Dr. Zoran Aleksic answers some of the most Frequently Asked Cataract Eye Surgery Questions.
DISCLAIMER: Always follow the advice of your medical professional.
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A cataract is a cloudiness of the eye's natural lens, which lies between the front and back areas of the eye, directly behind the pupil.
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The only way to treat cataracts is to remove them surgically. There are currently no other medical procedures or options which can cure or treat a cataract.
Please speak with Dr. Aleksic or one of our teams to find out how we can reverse the reduction of vision using the latest Cataract Surgery Techniques to improve your daily life.
How is it surgically removed?
A small incision is made in the front surface of the eye with a scalpel or a laser. A circular hole is then cut in the front of the thin membrane (anterior capsule) that encloses the eye's natural lens. Typically the lens is then broken into smaller pieces with a laser or an ultrasonic device so it can be more easily removed from the eye.
Once the entire lens is removed, it is replaced with a clear implant called an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore vision. In most cases, the eye heals quickly after surgery without stitches.
Today, several steps in cataract surgery can be performed with a computer-controlled laser instead of hand-held instruments.
Learn more about the intraocular lenses here by watching our video.
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No matter if the surgical removal of a cataract encounters no surgical complications there is always a slight chance that the patient’s vision after surgery will not be 100% perfect.
This can be due to residual optical error or possible changes in the retina due to age such as Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) or Diabetic Retinopathy, or other pathologies.
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With today’s technology we are able to reduce the need for reading and distance glasses in 93% or more patients who are having cataract surgery by using Multifocal implants.
In our facility we will be able to test and assess if you are the correct candidate for this option. We use the best technology available in Multifocal implants ranging from Tri-Focal implants to extended depth of focus implants.
If you are interested to find out if this option is suitable for you, please book a consultation.
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Yes, there is.
There is a very successful procedure that we perform, called Refractive Lens Exchange with Multifocal implant. We use different type implants and one of them is manufactured by Zeiss (Germany). These are highly specialized implants that can reduce your dependency on any glasses in more than 93% of cases.
If you are interested, please phone our rooms for an assessment, after which we will be able to let you know if you are the correct candidate for this procedure or not.
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Most cataracts develop slowly over time and mostly affect people over the age of 50.
In rare cases, infants can have congenital cataracts. These usually are related to the mother having German measles, chickenpox, or another infectious disease during pregnancy; but sometimes they are inherited.
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In some cases, months or years after cataract surgery, the posterior portion of the lens capsule, that is left inside the eye during surgery for safety reasons, becomes hazy, causing vision to again become blurred.
This "secondary cataract" (also called posterior capsular opacification) usually can easily be treated with a less invasive follow-up procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy. In most cases, this 15-minute procedure effectively restores clear vision.
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In some cases, months or years after cataract surgery, the posterior portion of the lens capsule, that is left inside the eye during surgery for safety reasons, becomes hazy, causing vision to again become blurred. We call this a "secondary cataract".
This "secondary cataract" (also called posterior capsular opacification) can usually be easily treated with a less invasive follow-up procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy. In most cases, this 15-minute procedure effectively restores clear vision.
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These days, rarely does anyone have to wear thick, heavy glasses after cataract surgery.
Most modern cataract procedures replace your eye's natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) that often can correct your distance vision to 20/20 without glasses or contact lenses.
In fact, premium multifocal IOLs and accommodating IOLs can even eliminate your need for reading glasses after cataract surgery. During your pre-op exam, ask us for more details about how to reduce your need for glasses after surgery.
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The cost of cataract surgery depends on the type of procedure and intraocular lens you and your cataract surgeon decide is best for your needs.
Most medical aid plans will cover cataract surgery and ordinary intraocular lenses, but not the cost of premium IOLs, such as presbyopia-correcting IOLs that simultaneously correct vision at near, intermediate and distant ranges.
Please speak with our team or book a consultation to find out more.
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The absolute best source of information about laser eye surgery is the surgeon.
All you have to do is make an appointment. Book your consultation here.