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CATARACT SURGERY

Rochester Eye Associates Cataract Evaluation

Cataracts can’t be reversed by medication or lifestyle changes, but the timing of surgery is different for everybody. We will plan with you and discuss reasons to either go ahead with cataract surgery, or why it might be better to wait. Because your eyes and vision needs are unique, your cataract surgery should be tailored to suit you.

To achieve the best possible outcome our surgeons utilize the most advanced technologies to measure your eye. Before surgery, your eye will be measured to determine the proper power of the intraocular lens that will be placed in your eye. We can determine which IOL is right for you and explain the applicable risks such as the potential for increased glare or the need for glasses.

It’s important to note that while Medicare or private health insurance covers a portion of the costs of surgery and lenses for qualifying patients, some out-of-pocket expenses are associated with some surgery methods and various Intraocular Lenses.

A doctor examining a man's eyes

Details And Facts:

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

At Rochester Eye Associates you have the choice between surgery performed by hand or with the assistance of laser technology. Either type of procedure can be effective when performed by our skilled surgeons, but laser-assisted cataract surgery automates certain steps during the procedure for greater precision and predictability.

If you opt for laser cataract surgery, your surgeon may operate using the LenSx® Laser, which offers a level of accuracy exceeding that of manual surgery methods. The Laser first images your eye to plan a procedure that’s unique to you. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser then helps surgeons perform your surgery with exacting, individualized precision not attainable with traditional surgical methods.

Medicare and private insurance typically cover some of the costs of laser-assisted cataract surgery. However, there are also out-of-pocket expenses involved that are not associated with traditional manual cataract surgery.

Download the LenSx Brochure for more information.

Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) - For Clarity Tailored To Your Life And Activities

When a cataract is removed, it is replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). There are a variety of IOLs that can be used in cataract surgery, and they each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. During your cataract evaluation visit we will help you navigate the risks and benefits to reach your desired goals.

"Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?"

While no IOL can make you 100% free of glasses, some can greatly reduce the need for glasses.

These Are A Few Of The Advanced IOLs We Use:

Monofocal and Aspheric IOLs
Crystalens® (accommodating) IOL
Restor® (multifocal) IOL
Acrysof® Toric (astigmatism) IOL

Monofocal

Monofocal IOLs (fixed-focus) are used in the majority of cataract procedures. These lenses have the advantage of good quality distance vision under a variety of lighting conditions, especially when glasses are used to fine-tune. Reading glasses or bifocals are typically required for good near and intermediate vision. For patients willing to use glasses for many or most activities, these IOLs are an excellent choice. Several million lenses of this variety have been used for decades with an excellent safety record.

Accommodating

Accommodating IOLs are used to achieve good distance and intermediate vision with less dependence on glasses. These lenses operate by physically moving inside the eye in response to your own focusing muscles. This accommodation provides significant advantages in addressing intermediate vision. Crystalens® was the first presbyopia correcting IOL introduced into the United States market and is currently the only FDA-approved accommodating IOL.

Multifocal

Multifocal IOLs are used to achieve good distance and near vision with less dependence on glasses. These lenses operate by bringing light into focus at more than one point at the same time, or by physically moving inside the eye in response to your own focusing muscles. This allows the eye to see both near and far, usually without glasses. Multifocal IOLs have a slightly greater tendency to cause night vision complaints than other IOLs, such as rings and halos around lights. The ReSTOR® Multifocal diffractive IOL is designed to optimally distribute light to near and distance focal points, based on ambient lighting. In brightly lit conditions, light waves are sent simultaneously to near and distant focal points, providing a full range of quality vision. In low-light conditions, light is gradually distributed to distant focal points as the pupil enlarges. Here are some frequently asked questions about multifocal IOLs.

Toric

Toric IOLs correct astigmatism. Because patients with astigmatism are more likely to still require glasses after cataract surgery, the astigmatism is often treated during surgery in order to reduce the need for full-time glasses. Mostly, this is achieved with special incisions in the cornea called limbal relaxing incisions (LRI). But, astigmatism can also be corrected with a toric IOL. The AcrySof® Toric IOL can allow astigmatic cataract patients to meet their vision goals with less dependence on glasses or contacts for distance vision. Depending on the health of your eye and the amount of astigmatism, your ophthalmologist may recommend Femtosecond LASER, LRI or a Toric IOL to remove astigmatism.