Cataract Surgery

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens that focuses the light entering the eye. Cataracts result from an accumulation of proteins in your eye’s lens, causing it to cloud and obscure your vision. This buildup of cells is often the result of normal aging, and one in five Americans over 40 years old experiences cataracts. Cataracts develop slowly with a gradual decline in vision and cannot be corrected with glasses as the severity increases. This may lead to eventual blindness if left untreated. Modern cataract surgery, which is the removal of the cloudy lens and implantation of a clear intraocular lens (IOL), is the only definitive treatment for cataracts. This procedure is the most effective and most commonly performed eye procedure in all medicine. Three million Americans choose to have cataract surgery each year, and the overall success rate is 97 percent or higher.

There are several types of cataracts including age-related, traumatic, congenital, and metabolic. Age-related cataracts are by far the most common type. A traumatic cataract can occur following both blunt and penetrating eye injuries as well as after electrocution, chemical burns, and exposure to radiation. Metabolic cataracts occur in uncontrolled diabetics, patients with galactosemia, Wilson disease, and Myotonic dystrophy.

Symptoms

There are a wide variety of cataract types, and a large spectrum of associated visual symptoms.

These symptoms may include:

• Blurred vision at distance or nearby

• Increasing near-sightedness or change in glasses or contacts prescription

• Glare (halos or streaks around lights, difficulty seeing in the presence of bright lights)

• Difficulty seeing in low light situations (including poor night vision)

• Loss of contrast sensitivity

• Loss of ability to discern colors

The Procedure

Our surgeons perform cataract procedures at the following locations:

1) Saint Luke’s South Surgery Center: 12541 Foster St. #120 Overland Park, KS 66213

2) Physician’s Surgery Center: 3840 W 75th St, Prairie Village, KS 66208

3) Ascentist Hospital: 4901 College Blvd, Leawood, KS 66211

4) Cedar Oaks Surgery Center: 706 Burkarth Rd A, Warrensburg, MO 64093

On the day of your surgery, we will administer numbing eye drops and intravenous (IV) sedation so that you remain comfortable. Your surgeon will then make a small, microscopic incision on the surface of your cornea and insert a tiny instrument into your eye. This tool uses ultrasound waves to break the cloudy lens into fragments. For patients with astigmatism, the surgeon may also make limbal relaxing incisions. Once the cataract has been removed and your doctor has placed your new lens, the incision will be closed. The entire procedure typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

Intraocular Lenses (IOL’s)

At Grin Eye Care we utilize the latest diagnostic tools, including the Zeiss IOL Master 700 and Veracity, to calculate patient implants prior to their procedure. Your doctor will use these state-of-the-art tools to determine which lens you are eligible for and will best suit your desired outcome. Your options will be discussed with you during your appointment prior to meeting with our surgery coordinator.

Our surgeons use the following lenses:

Standard: This lens is our basic lens available to you. It will not correct astigmatism, but it will provide you with a clear lens once your cataract has been removed.

Toric: The Toric lens helps to correct astigmatism and provides clear distance vision. You may need glasses for clear near and intermediate vision.

Multi-focal:

• The Clareon® PanOptix® is an advanced type of trifocal lens that uses ENLIGHTEN® technology, to help optimize vision at intermediate and distance, while still maintaining exceptional vision for both near and far distances. Take advantage of the first and only trifocal lens available in the United States!

• The Clareon Vivity lens provides clear distance and intermediate vision with functional near vision. You can immerse yourself in a range of activities while relying less on glasses!

Light Adjustable Lens (LAL/LAL+): This is the first and only lens that can be customized after your cataract procedure, optimizing your vision based on your unique preferences and lifestyle requirements! The light adjustable lens is made of photosensitive material that changes the shape and power of your implanted lens. At Grin Eye Care, we utilize the newest Light Delivery Device (LDD) to non-invasively deliver ultraviolet light which precisely reshapes your lens based on your customized prescription. This lens is an investment not only in your vision but also with your time. There will be 3-5 post-procedure visits to check your vision and make adjustments before the final lock-in of your customized prescription. You will be given special glasses to wear to protect your eyes from ultraviolet light that may interfere with your prescription before it is locked-in at your final visit. You will be required to wear these glasses up until 2 days after your final lock-in of the prescription.