Cataract Surgery Center
Cataracts
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens, located behind the colored iris, works just like the lens of a camera – focusing light on the retina, which sends images to the brain. The human lens can become so clouded with a cataract, however, that it keeps light and images from reaching the retina. A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred, bright colors become dull, or seeing at night becomes more difficult. It may also be why the reading glasses or bifocals that used to help you read and do other simple tasks no longer seem to help.
Learn more about our cataract surgery at Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics in Albany, NY, today at
518-487-4200.
Vision with cataracts has been described as seeing life through old, cloudy film. But a cataract is not a “film” over the eyes, and neither diet nor lasers will make it go away, nor can it be prevented. Eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications can accelerate the clouding, but the majority of cataracts are simply a result of the natural aging process. The most common way to treat a cataract is with surgery that removes the old, clouded lens and replaces it with a new, artificial one to restore your vision and help you get back to the activities you enjoy.
How Do I Know If I Have Cataracts?
If you answer “Yes” to any of these questions, you may be showing early signs of cataracts, or have a cataract already.
- Is your vision yellowing?
- Do you see a lot of glares?
- Are colors less vibrant than you once remember?
- Are you having difficulty driving, reading, or recognizing faces?
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
Cataracts are a fairly common condition that can seriously impact the quality of one’s vision, especially later in life. Your eyes see by taking in light through organic lenses...but when those lenses get clouded over or obscured, your vision will suffer. This condition is known as cataracts, and often sets in progressively, coming on over time as your vision gets worse and worse. The condition isn’t painful, but it can cause a serious impact on one’s quality of life, if left untreated.
At Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics, we offer monofocal intraocular lenses (also known as IOLs), which work to restore your eyesight. You’ll need to pick a focal length, as these lenses only allow for clear vision at near or far distances, but not both. With monofocal IOLs, many patients have clear vision at a distance, but require glasses for activities like reading. Reach out and set up a consultation to learn more about IOLs today!
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE CATARACTS?
Cataracts often develop gradually and painlessly, so one of the first signs will be your vision beginning to cloud over, making it appear as though you’re seeing the world through a dirty or cloudy window.
Some of the main symptoms include:
• Double vision
• Poor vision in bright light
• Yellow-tinted vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Blurred vision
• Hazy vision
MONOFOCAL LENSES
Standard IOL: Restore your Vision after Cataracts
This common IOL type has been used for several decades. Most people who choose monofocal IOLs have their IOLs set for distance vision and use reading glasses for near activities. Alternatively, you may choose to have the IOL correct for near vision, and then use glasses to see distant objects clearly.
Some who choose monofocal IOLs decide to have the IOL for one eye set for distance vision, and the other set for near vision, a strategy called “monovision.” The brain adapts and synthesizes the information from both eyes to provide vision at intermediate distances. Often this reduces the need for reading glasses.
Individuals considering monovision may be able to try this technique with contact lenses first to see how well they can adapt to monovision. Those who require crisp, detailed vision may decide monovision is not for them.
TORIC LENSES
Astigmatism is a fairly common vision issue, with those who deal with it experiencing blurred or clouded vision. This is most often caused by a misshapen cornea, but the good news is that the treatment for this frustrating condition is relatively straightforward. At our office, we offer a number of treatment options that can help correct vision issues like astigmatism with the use of toric intraocular lenses (also known as IOLs), which replace your eye’s clouded lenses and restore your vision, so you can see clearly and once again enjoy a full quality of life.
Reach out and set-up an in-person consultation to learn more about toric intraocular lenses, and whether they’re the right solution for you.
What Is the Main Cause of Astigmatism?
Astigmatism is caused by a cornea or lens that has a different shape than normal. Astigmatism is very common. Doctors don't know why the shape of the cornea or lens varies from person to person. But they do know the risk of getting astigmatism is inherited (passed down from parents).
People can also get astigmatism from:
· eye disease
· eye injury
· or after surgery
It is a myth that reading in low light or sitting very close to the television causes astigmatism or makes it worse.
How Does Astigmatism Affect Vision
Normally, the cornea and lens at the front of the eye have an evenly round shape. This helps focus light rays sharply onto the retina so you can see clearly. With astigmatism, light rays do not refract (or bend) properly as they enter the front of the eye. Vision is blurry at near and far because light rays either fall short of the retina or behind it.
