Cataract surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye which causes a gradual loss in vision in most patients. The crystalline lens is the natural lens in the human eye which helps the eye focus and see. Either as a result of aging or due to trauma, exposure to certain medications, or underlying medical or genetic diseases, this natural crystalline lens can become cloudy or opaque leading to decreased vision. If this is the case, cataract surgery is performed to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear intraocular lens thereby restoring clear vision.

If you suspect you may have cataracts, scheduling a comprehensive eye examination with Dr. Barnhorst is the best way to determine whether or not cataracts are present. Dr. Barnhorst uses the latest technology to remove your cataracts with minimal pain and typically very quick visual recovery.

Recently, several companies have introduced newer, multifocal lenses which allow patients to see both near and far after their cataract surgery. Traditionally, when cataract surgery is performed, the lens implant which is placed in the eye after removing the cataract is a single-focus lens which is most commonly made to focus the eye clearly at distance objects leaving patients needing reading glasses to see objects up close.

The newer, multifocal lenses have the ability to allow the eye to see most objects at a distance as well as most objects up close without complete dependence on spectacle lenses (glasses). There is typically an additional fee charged to the patient if they choose to have a multifocal lens as a part of their cataract procedure but many patients find the ability to see without glasses worth the extra expense. Dr. Barnhorst has had excellent success with the Acrysof ReSTOR® multifocal lens and is happy to discuss the various options for lens implant technology with patients.

For more information, go to www.acrysofrestor.com