What Is a Cataract?
The term cataracts refers to the eye’s natural lens. Clear at birth, the lens becomes cloudy over time, causing vision problems and can eventually cause blindness if left untreated. Cataracts are completely normal and typically develop sometime in our 50s or 60s. Surgery is the only treatment for a cataract. You should consider surgery when cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with your daily activities.
Can Cataracts Be Prevented?
Most cataracts occur with age. However, a good, balanced diet, protection from the sun, and restraint from smoking can delay the development of cataracts.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Cataract Surgery (Removal)
Cataract surgery is a routine, virtually painless outpatient procedure that replaces your clouded lens with a clear intraocular lens implant. Cataract removal is performed through a procedure called phacoemulsification. In this procedure, high-energy ultrasound waves are used to gently remove your cataract. In most cases, we use only eye drop anesthesia, allowing our patients the fastest possible recovery. Once the cataract is removed, a permanent, artificial lens is inserted. It is not uncommon for our patients to have the benefit of dramatically improved vision within a few hours of their procedure.
Clear Lens Exchange
For those with presbyopia that are not yet candidates for cataract removal, your surgeon may offer an elective procedure known as clear lens exchange. This procedure uses the same successful techniques as modern cataract surgery by replacing your natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) designed to reduce or eliminate your need for readers, bifocals or even trifocals.
Results After Cataract Treatment
I’ve been in business and observed interactions between customers and employees my whole life. I cannot say enough about how impressed and pleased I was with my entire experience with Longwood Eye & LASIK Center. From the first phone call to set up the appointment, to the time Dr. Warren spent with me before and after my surgery, and all of my pre and post-operative appointments, it was a truly a pleasant experience!
Three of my friends had similar cataract procedures, and prior to my conversation with them, I had no idea that this type of procedure was available. It is totally remarkable how I feel and how my vision has improved without the use of contact lenses. Simply put, my results are outstanding and I have never experienced this level of professionalism and care, and I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Warren and his team at Longwood Eye & LASIK Center.
-Michael M – Cataract Surgery with John Warren, MD
Which Lens Is Best for Me?
Distance Correcting Monofocal IOLs
Traditionally, the lens implant used for cataract surgery is a monofocal IOL. In most cases, the monofocal lens provides good distance vision for driving, walking, and some everyday activities. However, most people receiving monofocal lenses still require reading glasses or bifocals to have a full range of vision.
- Traditional
- Advanced
Astigmatism Correcting IOLs
Approximately 20% of cataract surgery patients have a significant degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism creates distortion in vision and is not corrected by traditional cataract or lens replacement surgery. The unique design of the Toric IOL makes it possible to provide quality distance vision and reduce or eliminate astigmatism at the same time.
- Clareon TORIC
- Tecnis TORIC
- enVista TORIC
Enhanced vision option
This option combines the optics of advanced wavefront-designed monofocal IOL with modern surgical planning and techniques to provide a higher quality and overall enhanced vision with a monofocal designed IOL. These techniques will also further reduce or eliminate your need for distance glasses including low levels of pre-existing astigmatism. In a clinical study, these more advanced optics provided improved visibility, better contrast sensitivity, and reduced glare.
Vision correction decisions are among the most important you will ever make. There are many intraocular lens (IOL) options available, including traditional monofocal, advanced monofocal, toric and multifocal, IOLs. Your doctor will discuss all the options available and recommend the IOL that is best for you.
Presbyopic Correcting IOLs
Previous lens replacement technologies provided only one improved focal point, distance, leaving people dependent on readers or bifocals after cataract surgery. Furthermore, in the past, those who were not yet cataract surgery candidates had no good alternatives to readers, bifocals, or trifocals. Recent advances in lens technology now make it possible to improve vision at all ranges, near through distance, with increased freedom from glasses or contact lenses. Our doctors are proud to offer the most advanced multifocal IOLs to give our patients the best possible vision.
- Tecnis Synergy Multifocal
- Clareon PanOptix Multifocal
What Are the Risks Associated with Lens Replacement Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. These may include infection, retinal detachment, an increase in eye pressure, reactions to medications, and vision changes. Our doctors will discuss all risks and benefits with you before your surgery.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Common side effects include redness, scratchiness, and light sensitivity. You may also experience glare, halos around lights, and blurred vision. These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night or working in low light for a period of time, however they generally resolve over time.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Cataract surgery is generally a simple, outpatient procedure requiring only a few hours of your time. Patients should plan on being at the surgery center for about 2-3 hours.
Where Will My Surgery Be Performed?
Your lens replacement procedure will be performed by one of our surgeons in an outpatient surgery center or hospital facility.
What Can I Expect After My Surgery?
After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. Plan to have someone drive you home. Everyone heals differently, but most patients can return to their normal activities the very next day. You will return to our office for a postoperative visit the next day. You will notice an improvement in your vision at that time which will continue to sharpen over the next 30 days. Eye drops will be prescribed to prevent infection and help your eye to heal.
