Cataracts are part of the normal aging process. They occur when the lens on the eye gets cloudy. Some people say the lens turns a yellowish color and it’s like trying to look through wax paper. The lens in the eye is responsible for focusing light rays on the retina. In turn, the retina relays images to the brain. When the lens is cloudy, it gets more and more difficult to see. It gets to the point where individuals can lose all their sight. Cataracts may occur in one or both eyes and surgery is the only way to correct it.
Surgeons say cataract surgery almost always has a good outcome. It’s an outpatient procedure and patients are able to go home and resume normal activities. The surgeons at the Eye Care Center in Charlottesville, VA perform many procedures every day. The surgery begins with a tiny incision and the old lens material is removed. Next, the surgeon implants a man-made intraocular lens. This lens folds and slides through a tube and unfolds near the incision. The lens is made of materials like silicon and acrylic and won’t scratch or irritate the eye. Finally, the surgeon centers the new lens in the eye. There is new technology that can improve vision from all distances. These premium lens options can be implanted during cataract surgery in Eye Care Center in Charlottesville, VA.
Some patients want to have the ability to see things that are far away, and use reading glasses to see close-up. Doctors implant a monofocal lens to achieve this. When light enters a monofocal lens it can only bend to one focal point clearly. A surgeon can choose a monofocal lens that helps people see things clearly far away, or a stronger lens that helps one see closer objects. Usually, glasses are still needed for some activities. Monovision is a process where patients have one lens implanted that helps them see things from a distance. A lens is implanted in the other eye to see things close-up Over time, the patients can train their eyes to see up close and from a distance without glasses. For more information, contact the Horizon Family Eye Care.
