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Eyesight Again

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Why should I get cataract surgery?

More than 2 million people have cataract surgery each year, making it one of the most commonly performed surgeries in the United States. However patients commonly misunderstand cataract to be a “skin” on the eye that must be removed or peeled off. A cataract is not a growth, but instead is a lens inside the eye that has turned cloudy. Cataracts cause issues with vision by scattering light as it passes through the eye to the retina. This light dispersal causes cataract symptoms such as blurred images, glare, loss of contrast, or starburst. This is often why we refer to seeing stars as a common symptom of cataracts.

Horizon Eye Specialists Lasik Center has been offering cataract surgery to the Phoenix and Scottsdale area since 1983, It is not uncommon for our patients to have the benefit of dramatically improved vision within a few hours of their procedure. at one of our four conveniently located state-of-the-art facilities. When choosing a cataract surgery practice, you deserve experienced doctors, advanced technology and a center with a focus on personal patient care. It is our commitment to these higher standards that sets us apart. Your decision on where to go for vision correction should not be made lightly. At Horizon Eye Specialists Lasik Center, cataract removal is performed through a procedure called phacoemulsification. In this procedure, high-energy ultrasound waves are used to gently remove your cataract. Once the cataract is removed, a permanent, artificial lens is inserted.

After surgery with traditional monofocal lenses, most patients experience good vision either near or at a distance. In most cases, the monofocal lens provides good distance vision for driving, walking and some everyday activities. However, most people receiving monofocal lenses still require glasses to have a full range of vision. At Horizon Eye Specialists Lasik Center, we are proud to offer our patients custom cataract surgery with the premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) profiled in these options. These lenses are designed to reduce or eliminate your dependence on reading glasses, bifocals or trifocals.

How do I know if I am a candidate for cataract surgery?

The best way to know if you are a candidate for cataract surgery is to schedule an evaluation with a cataract surgeon. At the evaluation our experienced team will conduct a thorough exam and perform state of the art measurements to determine the best options for you. If cataract surgery is recommended, you will meet with a surgical counselor to discuss surgery dates, lens options and surgery instructions.
  • If you have an astigmatism, seeing distorted images, you can still undergo cataract surgery.
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  • If you have had LASIK surgery in the past, you have options for cataract surgery.
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What are the different types of cataract surgery?

Cataract Surgery Options:

laser cataract surgery

Intraocular (IOL)

During cataract surgery, the cloudy, damaged lens must be removed and replaced with an Intraocular Lens (IOL).Intraocular lens is a device that is implanted in your eye during cataract surgery. It replaces the eye’s natural lens after it has been removed during surgery. There are different types of IOLs and they each offer various advantages and disadvantages. The type of IOL that is best for you will depend on the health of your vision before the development of cataracts and your unique needs and lifestyle.
Standard
With the standard implants (the monofocal lens mentioned above), the cloudy cataract is removed and is replaced with a clear lens. The goal with this lens is clearer vision; however, because it only corrects at one distance, expect to wear glasses full time with this option.
PEACE OF MIND
The peace of mind option provides laser assisted cataract surgery. The cataract will be removed with a laser instead of manually, by hand. The laser technique is gentler on the eye and it can lower the risk of cataract surgery. This option can be combined with any of the other options-Standard, Precision, or Forever Young.
Precision

With the Precision option, the surgeon can correct your vision during cataract surgery to give you precise distance or near vision depending on what is important to you. This is done by correcting your prescription at one aim and correcting your astigmatism. You will still need to wear glasses some of the time with this option.

Forever young
The Forever Young option expands your range of clear vision giving you a continuous range of vision from distance to mid-range and near giving patients functional vision. With this option you may still need to wear glasses for some close work.
Light Adjustable Lens
We are the first in Arizona to offer a revolutionary new lens implant, the Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) by RxSight. The LAL is the first and only FDA-approved intraocular lens implant (IOL) that can be adjusted after cataract surgery, allowing surgeons to partner with their patients and achieve optimized results for every unique eye. With the LAL, beginning two to three weeks after surgery, the surgeon administers an office-based UV light treatment (which generally takes 90 seconds) that adjusts the prescription of the IOL while it is in the patient’s eye. This can be repeated two to three times until patients have achieved their vision goals. The surgeon then uses a final exposure treatment to preserve the lens power. 

Lens Types

Monofocal
A monofocal lens is an intraocular lens that is used during standard cataract surgery. It has a fixed focus and may be used to correct vision at one distance. These lenses can be used to correct distance, mid-range or near vision. Only one of these can be chosen and the focus will not change after surgery.
Multifocal
Multifocal is a type of intraocular lens (IOL) that is used to replace the natural crystalline lens of your eye during cataract surgery. This IOL is also able to correct presbyopia, a condition in which the ability to see objects in the near range of vision diminishes with age. Presbyopia is what causes many people to begin using reading glasses in their 50s and 60s. The Multifocal IOL corrects vision at multiple distances.
Toric
Patients who suffer from cataracts and astigmatism may require special lenses to correct their vision after cataract surgery. Cataract surgery and standard intraocular lenses (IOLs) alone cannot correct astigmatism. A Toric IOL can correct cataracts and correct for the astigmatism creating sharp vision at one range.

What to expect during cataract surgery?

STEP 1
The first step is to make a small hole in the front of the capsule that holds the natural lens or cataract.
STEP 2
The next step is to insert the small ultrasonic probe into the eye. The probe breaks up the lens into tiny pieces and removes them.
STEP 3
A permanent, artificial lens is then folded and inserted into the eye.
STEP 4
The new lens then unfolds and is positioned permanently into place.

What our clients are saying

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Brian's story about his life after LASIK.

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Hear about my LASIK Experience

Want to learn more about cataract surgery?

Here are some additional resources to continue your cataract research and see if it is a good option for you.
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Mar
20
How To Prepare For A Smooth Cataract Surgery Recovery
We’ve written before about the specific preparations to make leading up to your cataract surgery, and wanted to share some additional information.... Read More
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Nov
2
The Dangers of Leaving Cataracts Untreated
A cataract is when your eye's natural lens becomes cloudy, caused by the breakdown of proteins in your lens. For most people with cataracts, cataract... Read More
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Aug
10
Early Signs of Cataracts: What Should I Be Looking For?
Cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens, affect a lot of us. In fact, 24.4 million Americans over the age of 40 have at least one cataract and by age... Read More

Ready to have your best vision?

At Horizon Eye Specialists your consultation will likely be the most thorough eye exam you’ve ever experienced. We pride ourselves at performing a detailed, careful review of your eye and medical history, using the latest technology to determine your current visual status, performing repeated testing if necessary, evaluating your entire eye health, and reviewing your specific visual needs and lifestyle demands.

If you are a candidate, we know “one size fits all” does NOT apply to refractive surgery and will elect the procedure we feel will provide the best outcome based on all the data gathered specific to you.