Cataract microsurgery is one of the most common surgical procedures done in the U.S., with a very high success rate. Cataract are very common–it’s estimated that half of the population 60 or older has a cataract of some form, so the field is continually studied, and the physicians at DiStefano Eye Center routinely evaluate new equipment, techniques, and procedures to give their patients in East Tennessee, North Georgia, and Northeast Alabama the best possible care.
Often, new technologies work to compliment each other. For cataract surgery, this can happen with laser-assisted techniques and the spectrum of premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) now available.
An IOL is the artificial lens that replaces the natural lens clouded by a cataract. In cataract surgery, the surgeon makes an incision, breaks up the old lens with a process called phacoemulsification, and inserts the replacement IOL.
When first developed, an IOL could only offer one focal point, so the physician would help the patient compensate with corrective lenses. Today’s premium IOLs, however, can flex much like the eye’s natural lens, and focus at near and far distances. That reduces the need for corrective lenses.
And laser technology can sometimes take things a step further. Optical lasers are used for LASIK vision correction, where they make small, very precise changes to the shape of the cornea to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. At DiStefano Eye Center in Chattanooga, this technology can enhance the effectiveness of cataract surgery. For some patients, the laser can be used to make corrections for astigmatism when the new IOL is put into place. This may mean that a vision problem the patient had before cataract surgery can be corrected during the same procedure.
Our physicians specialize in laser-assisted cataract microsurgery. To learn more about the procedure and how it can benefit you, schedule an appointment. Our staff will walk you through all aspects of surgery, potential outcomes, and what you should expect. You’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision for your eye health.