Astigmatism Correction With Toric IOL’s
Toric intraocular lenses (IOLs) are specially-designed to provide cataract treatment and astigmatism correction in a single procedure, without requiring the need for eyeglasses or contacts in the future. Featuring exceptional rotational stability and the greatest correction range available, more patients than ever can attain crisp, clear distance vision with reduced dependence on glasses with the Toric IOLs.
Toric IOLs offer the greatest range available to correct astigmatism. This means most patients diagnosed with astigmatism can attain crisp, clear distance vision with reduced dependence on eyeglasses.
If you think you might be dealing with astigmatism, reach out and set up an appointment at Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics. We offer a number of eye care services, including comprehensive eye exams that can help you not only determine what eyesight issues you might be dealing with, but can help us build a treatment plan to effectively restore your vision as well. Reach out and learn what our toric intraocular lenses can do for you today.
MULTIFOCAL LENSES
A Single Lens That Will Allow You to See Near and Far
Multifocal IOLs are a premium form of correction, taking advantage of new technology to correct the full range of vision, from up close to far away. Patients who choose multifocal IOLs report greater satisfaction, as a high percentage of them do not need to use glasses anymore.
IS THE VIVITY LENS A GOOD FIT FOR YOU?
Do you need to have your cataracts removed? Before you can have your cataracts removed, one choice you have to make is what kind of IOL you’ll choose. Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics is proud to offer our patients a revolutionary new premium lens called the Vivity IOL.
What is the Vivity Lens?
The Vivity lens is a new premium IOL that provides patients with a continuous, broader sight range. It’s the latest in intraocular lens technology, continuously evolving and changing. The Vivity IOL is safe, effective, and has a higher patient satisfaction rate than other intraocular lenses. The Vivity lens is from a well-known and highly-regarded manufacturer of intraocular lenses, Alcon. It became FDA approved in the United States in spring 2020. The Vivity lens is different than a standard, monofocal intraocular lens. A monofocal lens allows someone to see far away without glasses, but the Vivity lens improves a person’s whole range of vision. That means a person can see intermediate distances and close objects clearly without the need for reading glasses or bifocals. The Vivity premium intraocular lens increases independence from glasses or contact lenses. For this reason, it’s considered a premium intraocular lens.
What Sets the Vivity Lens Apart from Other IOLs?
Because of the Vivity IOL’s proprietary, non-diffractive X-Wave technology, the intraocular lens uses all available light to create a continuous, extended range of vision. The lens uses cutting-edge technology that allows the lens to stretch and shift incoming light, so the person using the lens has excellent and uninterrupted vision. Their vision will remain the same no matter what depth or distance they look at something. The lens extends a person’s focal range while the lens’s second transition surface allows a person’s eyes to make use of all available light. Traditional intraocular lenses use diffractive technology. Diffractive technology uses the surface of the lens to focus on images far away, and another set of the surface focuses on close objects. Images between far away and close can remain blurry, and some patients report seeing glare or halos around distant lights. But because the Vivity lens does not use diffractive technology, its users have a better visual experience.
If you spend a lot of time driving at night, you may want to consider this revolutionary new IOL. The use of non-diffractive technology is often considered the gold standard for night vision.
Vision with the Vivity IOL is Clearer
The Vivity lens is made from the same material as Alcon’s well-known and highly regarded AcrySof intraocular lens. The AcrySof intraocular lens is so popular that it’s estimated it’s been put into the eyes of over 125 million patients worldwide. Vivity patients report having excellent distance and in-between vision and also see better up close, whether in bright or dim light. The premium lens also protects eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays. If you spend a lot of time in front of digital devices, the Vivity IOL also protects your eyes from blue light emitted from them. Patients who get the Vivity lens experience fewer side effects after cataract surgery, like glare, halos, or starbursts. They even report results closer to those seen with monofocal lenses. These benefits mean patients can see better and drive more safely at night. The Vivity IOL has a 93 percent patient satisfaction rate in treating cataract surgery and astigmatism correction. In part, this is because few patients experience the side effects associated with other intraocular lenses. Very few intraocular lenses can boast this kind of satisfaction rate. That means patients enjoy vastly improved vision after receiving the state-of-the-art Vivity lens.
How Do I Know if the Vivity Lens is Right for Me?
