Like death and taxes, cataracts are an inevitability (if we live long enough). However, despite the fact that it is so common, it is one of the most misunderstood conditions that we see at Stahl Eye Care Experts. One of the critical portions of our eye is the lens, which ,obviously, we are all born with. The lens sits right behind the iris and the pupil of the eye and is important for bending light so that we can see properly. As we get older, however, this lens becomes cloudy.
Simply put, a cloudy lens is known as a cataract. Although these mostly develop as we get older there are certain conditions which can lead to premature development of cataracts and, indeed, some people are actually born with them (a condition known as a congenital cataracts). In addition, there are environmental conditions such as ultraviolet light which speed the development of cataracts. The good news is it is a completely reversible form of vision loss.
Many years ago the surgery involved simply removing the cloudy lens. The patient stayed in the hospital for a few days after the surgery and then was relegated to wear very thick glasses which were distorting in nature but which took the place of the lens that was removed. A very bright physician in England by the name of Sir Harold Ridley revolutionized cataract surgery when he decided to implant an artificial lens in the eye. At the time he was branded a heretic. It was widely believed that implanting a lens would cause future problems for subsequent ophthalmologists. Dr Ridley’s conception proved correct and today the standard of care during cataract surgery is to implant a synthetic lens that will not become cloudy. In addition, at Stahl Eye Care experts we have a variety of lenses to choose from. Some of our patients choose to have a lens implanted that will give him/her excellent distance vision for driving without the need for glasses. Other patients choose to have excellent reading vision without the need for glasses. Some of our patients even choose to have one eye corrected for distance and the other for reading. At Stahl Eye Care Experts , your surgeon will discuss your individualized options with you to help you achieve your goals.
Lastly, our patients are very happy to hear that the surgery has been dramatically shortened in time so that the average cataract surgery is less than 20 minutes and most patients achieve 2020 vision within the first week of recovery. Furthermore since it is a medical condition the great majority of insurance companies including Medicare cover the associated costs!
