Understanding Cataracts
A cataract is a gradual clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens. The lens assists with focusing light rays onto the retina, which communicates images to the brain. After the cataract starts to cloud the lens, it is impossible to return the lens to its clear state with medications and may require cataract surgery. Various factors may cause cataracts including cigarette smoking and diabetes. Other factors such as obesity, prolonged exposure to sunlight, alcohol and smoking have been listed by the National Eye Institute as having the potential to increase cataract formation.
Most cataract patients with early cataracts are unaware that they have them; the common complaints are dullness of colors, glare, and problems with night driving. Cataracts will gradually limit a person’s ability to perform simple and basic tasks such as reading, driving, seeing road signs and even exercising. About 50% of people over the age of 60 and sometimes younger suffer from cataracts. In fact, cataracts are so common it is said that everyone will develop a cataract if they live long enough.
Listen to Dr. Carlos Martinez’s feature on HPR about Cataract awareness!
Your Cataract Surgery Options
If you have been told you are a candidate for cataract surgery, you have some important decisions to make. The first decision is the type of cataract surgery you desire. Eye Physicians of Long Beach is pleased to offer the region advanced all laser cataract surgery utilizing the LenSx Femtosecond Laser. This advanced technology uses a laser to create the cataract incision rather than a blade used when performing traditional cataract surgery. The cataract surgeons at Eye Physicians of Long Beach are highly experienced in both traditional cataract surgery and all laser cataract surgery. At your cataract surgery consultation your surgeon will review all the options with you to help you determine the best procedure for your individual needs. We recommend that you read about the cataract surgery options by following the links below.
All Laser Cataract Surgery
Traditional Cataract Surgery
Your Premium Lens Options
The next decision that needs to be made prior to having cataract surgery is your desired visual outcome. Are you seeking clear vision after cataract surgery? Would you like to see clearly after cataract surgery with reduced or no dependency on glasses? Premium lenses may be beneficial for you. At your cataract consultation, your Long Beach cataract surgeon will review your lens options and help you decide the best intraocular lens based on your individual needs. We encourage you to learn more about the lens options available at Eye Physicians of Long Beach by following the links below:
Vivity Lens
PanOptix IOL
Tecnis
Tecnis Symfony IOL
TORIC for Astigmatism
Our Additional Cataract Surgery Technology
In addition to offering the most advanced surgical technology, we are pleased of offer these additional technologies to enhance your visual outcome
The Ora System
The ORA System™ utilizes intraoperative wavefront aberrometer, similar to the technology that has made LASIK a customized, precise procedure. A low-intensity beam of laser light is directed into the eye. The laser light reflects off the patient’s retina and sensors in the aberrometer measure optical characteristics in the reflected light.
What does that mean for the Surgeon and You?
It gives the surgeon an accurate, real-time measurement of the eye’s focusing capabilities at any time during surgery. That helps your surgeon choose the best intraocular lens power and astigmatism correction. Giving the patient the best possible results. It truly is revolutionary and the difference is clear.
Benefits of ORA
Now, during the procedure, your surgeon can take measurements of your eye. ORA measurements are taken after the clouded cataract is removed, when the surgeon has a clear view, allowing him to tailor the procedure to your individual eye and refine your visual outcome.
VERION Image Guided System
Experience a procedure customized just for you.
Eye Physicians of Long Beach is proud to offer patients the new VERION™ Image Guided System. The VERION™ Image Guided System is designed to help your surgeon customize and perform a procedure tailored specifically to your eyes with computer accuracy.
The VERION™ Image Guided System allows your Long Beach cataract surgeon to use high-resolution images of your eye and other critical information throughout your entire procedure with image-guided precision. The system is designed to assist your surgeon in providing the visual results you desire and deserve.
How the VERION™ Image Guided System Works:
- First, measurements and images of your eye are taken non-invasively.
- Next, your surgeon uses a series of complex calculations provided by the system to tailor and optimize your surgical plan.
- Finally, your tailored surgical plan is used in combination with the high-resolution images of your eye to help precisely guide every phase of the procedure.