PREMIER VISION ASSOCIATES Focus on Cataract What isa Cataract? The human eye is analogous to a camera. The lens in an eye is analogous to the lens in the camera. It transmits light and can focus on distance or near objects by changing its shape. "Cataract" is an opacification of the natural crystalline lens in the eye. This opacification can happen due to many factors including age, injury, UV light exposure, and certain medication use. If left unchecked, the cataracts can cause loss of vision and subsequently decrease in activities of daily living for many people. What are symptoms of a cataract? Although cataracts can present with a myriad of symptoms, the most common ones include: Decreased vision while doing distance tasks such as driving Decreased vision while reading Decreased contrast sensitivity Presence of Glare/halos especially around lights (example: oncoming headlights while driving) How is a cataract measured? Cataracts are measured through a careful ophthalmic exam with an experienced eye care provider. While shining oblique rays of light through the lens using a Slit lamp, the doctor can grade the amount and quality of the cataract. There are many different types of cataract including Nuclear Sclerotic, Posterior Subcapsular, and Cortical. When is cataract ready to be removed? Cataract is usually removed when it becomes visually significant and affects the activities of daily living for the patient. For example, if a patient was able to drive to the church group gathering in the evenings a year ago, but now does not feel confident because of glare around on-coming headlights that could be considered visually significant based on the visual acuity. How are cataracts removed? Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. In the phacoemulsification technique, the cataract is accessed by the surgeon using a small incision (typically below 3mm) in the cornea. Through this, the surgeon peels back the top layer (capsule) covering the cataract. Thereafter, the surgeon is able to break up the cataract into small pieces and remmove them carefully out of the eye. After further cleanup of the capsule, a foldable lens is placed in the area. This lens is safe to stay in the cye for the rest of the patient's life. There are many lens choices that are available to patients (see below) and typically the lenses are individualized to cach patient. After the lens is placed, the area is cleaned further and the eye is pressurized. Typically, no suture or patching is nceded. Why do I need an intraocular lens (IOL) during cataract surgery and what are my options? Both the cornea and lens are used to focus the light onto the retina. When the natural cataract lens is removed, the power that the lens contributes to the visual system is also removed. If a lens was not implanted, only the cornea would be responsible for focusing the light. This would result in very blury vision because considerable amount of power would be missing. After the 1OL is placed, the light is able to focus on the retina. There are a few options for 1OL's available for patients. Standard monofocal lens Toric/astigmatism correcting lens Multifocaljextended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses During the pre-operative assessment, the most appropriate lens for the patient is selected based on the testing and lifestyle requirements of the patient, Gaurav Singh M.D., Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Gaurav Singh is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who provides laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma, non-surgical care for diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. Dr. Singh also has experience in the latest small-incision cataract surgery including Laser- assisted cataract surgery (LenSx). In addition, he has a wealth of experience with Advanced Technology Lens (ATL) implantation including Toric and Multifocal lenses. Furthermore, Dr. Singh offers laser treatment for removal of visually significant floaters (Vitreolysis). Premier Vision Associates 202 N. Hammes Ave | (815) 744-2020 "Providing World-Class Eye Care" Monday-Friday 9-5 www.Premier2020.com PREMIER VISION ASSOCIATES Focus on Cataract What isa Cataract? The human eye is analogous to a camera. The lens in an eye is analogous to the lens in the camera. It transmits light and can focus on distance or near objects by changing its shape. "Cataract" is an opacification of the natural crystalline lens in the eye. This opacification can happen due to many factors including age, injury, UV light exposure, and certain medication use. If left unchecked, the cataracts can cause loss of vision and subsequently decrease in activities of daily living for many people. What are symptoms of a cataract? Although cataracts can present with a myriad of symptoms, the most common ones include: Decreased vision while doing distance tasks such as driving Decreased vision while reading Decreased contrast sensitivity Presence of Glare/halos especially around lights (example: oncoming headlights while driving) How is a cataract measured? Cataracts are measured through a careful ophthalmic exam with an experienced eye care provider. While shining oblique rays of light through the lens using a Slit lamp, the doctor can grade the amount and quality of the cataract. There are many different types of cataract including Nuclear Sclerotic, Posterior Subcapsular, and Cortical. When is cataract ready to be removed? Cataract is usually removed when it becomes visually significant and affects the activities of daily living for the patient. For example, if a patient was able to drive to the church group gathering in the evenings a year ago, but now does not feel confident because of glare around on-coming headlights that could be considered visually significant based on the visual acuity. How are cataracts removed? Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure. In the phacoemulsification technique, the cataract is accessed by the surgeon using a small incision (typically below 3mm) in the cornea. Through this, the surgeon peels back the top layer (capsule) covering the cataract. Thereafter, the surgeon is able to break up the cataract into small pieces and remmove them carefully out of the eye. After further cleanup of the capsule, a foldable lens is placed in the area. This lens is safe to stay in the cye for the rest of the patient's life. There are many lens choices that are available to patients (see below) and typically the lenses are individualized to cach patient. After the lens is placed, the area is cleaned further and the eye is pressurized. Typically, no suture or patching is nceded. Why do I need an intraocular lens (IOL) during cataract surgery and what are my options? Both the cornea and lens are used to focus the light onto the retina. When the natural cataract lens is removed, the power that the lens contributes to the visual system is also removed. If a lens was not implanted, only the cornea would be responsible for focusing the light. This would result in very blury vision because considerable amount of power would be missing. After the 1OL is placed, the light is able to focus on the retina. There are a few options for 1OL's available for patients. Standard monofocal lens Toric/astigmatism correcting lens Multifocaljextended depth of focus (EDOF) lenses During the pre-operative assessment, the most appropriate lens for the patient is selected based on the testing and lifestyle requirements of the patient, Gaurav Singh M.D., Board Certified Ophthalmologist Dr. Gaurav Singh is a comprehensive ophthalmologist who provides laser and surgical treatment of glaucoma, non-surgical care for diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration. Dr. Singh also has experience in the latest small-incision cataract surgery including Laser- assisted cataract surgery (LenSx). In addition, he has a wealth of experience with Advanced Technology Lens (ATL) implantation including Toric and Multifocal lenses. Furthermore, Dr. Singh offers laser treatment for removal of visually significant floaters (Vitreolysis). Premier Vision Associates 202 N. Hammes Ave | (815) 744-2020 "Providing World-Class Eye Care" Monday-Friday 9-5 www.Premier2020.com