The Center for Excellence is proud to announce the new LENSAR ALLY LASER for cataract surgery! This new, state-of-the-art laser technology is now available to our cataract patients! It has replaced some steps manually performed by the surgeon during the cataract procedure. You can read more about it if you click on our LASER Cataract Surgery Page.

Most cataract patients do not even realize that they may have a cataract developing. Cataracts can start in one eye only, so your vision in the other could be relatively clear for some period of time. Is your vision cloudy or blurry? Do colors appear dull or washed out? Does the glare bother you when you go out in the sun? Are oncoming headlights becoming a problem at night? If you answered YES to any of these questions you may be developing cataracts.

Most cataract patients do not even realize that they may have a cataract developing. Cataracts can start in one eye only, so your vision in the other could be relatively clear for some period of time. Is your vision cloudy or blurry? Do colors appear dull or washed out? Does the glare bother you when you go out in the sun? Are oncoming headlights becoming a problem at night? If you answered YES to any of these questions you may be developing cataracts.

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Around age 60 the human lens typically begins to get cloudy and has a bit of a yellowish hue to it. When the natural lens loses its clarity, vision quality is diminished. Many people describe this sensation as looking through a foggy car window or a piece of wax paper. Cataracts can be burdensome, especially to people who have had clear vision most of their life. Cataract surgery is indicated when your vision symptoms begin to interfere with your daily activities.

The lens in your eye is responsible for focusing light rays on the retina, which is the part of the eye that senses light and transmits these images to the brain. When the natural lens becomes cloudy, the image quality is reduced. Vision becomes blurry at this point, and as the cataract develops it becomes increasingly difficult to see. Developing cataracts is part of the normal aging process. It is a fact of life that if you live long enough, you will develop cataracts.

What Causes a Cataract?

Cataracts are caused mainly by age, trauma, genetic factors, and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Cataracts can also occur as a result of chronic eye disease, after the use of certain medications, or as a result of medical conditions such as diabetes.

• Getting Older – Age is a major cause of cataracts.
• Birth defects (congenital cataracts)
• Environmental factors such as disease, toxic chemicals, medications (especially steroids)
• Accidents or Injuries
• Exposure to ultraviolet light or radiation
• Cigarette Smoking

The Center of Excellence in Eye care would like the opportunity to be your source for cataract surgery in South Florida. If you are seeking a cataract surgeon, please call us today for an expert opinion.

Laser Cataract Surgery

In your parent’s or grandparent’s day, cataract surgery was usually delayed for as long as possible because it was considered risky, and required several days in the hospital. Today, cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure which takes only a few minutes. The risks are much lower and the recovery is much faster for most patients. Today, patients have their surgeries done earlier; there is no need to wait until the cataracts are “ripe.”

Since there is no need to wait until your vision is extremely poor, we advise our patients to consider cataract surgery when the cataract begins to affect their activities, which could mean reading, driving, sports, work duties, or otherwise. The cataract will typically not damage your eye while it is growing,
so there is also no need to rush into the surgery. You can decide when the time is right for you!

Your doctor will perform the procedure within our local surgery center. You will arrive about an hour and a half before your actual surgery. You will be given a mild sedative to help you relax. The area around your eye will be cleansed and a sterile drape will be applied around your eye. The surgery only takes a few minutes but plan to spend 2 to 3 hours at the center for the pre-operation process and brief recovery.

Visual recovery varies from patient to patient, but most patients return to their normal activities within a day or two. If you have cataracts in both eyes, the second procedure will usually be scheduled within a week or two. Serious complications are extremely rare, but it is surgery nonetheless and there are some risks involved. One of our counselors will provide you with additional information about the risks associated with cataract surgery. Choosing an experienced surgeon for your procedure can significantly minimize the risks involved with your cataract procedure.

If you or one of your loved ones have been diagnosed with a cataract, please call our office at 305-598-2020 to ask about Laser Cataract Surgery today!