More About Cataracts
If you are experiencing deteriorating vision, make an appointment to see a Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute ophthalmologist. A comprehensive eye exam will determine the cause of your vision impairment. If you have cataracts, your doctor will help you understand your condition and discuss treatment options.
During an eye exam, your ophthalmologist will evaluate the cataract’s appearance and presentation and which part of the lens is affected. You may hear such terms as nuclear sclerotic, posterior subcapsular, anterior subcapsular, cortical, crystal, vacuolar, spokes and wedges, and other descriptive terminology.
If it is determined that you should have surgery for removing cataracts, be aware there is an ideal time for surgery. The ideal time depends on a number of factors, including your age and medical health, the density of the cataract, the ease of pupil dilation, actual size of the eye, and others. Also, because cataracts are not all the same, the risk of complication can increase as you move further away from that ideal time.
What you can expect from surgery
Modern cataract surgery has eliminated the days of large incisions, frozen probes, multiple sutures, lengthy recovery, and thick eyeglasses. Today, cataract surgery is performed using sophisticated technology that involves microsurgical procedures, ultrasound, and intraocular lenses. Amazingly, this is accomplished through a very small incision with special wound construction that has virtually eliminated the need for sutures.
The doctors and staff at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute are dedicated to the well being of our patients. Great importance is placed on helping patients understand their condition, as well as procedures, expectations, and outcomes.
After the cataract surgery has been scheduled, several important steps will occur in preparation for the surgery. Measurements of the eye will be taken to enable our doctors to properly select the correct intraocular lens implant. Also, an appointment will be scheduled with the patient's family physician to review the patient’s general health and provide medical clearance and special instructions.
Our doctors perform the surgery at several Medicare-approved ambulatory surgical centers in the area, but usually at The Foundation for Advanced Eye Care, a state of the art facility with the most updated equipment and an extremely kind and caring staff.
Gentle anesthetics will be used to ease your anxiety and provide for a pain free experience. The doctors at the Fort Lauderdale Eye Institute utilize the latest surgical techniques including clear cornea, no stitch cataract surgery, and cataract refractive surgery to help reduce pre-existing astigmatism. Reducing pre-existing astigmatism, when indicated, increases the likelihood that eye glasses may no longer be necessary following the surgery.
Most of our patients find their surgical experience to be much easier than expected — even pleasant — and express great excitement regarding their improved vision.