Albuquerque Cataract Surgeons
A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. While cataracts often look like a film that develops over the eye, cataracts actually affect the lens that resides within the eye, preventing light from reaching the retina. Most people develop cataracts as they age and notice them when it becomes difficult to carry out routine activities, like driving or reading. There is no medication to prevent cataracts and if left untreated, cataracts can cause blindness.
While there is no way to prevent cataracts, technology has made it possible to remove the eye’s natural clouded lens and replace it with a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). This surgery is an outpatient procedure and patients generally resume normal activity the very next day after surgery.
Types of Lenses
There are many different lens options available to patients who are considering cataract surgery. The two main types of lenses available to cataract patients today are monofocal lenses and multifocal lenses.
- Monofocal lenses are traditional IOLs that allow recipients to see clearly at a single distance, generally far away. This means that you will still be dependent on glasses for up close vision.
- Multifocal and accommodating lenses allow recipients to be less dependent on glasses, because the lenses are able to focus light at a variety of distances. Insurance does not cover the additional cost of these types of lenses.
Dr. Bernitsky, your Albuquerque cataract doctor, will help you determine what type of lens would be best for your situation.
When Should You Have Your Cataract Surgery?
That depends on you! The appropriate timing of cataract surgery varies from person to person. As a general rule, when your quality of life is being adversely affected by the decrease in vision caused by the cataract, it’s time to consider surgery. The earliest signs of cataracts include worsening night vision, increasing difficulty with driving, reading or watching T.V. When any of these symptoms keep you from doing the things you want to do, it’s time to have your cataracts removed.
How long until my cataracts are ‘ripe’?
Again, that varies from person to person. Many times cataracts develop very, very slowly over a period of many years. However, in some individuals they can progress very rapidly, with loss of vision occurring in just a few months.
Dr. Bernitsky is a board certified ophthalmologist who performs all types of vision correction surgeries in Albuquerque, including cataract surgery. After a comprehensive evaluation of your eyes, Dr. Bernitsky will be able to provide you with the knowledge you need to make informed decisions about how best to proceed with correcting your vision.
The best way to learn more about your eyes is a free consultation.
Call us at 505.323.0800 or click here to request a brochure.