CATARACT SURGERY AND INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANTS

WHAT IS A CATARACT?

We are born with a structure inside our eye called the lens, this lens bends (refracts) light rays in such way the it helps us see clearly. Any opacity in the human lens is called a cataract. Cataracts can cause cloudy or blurry vision, photofobia, and things might seem less colorful. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide! Fortunately it can be solved with surgery and intraocular lens implantation.

CATARACT SURGERY

The only definitive solution for cataract is surgery. Cataract surgery is an extremely safe procedure.. It is performed as an outpatient procedure under local anesthesia. The recovery is usually pretty quick as we typically use incisions 2mm wide (this is about a tenth of an inch). It is practically mandatory to implant an intraocular lens during the procedure if it is possible.

INTRAOCULAR LENS IMPLANT

During the procedure an intraocular lens with a specific power calculated for each eye (according to its size and corneal power) is implanted. There are many types of intraocular lenses as well as  quality of materials of which they are made. Some of these can even correct astigmatism (these are called toric intraocular lenses). We also have presbyopia correcting intraocular lenses. Trifocal intraocular lenses have just recently been approved by the FDA in the USA (september 2019) even though we have used them for a couple of years in some countries such as Mexico and several european countries. I particularly use the Alcon PanOptix trifocal lens (this is the only FDA approved trifocal).

REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE

This procedure is an excellent option for patients over 50 years who would like to reduce their need for reading glasses or bifocals. It is also a better option than LASIK, PRK or phakic IOLs in patientes with presbyopia . Please contact us if you need more information.

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