Cataract Services

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is typically performed on an outpatient basis using local anesthesia. Cataract surgery replaces the cloudy natural lens of the eye with a clear artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL).

What Happens If Cataracts Are Left Untreated?

Cataracts affect more than half of all Americans age 60 and older causing a progressive, painless loss of vision. Cataracts could cause:

• Blurry or hazy vision
• Spots in front of the eyes
• Sensitivity to glare
• A filmy feeling over the eye
• A temporary improvement in near vision
• Double vision
• Poor night time vision
• Vision that has a yellow tinge

The Cataract Surgery Procedure

Our doctors perform a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification, also known as phaco, surgery. During this procedure, a tiny incision is made in the eye making room for a small ultrasonic probe. This probe breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces. The lens pieces are then suctioned out through the probe. Because of its small size, the incision will be able to heal on its own with only a topical eye drop. This technique involves no injections or stitching in the eye at all. See our patients testimonials about the cataract surgery at Lynn Eye Medical Group.

After the cloudy lens has been removed, the artificial IOL is implanted in the eye. The IOL is inserted through the same small incision that was made to remove the original lens. This process significantly reduces recovery time while reducing the risk of bleeding, scarring, irritation and distortion.

Dr. John Davidson introduces PanOptix – a new first in the US tri-focal lens for Cataract Surgery

LASER CATARACT SURGERY WITH LenSx®

What is the LenSx® laser?

The LenSx® laser is an advanced, precision based technology that operates with unmatched precisions and computer-control, helping surgeons to customize the procedure to your eye. It is a technologically advanced option for cataract patients. When you choose the LenSx® laser, you’ll enjoy a range of vital benefits. A custom tailored solution for your eyes. While all human eyes share the same basic anatomical structure, every eye is just a bit different in terms of size, depth, curvature of the cornea and other key features. Which is why every eye must be carefully measured and mapped prior to cataract surgery.

The LenSx® laser uses a range of highly advanced technologies – including integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) – to capture incredibly precise, high-resolution images of your eyes. These images – and the measurements and data they provide – are then used to plan and perform a surgery to exacting specifications not attainable with traditional surgery. The LenSx® laser performs several of the most critical steps of the surgical process with an image-guided femtosecond laser.

ORA® Cataract Surgery

The ORA System®, which stands for Optiwave Refractive Analysis, is an advanced device used during the replacement of the lens of the eye in cataract surgery. The ORA System was designed to assist the surgeon in achieving the most precise placement of an intraocular lens (IOL) as well as to determine which IOL is the ideal type to fully enhance the patient’s vision. By allowing the surgeon to obtain a thorough analysis and measurements of the eye during the surgical procedure, the ORA System offers the most customized, accurate treatment options available. The end result is that it enables patients to enjoy optimized vision after cataract surgery, often reducing the need for eyeglasses.

Patient Testimonials

“Staff were very helpful and friendly Dr. Hymas was awesome very thorough and professional. I would highly recommend him to anyone who is having cataract surgery.My surgery turned out perfect!” – Richard F.

“I just had my 2nd eye  operated on for cataract surgery. Dr. John Davidson was my surgeon. I am extremely happy as he used the Alcon PanOptix lenses for implantation. WOW. One day post op I am seeing better than 20/20 for distance and able to read the smallest print on the eyedrop bottle. Who Knew?  If anyone is contemplating cataract surgery, you would have to be crazy not to have this new technology lens as it is remarkable! NO GLASSES! No Kidding!” – John S.

Read more Patient Testimonials here

Premium Lens Implants

A wide range of replacement lenses are available to cataract patients, each offering different advantages for post-surgery vision. The most effective lens to use depends on the patient’s individual preferences and goals for their vision. The lenses eliminate the need for glasses or contacts after cataract surgery, providing most patients with convenient, effective results for their specific vision conditions.

Multifocal Intraocular Lenses

Multifocal IOLs allow for full vision correction at near, intermediate and far distances, completely eliminating the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses for most patients. Some IOLs can also correct astigmatism. The procedure to implant a multifocal IOL is performed at the conclusion of cataract surgery.

These choices were not always available for cataract patients. In the past, cataract surgery only involved monofocal lenses, which could only focus on objects near or far, but could not adjust to accommodate varying distances. These patients still had to rely on glasses or contact lenses after surgery in order to see clearly at all distances, especially for those older patients suffering from presbyopia.

Multifocal IOLs such as ReSTOR®, ReZoom® and Tecnis® preserve distance vision and correct presbyopia so cataract surgery patients — and patients seeking treatment for presbyopia alone — can enjoy clear sight without relying on glasses.

Toric Intraocular Lenses

Intraocular lenses are used during cataract surgery to replace the damaged lens of the eye with an implant that clears up and corrects vision, oftentimes leaving patients with little to no dependence on glasses.

Up until now, patients with astigmatism did not have the same opportunities that other cataract patients have had in correcting their condition with the types of IOL lenses that were available. Typically, the astigmatic patient would need an additional surgical procedure, such as refractive surgery or LASIK, to correct their vision after the procedure. If the patient did not want to undergo another surgical procedure, the only option for correction would be the use of either contact lenses or glasses to address their astigmatism.

Toric IOLs are able to accommodate for the condition of astigmatism. Toric IOLs are specially designed to correct astigmatism along with overall vision during cataract surgery, offering complete vision correction.