Cataract Surgery
Clear Vision. Brighter Future.
Expert Experience in Cataract Surgery.
If a cataract is affecting your vision enough to interfere with your daily activities,
you should consider surgery and discuss your options with your doctor.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract occurs when the lens, which lies behind the iris about one third of the way back in the eye, becomes cloudy or opacified. This blocks light needed for vision from reaching the retina and can create symptoms of blurred vision, glare, and haloes around lights.
Cataracts are painless and form slowly in most people, although it is possible for them to form quickly. In its early stages the cataract's effects may be treated with spectacles, but if your vision is affected to the point where glasses no longer help removing the cataract will usually improve your sight.
When untreated, a cataract can continue to mature until the vision deteriorates to the point of blindness.
In most situations, the vision loss from cataracts is reversible and patients enjoy improved vision soon after surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most frequent procedures in the world, with over 3 million performed in the United States every year.
New technologies and techniques developed over the past decade have made cataract surgery very safe and successful, restoring vision and improving the quality of life of millions of patients.
In some the symptoms develop so slowly one has no perception of the vision deteriorating; in others the visual disability may be very bothersome.
If a cataract is affecting your vision enough to interfere with your daily activities, you should consider cataract surgery.
How Do You Know if You Have a Cataract?
You may notice:
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A gradual painless blurring of vision
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Double vision in one eye
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Fading and yellowing of colors
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Glare or sensitivity to bright light (may cause difficulty with night driving)
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Frequent changes to glasses or contact lens prescriptions
There are no drugs or exercises that will make a cataract disappear or improve.
The only definitive way to correct a cataract that is causing significant visual impairment is with surgery.
During the surgery the cloudy cataract is removed and replaced with an acrylic lens to give the eye proper focusing power.
Often the vision is not only of a better quality after surgery, but patients also may enjoy a reduction in their glasses prescription. In most cases, the improvement in the patient's vision is significant.
Where is the Surgery Done?
Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at a day surgery center.
The procedure is done under local anesthesia with intravenous sedation, and typically takes 20-30 minutes.
You should plan about 3 hours on your surgery day to check in, fill out paperwork, have your procedure, and recover before discharge.
Post Operative Care
The Initial Examination
How Do I Get Started?
Schedule a consultation with Aaron Florkowski, M.D. today!
This extensive evaluation is typically covered by your medical insurance policy and will determine if you are a candidate for the procedure and the success you should expect afterwards.
You will be seen for your post-operative exam the day after your surgery.
By this point you will likely notice significantly improved vision; however regardless of how well you see, it is important that you keep all of your follow up appointments to assure proper healing.
Typical follow-up visits after cataract surgery are:
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Determine the extent the cataract has blurred your vision
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Take measurements of the shape and dimensions of your eye with optical imaging and ultrasound
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Examine the health of your eye including the cornea, optic nerve and retina
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Discuss your candidacy for the cataract procedure including your options for different intraocular lenses
During your examination, Dr. Florkowski will:
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One day
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One week
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One month
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Three months
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One year
Cataract Surgery Options
No procedure or implant is perfect. You should discuss potential benefits, risks, limitations, and alternatives with your doctor to determine what option is best for you and your visual needs.
Not everyone is a candidate for Astigmatic or Multifocal Cataract Surgery. Your doctor will determine if either of these lenses could work for you. Please ask for more information during your next visit.
We look forward to seeing you!
Traditional Cataract Surgery
To understand the value of new developments in cataract surgery, it is helpful to look at the way cataract surgery has been performed traditionally. In standard cataract surgery, incisions in the eye are created by the surgeon manually. The lens is then broken up with ultrasound energy to allow the lens to be removed through a small incision with vacuum. An Intraocular Lens (IOL) implant is then placed in the eye. This lens is typically a monofocal lens, meaning it is a lens that only focuses in the distance. This surgery is primarily performed to improve the patient's quality of vision and although one's glasses prescription may improve, the surgery is not performed primarily to discontinue glasses. Any astigmatism present in the patient's eye before surgery will remain and require glasses, and glasses will be required for near tasks such as using the computer, phone, and reading. Standard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance plans, subject to the usual out of pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles. This is the standard cataract surgery option.
