Cataract Surgery
By placing a small incision in the eye, our skilled surgeons remove the cataract by a process called phacoemulsification, during which the surgeon dissolves the cataract. This method is commonly regarded as the laser technique, but actually it uses sound waves to disintegrate the cataract and then vacuum the microscopic particles from the eye. Lasers may be used after cataract surgery to eliminate any residual cloudiness.
At the same time, the cataract is removed, the lens of the eye is replaced with a clear lens implant, which is inserted through the same small incision. With the new lens in place, the eye can function properly and normal vision is restored.
Monofocal lenses are used in the majority of cataract procedures. These lenses have the advantage of excellent quality distance vision under a variety of lighting conditions. Since these lenses have a fixed focal point which is generally set for distance vision, reading glasses are typically required for good near vision. For patients willing to use reading glasses for near tasks, these lenses are an excellent choice. Several million lenses of this variety have been used for decades with an excellent safety record. Recent refinements in the optical quality of these lenses have allowed an even higher quality of vision than previously achievable.
The new multifocal and accommodating IOLs (premium lens options) offer the possibility of seeing well at more than one distance, without glasses or contacts. Montgomery Eye Physicians offer the following premium lens options:
- ReSTOR Multifocal
- TORIC IOL
- Tecnis Multifocal
The No-Stitch/No-Needle Technique
With the no-stitch cataract removal technique, the incision is very small and angled in a way which will enable it to close on its own. The outward pressure from the fluid within the eye acts as a seal, so there is no need for stitches. The vast majority of cataract surgery is done using anesthetic gel, avoiding the need for any type of injection which allows faster vision recovery and less risk.
Once the incision is made, the surgeon dissolves the cataract by phacoemulsification, inserts an artificial lens through the same incision and allows pressure to seal the incision naturally.
Quick Recovery
Small incision, no-stitch cataract surgery enables the eye to heal fast and reduces recovery time significantly.
In addition, post-operative activities are practically unlimited. With local anesthesia options, you can walk right out of the Surgery Center shortly after surgery and perform most of your daily functions with no restrictions. Many patients are able to return to work or sports within days instead of weeks or months, as was common with older surgery methods.
Within three years after cataract surgery, some patients may need another procedure, a YAG capsulotomy, to open the cloudy posterior capsule.
While not everyone is a candidate for no-stitch surgery, at Montgomery Eye Physicians, most patients receive this advanced surgical technique and are able to resume their daily activities quickly and confidently.
State-Of-The-Art Technology
We take great pride in the exceptional service our patients receive. Our highly skilled surgeons have many years of experience and use only the newest, most advanced technology at the Montgomery Eye Surgery Center. Our goal is to make sure you receive high quality, individualized attention in a friendly and caring environment.
If you have any questions please call us at 1-800-763-EYES.
Premium Lens Options
Are you seeking clear vision with our the hassles of reading glasses or bifocals? Until recently, this was not an option, but now with the introduction of the premium intraocular lenses, the possibility of being glasses-free after cataract surgery has arrived!
There are several premium lens options available at Montgomery Eye Physicians. We encourage you to schedule a consultation and discuss your visual desires and our experts will pair you with the right IOL for your individual needs. Below is information about our lenses.
Acrysof IQ ReSTOR
Our eyes are continuously focusing on an object at different distances. Whether it be watching television, sitting at a computer or driving, our eyes automatically focus on different things at different distances quite quickly. As we age, the ability for our eyes to change focus, or accommodate, weakens, which leads to the need for bifocals and reading glasses. By combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and refractive technologies, the Acrysof IQ ReStor IOL provides quality near, intermediate and distance vision and increased independence for reading glasses and bifocals.
The Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the natural lens, which has become clouded by cataracts. This new lens can provide enhanced vision quality and a full range of vision, giving patients and increased independence from reading glasses and bifocals.
Clinical Trial Data for the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL
- The US clinical trials included a three-month follow-up exam of near, intermediate and distance visual acuities.
- The percentage of patients who achieved 20/20 or better at all three distances with the AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +3.0 D was nearly fourfold the rate of patients who received the control lens, AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® +4.0 D.
- The clinical studies also showed a high rate of patient satisfaction with over 95 percent of patients stating that they would have this lens implanted again.
Tecnis Multifocal
The Tecnis Multifocal Intraocular lens is the first IOL created based on the wavefront data that makes LASIK procedures more accurate than ever before. The Tecnis Multifocal intraocular lens is designed to give good vision for distance, intermediate, and up-close. Tecnis describes this as giving “improved functional vision.” In clinical studies, Tecnis has also been shown to give you better vision for driving in low-light situations compared to monofocal lenses.
Imagine not needing reading glasses and being able to see clearly at night! This is now a possibility with the Tecnis Multifocal IOL!
The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is implanted during cataract surgery and is the only IOL proven to provide clear vision at all distances and all light levels. Ask your Montgomery Eye Physicians cataract surgeon for more information about your premium lens options at your next appointment..
Acrysof IQ Toric
If you have been told that you have developing cataracts and you also have astigmatism new premium lens implant options are available to reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses after surgery. If you are unsure if have astigmatism please check with your eye doctor.
The surgeons at Montgomery Eye Physicians at pleased to offer Toric IOLs for astigmatism correction after cataract surgery. The recent advancements in Intraocular Lens (IOL) technology have now made it possible to provide an effective solution for patients that have astigmatism. Until recently, patients that were IOL candidates and had astigmatism had no option built into the lens, which would correct the astigmatism aspect of their visual condition. Surgeons would typically perform refractive surgery or LASIK after the insertion of an IOL to correct the complete visual picture. If patients did not have astigmatism correction after IOL implantation then contacts or glasses would be required to deal with astigmatism. With advancements in the optics of IOLs, the manufacturers have now been able to accommodate for astigmatism.
The Acrysof IQToric® IOL technology uses biocompatible materials that have been successfully used in contact lenses and proven safe for the eye. There is an additional cost for this lens implant.
Many patients suffer from this common eye condition known as astigmatism. Often this astigmatism can lead to blurred or impaired vision if it becomes moderate or severe. The cause of the blurred and impaired vision is the result of the eye’s cornea or lens having an irregular shape. A normal eye’s cornea and lens have a circular shape whereas an eye with astigmatism has a longer more oval shape.
The AcrySof Toric® corrects for both conditions, cataracts, and astigmatism. The Acrysof Toric® IOL is a foldable, single piece lens that is implanted during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. The unique design of the AcrySof Toric® IOL makes it possible to reduce or eliminate corneal astigmatism and significantly improve uncorrected distance vision. AcrySof Toric lens provides excellent distance vision, independent of eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Clinical Study Data for the Acrysof IQ Toric® IOL:
- 94% of patients achieved an uncorrected distance of 20/40 or better.
- Improved contrast sensitivity in low-light situations.
- Significant reduction in both spherical and total high order aberrations.
- Improved functional vision in challenging environments such as night driving, glare, and fog.
