Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed today. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, more than three million Americans undergo cataract surgery each year, with an overall success rate of 98 percent or higher. At the Center for Refractive Solutions, we perform tens of thousands of cataract surgeries each year. Our surgeons and medical support staff are among the most experienced in the field. We use the latest surgical and lens technology.     

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one, called an intraocular lens implant (IOL). An IOL is a permanent replacement made of plastic, acrylic, or silicone. We place the IOL where your natural lens was. It functions the way your natural eye lens does, focusing light on the retina at the back of the eye. IOLs require no care and become a permanent part of your eye. Most can also block harmful UV rays, which adds another level of protection for your eyes.

Years ago, many patients had to continue using glasses or contacts following cataract procedures. Today, we bring you as close as possible to 20/20 vision without glasses—or at least with limited need for them. We can customize the lens to fit your preferences and lifestyle. Some patients may still need to wear prescription glasses or contact lenses after the procedure. Discuss all your vision needs with your surgeon before the procedure to make sure the treatment plan will work for you.   

Types of Lenses

There are many types of IOLs. The ability to see can be broken into three main visual zones: near distance, intermediate, and far. Standard IOLs can correct for only one zone, which means you will need to continue to wear glasses or contacts. Premium IOLs can correct for two or all three zones, virtually eliminating the need for glasses. Certain IOLs can also permanently correct astigmatism. Some of the latest technologies allow us to even more closely match the lens to your vision. These result in even clearer vision. During your consultation, our cataract specialists will answer your questions about each lens option. They will discuss their advantages and disadvantages, and which lens will best fit your vision, budget, and lifestyle. The options are:

• Standard IOL: The monofocal lens is designed to correct vision at one zone only: near, intermediate, or far. You may still need eyeglasses or bifocals after surgery to see all three.
• Multifocal IOLs: These are similar to progressive glasses, with different focusing strengths built in. This allows your eye to focus on things near, far, and in the middle, with less need for eyeglasses or contact lenses.
• Extended Depth of Field IOLs: This type of multi-focal lens enables clear distance and intermediate vision. This means you might still need reading glasses for small print. Some people see streaks of light at night.
• Toric IOLs: Astigmatism-correcting lenses, called toric lenses, can permanently correct astigmatism. The procedure combines the femtosecond laser and/or a premium toric lens implant. The toric lens implant corrects the irregular curvature of the cornea. Premium multifocal toric lenses are also available, which correct for near and far distances and astigmatism.
• Light Adjustable Lens (LAL): You can get an even higher level of customization with LAL lenses. The LAL is made from a photosensitive material that changes the power of the implanted lens in response to ultraviolet light. We can fine-tune the lens power even after the initial surgery. This gives a level of accuracy that other lenses don't offer.
• Pinhole Intraocular Lens: This lens corrects near, intermediate, and far vision. We implant this lens in just one eye, to aid distance and near vision. In the other eye, we place a monofocal or monofocal toric lens to correct for astigmatism and improve your intermediate vision. The brain processes the different visual signals from each eye into a single picture. This approach is especially appropriate if you have a low amount of astigmatism.

Initial Consultation

To ensure the best possible outcome, it is important for you to meet with the surgeon for a pre-surgical eye exam. You can expect your visit to last at least two hours. We will take your medical history and do an in-depth exam. We will perform a variety of diagnostic tests, which may include:

• Anterior segment exam
• Dilated fundus exam
• Gonioscopy
• Intraocular pressure
• Lens implant calculations-IOL master
• Optical coherence tomography of the nerve or retina
• Refraction
• Topography to assess the shape of the cornea
• Ultrasound A scan and B scan
• Visual acuity

We will talk to you about the risks and benefits of different surgical and lens options. Then, we will develop a custom treatment plan, based on your eye health, visual needs, lifestyle, preferences, and budget. You can use this time to ask all your questions.

Once we have developed the plan, we will tell you how to prepare for your surgery. Our surgical coordinator will call you to finalize the day and time of your surgery, and give you a prescription for eye drop medication. Please fill the eye drop prescription before your surgery. It’s an important part of your post-surgery care, and you should have it on hand before your procedure.

During this visit, we will also ask you to sign a consent form. We also need you to complete a pre-operative medical evaluation form either with your primary care physician or at a surgical testing site five days before your scheduled surgery.