Cataract Eye Surgery

Our SurgiCenter in Vineland is accredited by the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC), the nation’s leading accrediting organization of outpatient facilities. Being accredited means that we have undergone a rigorous professional scrutiny by highly qualified AAAHC professionals and found to provide quality care.

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the natural lens in your eye. If symptoms of cataracts are mild, a change in glasses may be all that is necessary. However, if cataracts are causing symptoms that interfere with daily activities, surgery may be considered. People with advanced cataracts often say they feel as if they’re looking through a light fog or a piece of waxed paper.

No medication, laser treatment or exercise regimen can make a cataract disappear. The only way to eliminate a cataract is through cataract surgery, a 10-minute microsurgical procedure in which the old clouded lens is removed through a tiny sutureless incision and replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) . The exact power of the new, implanted lens is determined ahead of time by a precise measurement of the eye. At Eye Associates, we have four surgical treatment options available to you: Standard, StandardPLUS, Custom and CustomPLUS. All of these are available dropless and IV free. The Standard option include a standard monofocal IOL which is covered by your insurance as part of your cataract surgery. Patients that want more freedom from glasses have the option to choose StandardPLUS, Custom, or CustomPlus options which incorporate laser guided measurements and elective premium IOLs: Toric, Restor, or Tecnis MF. The right choice for you depends on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and the overall health of your eyes. Prior to your procedure and after the evaluations necessary, the surgeon will decide which option will work best for you.

HOW IS CATARACT SURGERY PERFORMED?

Removing the Cataract

The surgery is done under a microscope using tiny instruments the size of a pen tip. The eye is numbed with anesthetic drops. A very small incision is created in the cornea and highly advanced ultrasound device is used to break the cataract up and remove it in tiny pieces.

Placing the IOL

After the cataract is removed, an artificial lens (or IOL) is put in its place. IOLs are made of flexible material allowing our surgeons to insert the lens through tiny incisions. Once inserted, the lens opens up and locks in place.

Closing Up

Once the cloudy cataract is removed and the artificial lens is inserted, light can now easily pass through the lens restoring vision. The incisions are so small that stitches are rarely required.