Cataract and lens implantation surgery has advanced tremendously over the past decade and particularly over the past five years. As technology has advanced quickly it is imperative that physicians stay abreast of the latest developments. This enables us to offer our patients the best quality of vision possible. Ophthalmologists who became board certified since 1993 are required to re-qualify every 10 years to maintain board certification. This requires a minimum of 300 hours of continuing medical education in addition to passing a comprehensive examination.
Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure that usually takes less than 15 minutes. It is performed with anesthetic eye drops and intravenous sedation to ensure that the patient is relaxed. Ultrasound is used to dissolve the cataract. The lens implant is then introduced into the eye through a small incision, which self seals. There is no pain afterwards and typically, other than having a dilated pupil, the eye looks normal. The eyelashes are not trimmed and no patch is needed. Vision recovers quickly, and by the next day patients are able to function normally. Vision continues to improve over the course of the next two weeks. The cataract in the second eye is usually removed two weeks after the first eye.
Astigmatism can be treated at the same time as cataract surgery in order to improve the ability to see clearly after surgery without glasses. Premium lens implants, such as the ReSTOR™ lens, enable one to see clearly far away and up close without glasses. We have been using these lenses for over two years with excellent results.
A pre-operative evaluation is needed to ensure that cataracts are indeed the problem and that no other eye conditions are affecting the vision. Corneal topography and wave front analysis are among the latest diagnostic equipment that we use to help assess the condition of the eye. The latest equipment is also used to measure the eye to determine the optimal power of lens implant to be placed in the eye. Lens implants are made in a wide range of focusing power. The lens implant is chosen to offset the focusing problem that the eye has before surgery in order to correct near-sightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism.
Natural vision without glasses or contact lenses is now possible and is available right here in Santa Clarita. There is no longer any need to travel outside of our valley for the best care available!
For more information, please call 661-259-3937.