forms of glaucoma; the two most common forms are primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and angle- closure glaucoma (ACG).

Facts About Glaucoma:

• Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness
• There is no cure for glaucoma—yet
• Everyone is at risk
• There may be no symptoms

Depending upon the type of glaucoma, treatment may include medication, usually prescription eyedrops, or surgery to lower the pressure in the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve. While there is no cure as yet for glaucoma, early diagnosis and continuing treatment can preserve eyesight.

Medications:

A number of medications are currently in use to treat glaucoma. Your doctor may prescribe a combination of medications or change your prescription over time to reduce side-effects or provide a more effective treatment. Typically medications are intended to reduce elevated intraocular pressure and prevent damage to the optic nerve.

Surgical Options:

Surgery involves either laser treatment or making a cut in the eye to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP). The type of surgery your doctor recommends will depend on the type and severity of your glaucoma and the general health of your eye. Surgery can help lower pressure when medication is not sufficient, however it cannot reverse vision loss.

Have you been considering having LASIK Laser Vision Correction to free yourself from glasses or contact lenses? LASIK has become the most popular vision correction option, with over 3 million procedures done across the world. Review the topics below to learn more about LASIK in Bel Air. Dr. Feulner looks forward to meeting with you and discussing your vision correction options.

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