Cataract
Overview
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the natural clear lens inside your eye causing blurry vision, increased glare and a decrease in overall contrast, affecting daily activities and quality of life.
Most cataracts form due to the normal aging process of the eye. Other causes include diabetes, UV exposure, prolonged steroid exposure or trauma. Cataracts tend to affect both eyes, often asymmetrically.
Symptoms include:
A Comprehensive Dilated Eye Examination determines the type and progression grading of cataracts.
Dull or yellow
vision from cataracts
Distortion or ghost
images from cataracts.
Once you decide to have cataract surgery, Dr.Threlkeld will discuss different types of Intraocular lenses and options to fit your lifestyle and needs.
STANDARD / MONOFOCAL LENSES
These are single focal point lenses that help to correct vision at one distance only, usually the far distant focal point. Glasses are used after surgery to correct intermediate and reading vision.
With standard monofocal lenses patients can opt for Blended Vision which allows less dependence on glasses for most casual activities. For this option, testing is done to identify which of your eyes is dominant and which is non dominant. Usually the dominant eye is corrected for distance and the non dominant eye is corrected for intermediate / arms length distance. Such a blend allows for dual focal points, eg., seeing the road signs as well as the dashboard while driving. Glasses are typically used for close up reading.
PREMIUM LENSES
In addition to the standard monofocal lens implant, Dr Threlkeld offers a choice of premium intraocular lenses to provide the option for correction of astigmatism as well as the option for the ability to see multiple focal points ranging from far to close up.
TORIC lens Option
Toric lenses correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is usually a function of the cornea, or clear dome shaped front part of the eye. The normal cornea is shaped like a sphere cut in half. An astigmatic cornea is shaped more like a football cut in half, with some areas that are steeper than others. Astigmatism can be corrected with glasses. When astigmatism remains uncorrected, it causes distortion of images.
Toric lenses to correct astigmatism can be used for a standard aim of bilateral distance, or for the blended vision option.
MULTIFOCAL lens Option
Multifocal lenses have multiple focal points and hence allow for distance, intermediate and near vision without glasses. Very fine print may still require additional reading glasses.
Regardless of lens choice, it is important to note that even after surgery, glasses may be needed for certain tasks.
During cataract surgery the cloudy lens is replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL), which is held in place by the lens capsule. Weeks, months or years later, this capsule can become cloudy or wrinkled, causing blurred vision. This is called a posterior capsule opacification (PCO). It’s also sometimes called a "secondary cataract" , "scar tissue" or “membrane”. With posterior capsulotomy, a laser is used to make an opening in the cloudy capsule. This allows light to pass through again for clear vision.
Treatment
Laser Capsulotomy is performed to make an opening in the cloudy capsule:
Laser Capsulotomy