Cataracts
Cataract Surgery at Sierra Eye Group
Cataracts are a common condition affecting vision, particularly among adults aged 60 and older. At Sierra Eye Group, we understand the impact cataracts can have on your daily life. Whether caused by aging, injury, or other factors, cataracts cloud the lens of the eye, making it difficult to see clearly. We have a wide variety of solutions to cure your cataracts!
What is a Cataract?
Are you struggling with cloudy vision? You might have cataracts.
Cataracts occur when the clear lens of your eye becomes cloudy, making it difficult to see clearly. Think of it like trying to look through a foggy window. This cloudiness can dim your vision, making colors appear dull and causing glare from lights.
But don’t worry, there’s hope! Cataract surgery can help restore your vision and improve your quality of life. During the procedure, the cloudy lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear one, just like upgrading a camera lens for sharper images.
If you’re tired of squinting and straining to see, it’s time to take action. Schedule a consultation with us today and let’s discuss how cataract surgery can help you see the world more clearly again. You deserve to enjoy life without the frustration of cloudy vision. Let’s work together to bring back your clarity and brightness!
Cataracts in Visalia
Types of Cataracts
- Nuclear cataracts occur in the center of the lens
- Cortical cataracts occur as wedge-shaped spokes extending from the outside of the lens to the center
- Subcapsular cataracts occur at the back of the lens
Symptoms of Cataracts
- Blurred or dimmed vision (particularly at night)
- Cloudy vision
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Visual distortions or “ghost images”
- Increased nearsightedness
- Difficulty reading or driving
Causes of Cataracts
- Age-related cataracts are the most common, resulting from a natural build-up of proteins in the lens.
- Congenital cataracts may be present at birth or developed during childhood.
- Secondary cataracts develop when other health or ophthalmologic conditions (such as diabetes) are present.
- Traumatic cataracts can develop after an eye injury.
Cataract Symptom Checker
Treatment Options for Cataracts at Sierra Eye Group
Understanding Your Options
At Sierra Eye Group, we understand that every patient is unique, and so are their cataracts. That’s why we offer personalized treatment options tailored to your specific needs and vision goals.
Do You Need Treatment?
If your vision is only slightly affected by cataracts, you may not need immediate treatment. However, if your vision is significantly impaired, cataract surgery may be the best option to restore clarity and sharpness to your vision.
Please take our cataract self-test below:
Cataract Surgery: Your Solution
Our team is here to guide you through every step of the cataract surgery process, ensuring you understand what to expect before, during, and after the procedure. Rest assured, we’ll provide the personalized care and attention you deserve.
Choosing the Right Lens
Selecting the right type of lens implant is crucial for achieving optimal visual outcomes. Our team utilizes advanced technology and precise measurements to ensure the best possible results for your vision without the need for glasses.
Advanced Lenses
The choice of lens type depends on various factors such as your lifestyle, visual needs, and the recommendation of your ophthalmologist. It’s essential to discuss these options thoroughly with your eye care provider to determine the most suitable lens for your individual situation.
There are several types of lenses available for cataract surgery, each offering different benefits and vision outcomes:
Monofocal Lenses
These are the standard lenses used in cataract surgery. They provide clear vision at one distance (usually either near, intermediate, or far). Patients may still need glasses for activities like reading or driving, depending on the distance chosen for focus.
Multifocal Lenses
These lenses can correct vision at multiple distances, reducing the need for glasses after surgery. They can provide clear vision for near, intermediate, and far distances simultaneously. However, some patients may experience halos or glare, especially at night.
Accommodating Lenses
These lenses are designed to mimic the natural lens’s ability to adjust focus based on the distance of objects. They offer a range of clear vision and may reduce the need for glasses, particularly for intermediate distances.
Toric Lenses
These lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism, which is a common condition that causes blurry vision. They can improve both distance and near vision, especially for patients with significant astigmatism.
Enhanced Vision Options
In addition to cataract surgery, we offer Advanced Refractive Cataract Packages designed to address specific vision outcomes and enhance your overall visual experience. Our experienced surgeons will work closely with you to determine the best lens implant for your lifestyle and preferences. From standard monofocal lenses to premium vision packages, we’ll work with you to find the best solution for clear, comfortable vision.
Cataract Surgery Packages
Light Adjustable Lens Package
With a light adjustable lens, patients have the option of choosing to correct their vision at a variety of distances. These lenses can correct for nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), or both, by optimizing one eye for each. This highly customizable lens allows for patients to trial their preferred focal point correction before locking it in.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the first lens that offers fine tuning, or adjustments, to the prescription after surgery. Following cataract surgery with this lens, our team can optimize the best prescription for you, for both distance and near vision. Generally, patients need between 2 and 5 adjustments before locking in their best vision. UV protective goggles are necessary to wear during all waking hours for up to 6 weeks until we can get the prescription locked in.
This package includes:
- Advanced diagnostic testing
- Astigmatism correction
- LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
- Specialty Light Adjustable Lens
- Light adjustment sessions
- Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
- Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
Single Distance Astigmatism Package (Near or Far)
Patients with an astigmatism may need to opt for an enhanced lens and/or astigmatism correcting technology, to appropriately treat their vision. Our single distance astigmatism package corrects nearsightedness (myopia) or farsightedness (hyperopia). This package includes:
- Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
- Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, planning, and care
- LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
- Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
- Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
Blended Vision Astigmatism Package (Reading + Distance)
With a blended vision package, patients with astigmatism are able to obtain near and far vision by having one eye corrected for near vision and one corrected for distance vision. This allows for less dependence on glasses for both ranges.
- Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
- Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, additional monovision (blended vision) testing, planning and care
- LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
- Toric lens technology (if necessary for astigmatism)
- Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
- Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
Presbyopia Package (Near, Intermediate and Far)
In our presbyopia package, we use a specialty lens (accommodating, multifocal, or extended depth of focus) to offer patients less dependence on glasses at a variety of focal ranges (near, far, and intermediate).
- Advanced diagnostic technology & testing
- Extended pre-operative measurements, calculations, additional monovision (blended vision) testing, planning and care
- LENSAR™ Laser Surgical System
- Multifocal, Accommodating, or Extended Depth of Focus lens technology
- PanOptix or Vivity IOL technology – the newest lens technology that offers a full range of quality vision and corrects astigmatism
- Post-operative laser enhancements (if necessary)
- Extended aftercare for up to 180 days after surgery