The Vivity lens is an excellent premium lens, but it’s not the best option for every patient. For the best results, it’s for people who want to improve their close range and intermediate vision. With the Vivity lens, a person is usually comfortable reading a text message or restaurant menu. For some up-close tasks, they may need reading glasses, including reading fine print, such as a prescription label.
With the toric model of the Vivity IOL, they can correct astigmatism and cataracts at the same time. Our qualified ophthalmologists will work with you to find the best option for successfully treating your cataracts. We have successfully treated cataract patients with an extensive choice of intraocular lenses, including the Vivity lens.
Why Should Someone Consider the Vivity Lens?
The Vivity intraocular lens performs better and leaves patients with more robust, clearer vision than traditional intraocular lenses. They can better enjoy their lifestyle, whether it is seeing far away on long drives or vacations, or simply enjoying a book at home.
In clinical studies, patients with the Vivity IOL report feeling greater freedom. Nearly 100 percent of patients reported good vision as close as an arm’s length away, along with very good vision at a distance. It is normal for a patient who has an intraocular lens to go through an adjustment period as their brain and eyes react and adjust to their new enhanced range of vision. Learn more about the Vivity IOL by scheduling a cataract screening at our office now!
REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE
LASIK laser vision correction is not suitable for everyone. Due to age, previous eye surgeries and other eye conditions, other vision correction options maybe be a better fit. Advancements in IOL (intraocular lens) technology, clear vision without the need for glasses and contact lenses is an option for more people than ever! We encourage you to read about these options and schedule an appointment at our office to learn more.
Refractive Lens Exchange
Traditionally, presbyopia, which happens to all of us as we age, has always meant glasses are necessary for clear reading vision. Presbyopia cannot be corrected with vision correction surgeries such as LASIK. Luckily, there is an option – refractive lens exchange. Refractive lens exchange is allowing patients an alternative to reading glasses by using an advanced multifocal intraocular lens. Here at Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics, we use Alcon’s Multifocal IOL’s, Bausch + Lomb’s Crystalens™, or we use monofocal lenses with one eye corrected for near and the other eye corrected for distance. All of these lenses replace the eye’s natural lens during refractive lens exchange.
While LASIK concentrates on correcting the cornea, refractive lens exchange replaces the natural lens of your eye with an advanced multifocal or accommodating intraocular lens (IOL), allowing clear vision up close, far away and in between. Additionally, patients undergoing the refractive lens exchange procedure will never have to worry about cataracts as they age, since the advanced intraocular lens will remain clear.
Refractive lens exchange is best suited for older patients who are hyperopic (farsighted) or myopic (nearsighted) and want to lessen their dependence on reading glasses. To find out if a refractive lens exchange is right for you call us today.
The Refractive Lens Exchange Procedure
During the refractive lens exchange procedure at Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics, a small incision is made at the
edge of the cornea. A special probe is inserted through the incision to gently break up and suction out the natural lens. An intraocular lens implant is then inserted into place. The entire refractive lens exchange procedure is completed in about 20 to 25 minutes, and visual recovery is rapid.
What are the Benefits of Refractive Lens Exchange?
There are several advantages to the refractive lens exchange procedure, including:
· Quick visual recovery
· Permanent results without the use of a laser
· Eliminates the need for cataract surgery in the future
· Eliminates the dependence on glasses and contact lenses
If you would like to learn more about the exciting opportunities refractive lens exchange has to offer, contact our office today
Why Should You Choose Elhosn Eye & Aesthetics?
NO WAIT TIME FOR APPOINTMENTS.
EMERGENCIES ARE SEEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SAME DAY, TYPICALLY WITHIN HOURS.
NEW PATIENTS OR CALLS FOR EXAMS ARE SEEN WITHIN 1 - 3 DAYS MAX.
WE SEE AND TREAT ALL EYE CONDITIONS.
WE WORK WITH PATIENTS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBLE HOURS, DAYS, AND TIMES. SOMETIMES NIGHT/WEEKEND APPOINTMENTS CAN BE ARRANGED.
WE ACCEPT INSURANCE ON SOME PROCEDURES.
24-Hour coverage is available with an extended ER on-call group. Dr. Elhosn and Dr. Villas are always available to their patients during their times of emergency.
We're a nice, caring doctor’s office with wonderful staff, and we look forward to welcoming you in to experience our world class care! We'll see you soon!
Please book your appointment today at 518-487-4200. We'll see you soon!