Posted by: Associates in Ophthalmology (NJ) in Cataracts
If you or someone you know has cataracts, then you might know how difficult they can make your lifestyle. Cataract surgery has helped countless people since its creation. There are millions of people all over the world who can see again thanks to cataract surgery! Here’s why cataract surgery is so life changing!
Cataracts Are Effectively Dealt With
Cataracts are an inevitable part of life. They are natural and everybody eventually gets them if they live long enough. That shouldn’t scare you because your cataract surgeon completely removes your cataracts.
In fact, the entire lens inside of your eye is actually removed and replaced. This procedure is “refractive lens exchange”.
RLE, as it’s sometimes called, takes between 30 minutes to an hour to complete. This includes prep time and time while you are recovering from the anesthesia. The operation itself takes only about 10 of those minutes.
Cataract surgery also has the added benefit of being a permanent solution. Cataracts do not, contrary to popular belief, “grow back”. Occasionally, a secondary cataract will form in the patient’s eye.
This is merely a complication from cataract surgery. Secondary cataracts are unrelated to your initial cataracts. They are easy to deal with through a follow-up surgery.
IOLs Can Improve Vision
The replacement lenses used in RLE are intraocular lenses or IOLs for short. They are made of durable acrylic or silicone. They not only replace lenses but can actually correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism!
Beyond that, you can customize your IOL experience. Depending on the outcome you want, you can choose from various kinds of IOLs.
If you don’t mind using glasses and would like to save a little money on the surgery, monofocal IOLs may be best. They correct either near or far vision, so you will need to make up for distance using glasses. Monofocal IOLs are the only kind that Medicare covers, as well as most insurances plans.
If you would like to reduce your dependence on glasses or not wear them at all, multifocal IOLs can help you. They correct for both distance and close up vision. Multifocal IOLs are premium lenses, meaning they cost more than monofocal IOLs
Multifocal IOLs do have some discrepancies when switching between near and far distance. Accommodating IOLs are best if you want to move between distances without issues. They mimic a natural lenses movement so vision is as close to normal as possible.
Cataract Surgery Is Reliable
Because cataracts are prevalent, cataract surgery is one of the most performed procedures. This has forced us to come up with a treatment that is both dependable and safe. Years of experience and research has created one of the most successful surgeries.
There’s no reason why anyone with cataracts should live with vision loss. With cataract surgery, removal is effortless and truly life-changing all around!
Associates in Ophthalmology hosts a team of dedicated professionals in Livingston, New Jersey. We are here to help you learn about and treat your cataracts. Sign up for your cataract screening right now!
