DO YOU HAVE A CATARACT? - TAKE THE SURVEY

Are you suffering from a cataract?

A cataract is when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy or opaque and results in a reduction or loss of vision. It is mainly found in elderly people, although a person can develop a cataract at any age. Currently, surgery is the only option for visually significant cataracts. Cataract surgery can be performed at the renowned Horizon Eye Specialists and LASIK Center. We have offices located in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Glendale, Goodyear and more.

Cataracts are often characterized by a set of symptoms, but it is always advisable to confirm their suspected presence with a qualified doctor before opting for treatment. The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Reduced or blurred vision
• Objects having a foggy appearance
• Incorrect color perception
• Presence of glare whenever any bright light falls upon the eye, during the day or at night. This may be accompanied by the presence of haloes around light sources, especially with night driving.

The above symptoms can also be symptoms of other visual disorders, and thus are not sufficient enough to confirm the presence of a cataract. The following questions will help to determine whether you are suffering from a cataract:

• Do you find it difficult to drive at night?
• Are your eyes becoming increasingly sensitive to bright light?
• Do you ever see a ghost image or blurred vision?
• Do the colors of objects appear duller?
• Is the prescription of your eyeglasses changing more frequently than in the past?

If you have answered YES to any of the above questions, then it is possible that you are suffering from a cataract. It is advisable that you visit Horizon Eye Specialists as soon as possible.

Treatment Options

By far, the most common method of cataract surgery is Phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification is a bloodless and painless out-patient surgical technique involving the liquefaction of the cloudy lens with ultrasonic vibrations so it can be easily removed from the eye. Once the cloudy natural lens material is removed, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to restore normal visual function. It should be noted, cataract surgery is not performed by lasers. There are many eye surgeries that employ lasers, i.e. LASIK and certain glaucoma or retinal surgeries, etc., but cataract surgery is not one of them.

Cataract surgeries are quite effective and, if carried out properly, can be a permanent solution. Surgery should be performed by a specialized eye surgeon who has extensive experience in the field of cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is always performed one eye at a time, usually a week or two apart, and the phacoemulsification technique usually takes around 5 to 10 minutes, in the hands of a skilled surgeon. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective surgeries performed in the United States today. In the majority of cases (around 95%), people who have undergone cataract surgery have reported improved vision.

Benefits of cataract surgery are:

• General anesthesia is not required - i.e. patients are awake during the procedure. A combination of much safer topical drops, oral pills and/or local injectables are used to numb the eye and relax the patient during surgery.
• The surgery is out-patient, meaning the patient goes home that same day.
• Surgery does not involve any stitches, which can be uncomfortable. The incision is self-sealing and created with the help of microsurgical tools.
• The surgery does not involve any severe or persistent side effects.
• It does not cause pain or loss of blood.
• If carried out accurately and with additional eye correction techniques, cataract surgery may reduce the need for glasses after the process had been carried out.

Cataract surgery can be performed efficiently and precisely at Horizon Eye Specialists. At Horizon Eye Specialists, our surgeons use on the most advanced techniques during cataract surgery. Horizon takes excellent care of its patient from the day of their first appointment until the final post-surgical exam. Above all, the highly experienced specialists at Horizon Eye Specialists have built an environment that enhances the wellbeing of their patients.