How Will I See After Cataract Surgery?
Once the cloudy lens is removed, you will see a dramatic improvement in the clarity of your vision. Colors will be brighter, more vivid. And advanced lens implants, such as Tecnis, ReSTOR, and Crystalens, can deliver vision that is uniquely suited to your lifestyle. Dr. Warren and Dr. Fay will talk with you to understand your vision needs and can recommend a lens implant that gives you a fuller range of vision, allowing you to spend most of your day without glasses.
Will I Need to Wear Glasses After My Cataract Surgery?
During traditional cataract surgery, a single focus lens is implanted. Often times this gives patients good distance vision but still requires them to wear reading glasses for near vision. However, we offer our patients the option for a multifocal or accommodating lens implant that may allow them good vision at any distance, near through far.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about cataract surgery and would like to see if you are a good candidate, please call 1-855-286-2020 or request a consultation online.
Testimonials
Amazing staff. Always a good experience. Dr. Ying is the best!May 07, 2024
Highly recommended for laser correction surgery! The surgical center in Springfield is beautiful and very clean. I had a great outcome and can see so well! The office in Gardner has been following me after the surgery and both Dr. Maher and Dr. Glavine are great! Both are highly skilled doctors and they provide excellent patient care. Everyone at the front desk and the office manager are very nice. I will continue to see them for my routine eye care and they now have a lifelong patient. Thank you to everyone on this team for being excellent healthcare providers.May 06, 2024
Highly recommend. I went for LASIK vision correction. From the first phone call asking about the process- to scheduling- to interacting with staff at every appointment, top to bottom this place was very friendly and accommodating. Hardly any wait times for appointments and everyone was super nice and made me feel safe and secure. 10/10.May 06, 2024
From the consultation to post-op care, Dr. Walkowiak was amazing! Every time I came in for an appointment for my LASIK, the waiting room was clean and organized and the receptionists were great! Everyone was concerned for privacy and was highly attentive. I am going to recommend everyone I know to Longwood Eye! My eyes are at a 20/15 after my LASIK surgery and I have been wearing glasses since I was 10 years old. It was a little scary when I went in for the surgery and everyone made me feel very comfortable. From Dr. Warren explaining the process to keeping me informed during surgery, I felt less scared as the surgery progressed. I am very happy with my results for this surgery! With a free consultation this is the best place in the area!May 06, 2024
Highly recommended for laser correction surgery! The surgical center in Springfield is beautiful and very clean. I had a great outcome and can see so well! The office in Gardner has been following me after the surgery and both Dr. Maher and Dr. Glavine are great! Both are highly skilled doctors and they provide excellent patient care. Everyone at the front desk and the office manager are very nice. I will continue to see them for my routine eye care and they now have a lifelong patient. Thank you to everyone on this team for being excellent healthcare providers.May 06, 2024
Highly recommended for laser correction surgery! The surgical center in Springfield is beautiful and very clean. I had a great outcome and can see so well! The office in Gardner has been following me after the surgery and both Dr. Maher and Dr. Glavine are great! Both are highly skilled doctors and they provide excellent patient care. Everyone at the front desk and the office manager are very nice. I will continue to see them for my routine eye care and they now have a lifelong patient. Thank you to everyone on this team for being excellent healthcare providers.May 06, 2024
From the consultation to post-op care, Dr. Walkowiak was amazing! Every time I came in for an appointment for my LASIK, the waiting room was clean and organized and the receptionists were great! Everyone was concerned for privacy and was highly attentive. I am going to recommend everyone I know to Longwood Eye! My eyes are at a 20/15 after my LASIK surgery and I have been wearing glasses since I was 10 years old. It was a little scary when I went in for the surgery and everyone made me feel very comfortable. From Dr. Warren explaining the process to keeping me informed during surgery, I felt less scared as the surgery progressed. I am very happy with my results for this surgery! With a free consultation this is the best place in the area!May 06, 2024
This was one of the best doctor experiences I have had! I had LASIK almost 2 weeks ago. They were thorough, helpful, so friendly and it is just a great place! If you are considering LASIK, I would absolutely go with them!May 05, 2024
I was recommended here by my sister-in-law for LASIK surgery. Let me tell you, it was the best thing I have ever done. I had LASIK done back in December of last year and words cannot describe how happy I am, that I no longer have to wear glasses. The surgery was fast and painless - I did not feel anything. Dr. Warren and his team are amazing. They told me everything that was happening every step of the way. I am beyond thankful to Dr. Warren because he did an amazing job. I would recommend getting LASIK to anyone that wants to get rid of their glasses. And the staff is amazing as well. Thank you all so much from making the appointment to getting surgery it was all so easy, they all made me feel welcomed and at home.May 04, 2024
I had LASIK surgery with Dr.Warren and it was amazing! The entire team was so comforting and knowledgeable from start to finish and helped me stay calm throughout the procedure. The next day I had better than 20/20 vision with no pain or discomfort. Definitely worth it!May 03, 2024
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