Astigmatic Cataract Surgery
Astigmatism is caused when the cornea (the glassy dome on the front of the eye) is not perfectly dome shaped, but rather is elongated like a football. This causes blurred and distorted vision, and can be corrected with glasses or contact lenses after traditional cataract surgery. Toric Intraocular Lenses (Toric IOLs) were designed for the patient with astigmatism who wishes to see well at distance after cataract surgery. At the time of cataract surgery, astigmatism is treated by using the Lensx® Femtosecond Laser System and implanting a Toric IOL in the eye. The majority of patients treated in this manner greatly reduce their need for glasses for activities such as driving, watching TV, and viewing sporting events/theater. Most patients continue to use over the counter reading glasses for near activities. While the cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance plans, the use of the Lensx® Femtosecond Laser System and Toric IOL implantation is not covered by insurance and involves an out of pocket expense that is additional to the usual out of pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles.
Multifocal Cataract Surgery
Other forms of cataract surgery only allow the patient to focus in the distance; near tasks such as reading and using the computer require assistance with glasses or contact lenses. Multifocal Intraocular Lenses (Multifocal IOLs) are special intraocular lenses designed to provide clear vision at all ranges. Their goal is to reduce dependence on glasses for most tasks, including reading and computer work. Multifocal Cataract Surgery is performed with the Lensx® Femtosecond Laser System, which first removes any astigmatism from the visual system and performs the initial steps of the cataract surgery. A Multifocal IOL is then implanted in the eye. While the cataract surgery portion is covered by Medicare and most commercial insurance plans, the use of the Lensx® Femtosecond Laser System and Multifocal IOL implantation is not covered by insurance and involves an out of pocket expense that is additional to the usual out of pocket expenses such as copays and deductibles. During your visit, you will receive a thorough examination to evaluate if you are a good candidate for this type of cataract surgery.
Modern Cataract Surgery
Modern cataract surgery has evolved greatly in two areas: 1. The introduction of ultra fast femtosecond lasers such as the Lensx® Femtosecond Laser System has created a vast change in the way cataract surgery is done. Using Lensx® , Dr. Florkowski can provide a gentle, safe, and personalized cataract procedure with precision not achievable through traditional manual techniques by assisting in creating incisions, removing the cataract lens, and treating astigmatism. 2. The development of specialized intraocular (within the eye) lens implants that can correct astigmatism and restore vision at many ranges. A major benefit of modern surgical techniques is the use of incisions that are the width of a few pencil tips and are self sealing, usually requiring no stitches. After the natural lens has been removed, a small foldable acrylic introcular lens (IOL) is inserted and unfolds to fill the space once occupied by the lens. These intraocular lenses are the product of highly advanced engineering and are either conventional monofocal lenses or specialized toric and multifocal lenses. Thanks to these discoveries, at the time of your consultation for cataract surgery you will have the opportunity to choose if laser cataract surgery and advanced intraocular lens implantation will best fit your lifestyle and expectations.
Advanced Cataract Technology
Today's cataract surgery offers more options than simply removing the cloudy lens. Advanced technology can help your surgeon achieve precise results and give you choices for how you want to see after surgery.
The CATALYS® laser is an advanced precision-based technology that partners unmatched precision and control, helping your surgeon customize the procedure to your eye.
It is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients.
When you choose cataract surgery with this laser, you’ll enjoy various dynamic benefits.
CATALYS® features real-time diagnostic tools for an exact visual representation of what’s going on inside the eye during the procedure.
Choose the Lens That's Right For You
Your lens choice plays a big role in your vision after surgery. We offer several premium lens options to help you see clearly, reduce dependence on glasses, and fit your lifestyle.
PanOptix® Lens
See more. Depend less on glasses.
A premium lens option designed to provide a broader range of vision, so you can see clearly at near, intermediate, and distance ranges.
Toric Lens
Clearer vision with astigmatism correction.
A lens option designed to correct astigmatism as part of your cataract surgery, giving you clearer, sharper vision.
Light Adjustable Lens
Personalize your vision after surgery.
An innovative lens that allows your vision to be adjusted after cataract surgery to help achieve your desired visual outcome.
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