The Center for Refractive Solutions at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai (NYEE) offers surgery to treat refractive vision problems and cataracts. Our experts will work with you to develop a treatment plan that will meet your individual needs.

Cataracts Treatment

As you get older, there is a good chance you will develop cataracts, which lead to cloudy vision. People often say it is like looking through a fogged-up window. At the Center for Refractive Solutions, we can help you understand your treatment options.

How It Works
A cataract is a clouding of the clear lens in the eye. The lens focuses light on the retina at the back of the eye, changing it to nerve signals that are relayed to the brain. For the retina (and the brain) to receive a sharp image, the lens must be clear. If the lens is cloudy from a cataract, the image reaching the retina will, in turn, be blurry. That means the world will appear fuzzy to you. Cataracts usually develop slowly and may not affect your vision at first. Over time, however, cataracts—which can occur in one or both eyes—can grow. The bigger they get, the more they affect everyday tasks like reading, working, and driving. Removing the cataract is generally a safe and effective solution.

Causes of Cataracts
According to the National Institutes of Health, about half of Americans will develop cataracts at some point. Most cataracts are caused by aging. As we get older, a cloudy lens can reduce the light that reaches the retina, resulting in blurry vision. Other common causes of cataracts include:

• Chronic medical problems, such as diabetes
• Eye injury
• Hereditary disorders
• Other eye conditions
• Previous eye surgery

Symptoms
For most people, cataracts develop slowly over time. Symptoms can include:

• Decreased color perception
• Double or multiple vision
• Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
• Gradual blurring or dimming of vision
• Halo or haze around lights, especially at night

If a cataract is small, it may not disturb your vision. You might not even notice a larger cataract in one eye if your other eye provides clear vision. Early symptoms may cause you to have trouble seeing in dim light or when you face bright oncoming car headlights. This may make it hard to drive. Cataracts usually progress slowly over months or years. Eventually they may interfere with your daily life.

Deciding When to Treat Cataracts
When cataracts start to interfere with your vision enough that it affects your life, they should be removed. This timing will vary from person to person. Some people are bothered by a slight change while others aren’t affected until the cataract has grown. You don’t have to wait until you can’t see at all before having it removed. In fact, this can make surgery more complex. It is important to get regular eye exams and monitor your condition. Your ophthalmologist will let you know if you should think about cataract surgery.

At the Center for Refractive Solutions, we use a variety of advanced technologies to remove cataracts. These include miLOOP®, femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery, and optiwave refractive analysis (ORA™). We also offer a wide variety of intraocular lens implant options. We work with you to determine the approach that will be most effective for you. Not only will the procedure help you regain eyesight lost to cataracts, but often we can improve your vision so you no longer need eyeglasses or contacts.

Surgery to Improve Refractive Errors

If you have trouble seeing things close up (farsighted or hyperopia), far away (nearsightedness or myopia), or if you have blurry vision (astigmatism), you may be looking for a surgical solution. At NYEE’s Laser Vision Correction Center, which is part of the Center for Refractive Solutions, we offer several types of procedures, called refractive surgeries. These will limit, and in most cases, eliminate your need for eyeglasses or contacts.

The most common laser refractive procedures are standard laser-assisted in situ kertomielusis (LASIK) and Wavefront LASIK (custom LASIK), and standard photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and custom PRK. Each procedure provides different advantages, depending on your eye health. We also offer further customization of both procedures based on your vision goals and budget. These options produce even greater precision and visual improvement. 

One of the newer procedures is EVO ICL, an implantable Collamer® lens (ICL).This is a non-laser refractive solution. It is an effective option for patients who are not candidates for LASIK or PRK.

Vision correction surgery is often associated with younger patients. But if you are 45 or older, you can also benefit from refractive eye surgery. If you want visual freedom from glasses or contact lenses, Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) is a powerful way to correct your vision. We offer a wide variety of lenses that give you the best possible vision.

Each option offers different advantages, based on your eye health. During your consultation and eye exam, we will discuss your vision concerns, your lifestyle, and your goals. We will help you find the procedure that will give you the best vision, help you reduce your need for eyeglasses and contact lenses, and fit your lifestyle.