Cataract Surgery
Looking through a cataract is like looking at the world through a clouded window. We think everyone should see the world as clearly as they can, which is why our Austin, TX practice offers monofocal, multifocal, and toric lenses to help patients with cataracts see more clearly and accurately. At Broberg Eye Care, our specialists take the time to examine your cataracts and help you decide on the best plan to restore your vision. Contact us today to learn more.
A cataract is a cloudy film that develops over the lens of your eye and impairs your vision. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes. Some studies have linked cataracts to diabetes, alcohol abuse, and smoking, but most are simply the result of decades of wear and tear to the eye. For more in-depth information, and to learn about the symptoms and causes of cataracts, read our Cataract FAQs.
In early stages, cataract symptoms are mild and easily treated by glasses or contacts. But cataracts are progressive, and as a cataract grows, symptoms become more noticeable and difficult to treat with corrective eyewear. Eventually, the only way to effectively restore vision is to surgically replace the clouded lens with an artificial lens.
If the idea of cataract surgery is unsettling, it might be comforting to know that, according to the National Eye Institute, “Cataract removal is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. It is also one of the safest and most effective types of surgery. In about 90 percent of cases, people who have cataract surgery have better vision afterward.”
Collectively, the doctors at Broberg have surgically removed over 10,000 cataracts. We replace the clouded lenses with intraocular lenses (IOLs). These lenses allow patients to achieve clear vision again, often with a very limited need for glasses or contact lenses. The procedure is completed in about 30 minutes and does not require any sutures.
For more details on this procedure, read our Cataract FAQs.
If your cataracts are not causing problems in your day-to-day life, surgery may not be needed. At Broberg Eye Care, our specialists can help you decide whether cataract surgery is the right treatment option for your eyes.
After surgery, you may have some mild itching and sensitivity to light, and you may be given prescription eye drops and a pair of protective glasses to wear for a few days. Full recovery generally takes up to eight weeks. Complications from cataract surgery are rare, and the eye care specialists at Broberg Eye Care have excellent safety outcomes and vision results. They take great pride in providing a safe, professional, and personalized treatment experience for every patient.
Still wondering if cataract surgery is right for you? Schedule a consultation with us today! We specialize in treating cataracts and will provide you with the information you need to choose the best treatment option for you and your eyes.
There are several types of premium intraocular lenses, each with its own unique capabilities. The type of IOL that is used will have no effect on the surgical procedure and is chosen based on each patient’s unique needs.
Monofocal IOLs
Traditional IOLs are monofocal, meaning that they allow you to see at one distance: either far, intermediate, or near. They relieve you of the cloudy, blurry, discolored, or light sensitive vision caused by cataracts. However, you will most likely need glasses or contact lenses to experience a full range of vision.
Multifocal IOLs
Advances in IOL technology have produced modern multifocal IOLs. These are lenses that allow your eyes to focus on close, intermediate, or far away objects. Multifocal IOLs are especially beneficial for patients over the age of 40 because they can treat presbyopia, farsightedness, or difficulty focusing due to degraded ocular tissue. Some patients may still need visual aids like glasses or contact lenses with multifocal IOLs, but many do not. While multifocal lenses are typically more expensive, they are an investment in accurate vision for years to come.
Most patients with cataracts are good candidates for multifocal IOLs. However, there are other factors to consider when deciding which IOL is right for you.
You may not be a good candidate for multifocal IOLs if:
- You suffer from astigmatism. Patients with this condition will likely opt for toric IOLs instead since they can correct your eye shape.
- You have naturally excellent vision, except for obstructive cataracts. While it seems counterintuitive, patients who have good vision or only mild myopia (nearsightedness) often do not accustom to multifocal IOLs well. IOLs usually cannot provide the same level of clarity and precision as naturally good vision. If you are used to outstanding vision at all distances, any minor disruptions or distortions from the lens may bother you.
- You have been diagnosed with other ocular conditions, like diabetic retinopathy, which could impair your vision in other ways. This would undo the benefits of the multifocal lens.
Toric IOLs
Toric IOLs are artificial lenses crafted to counteract the irregular shape in your lens that creates astigmatism. While naturally astigmatic lenses are typically shaped like an oval, the artificial lens has a more spherical design to focus light accurately onto the retina, the part of your eye that sends impulses to the optic nerve. Once he removes your damaged lens and places the toric IOL within your eye, your ocular surgeon will rotate the lens so that it sits in the proper position. This procedure typically requires just local anesthesia in the form of numbing eye drops. The clear material of the toric IOL will repair your cataracts, refract light at an appropriate angle, and offer ultraviolet light protection to maintain your general eye health.
Patients who are undergoing cataract surgery may be good candidates for toric IOLs. Cataract symptoms include increasingly blurry, hazy, discolored, distorted, or light sensitive vision. Our ophthalmologists use a variety of tests to screen for cataracts.
In addition to being diagnosed with cataracts, you may be a good candidate for toric IOLs if you:
- Have astigmatism, meaning that your corneas or lenses are abnormally shaped, causing your vision to blur or become hazy at various distances. Many patients have mild astigmatism and do not realize it because it does not cause any symptoms. If astigmatism does not disrupt your vision, toric IOLs may not be the right choice for you.
- Have realistic expectations for the results of this procedure. While toric IOLs can improve your eyesight, you may still need to use visual aids like glasses or contact lenses.
- Do not suffer from other ocular conditions like retinal disease or corneal ectasia, as these could interfere with the effectiveness of the lens.
- Are in good overall health, meaning that you are not suffering from uncontrolled diabetes, an infection, or an immune deficiency at the time of your surgery. These conditions can prevent your eyes from recovering well from cataract removal and IOL placement.
Your ophthalmologist can determine if you are eligible for toric IOLs at your initial consultation. We also offer monofocal and multifocal IOLs to suit your needs and desired results.
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We are committed to help you achieve and maintain dependable vision. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.