The IOL doesn’t require any upkeep, unlike contact lenses. Implantable contact lenses never get dirty or dry out. You don’t need to worry about putting it in every morning or losing it. Additionally, you cannot become allergic to it over time. Patients report that they do not feel or notice the new lens, and others cannot see it. The new lens won’t change the way your eye looks from the outside, but it will significantly enhance your vision. As a matter of fact, we offer lens options that can be customized to your unique visual needs so that you may no longer require the use of glasses or readers after your Cataract Surgery.

Will my Cataract Surgery hurt?

Your eye surgeon will perform your procedure with the assistance of an anesthesiologist who will use an IV to provide sedation for your procedure. You will also have numbing drops administered to the surface of your eye to ensure that you are comfortable. Most patients report experiencing a mild pressure sensation during lens implantation but no pain during their surgery.

How long will it take my eye to heal?

Most patients notice improved eyesight within the first day after their surgery. Each individual is different, and healing times may vary, but in general, it can take anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks to fully recover from Cataract Surgery. Along with the healing of your eye, sometimes your brain will also require several weeks to adjust to the new technology in the artificial lens.

Will I undergo surgery in both eyes on the same day?

Most cataract surgeons perform surgery one eye at a time. The timeframe between both eye surgeries may vary, but it is usually at lest two weeks. Nonetheless, there are special circumstances where doing both eyes on the same day is the best option for the patient.

Can cataracts return after surgery?

Cataracts do not return after they are removed surgically. However, a small percentage of patients may develop blurry vision due to scar tissue that develops on the lens implant. This scar tissue can be safely and effectively removed with a quick and painless outpatient laser procedure done in the office. Once this laser procedure is done, the scar tissue does not return in the future.

Who is a Toric lens a good option for?

Many patients have an asymmetry in their cornea, known as astigmatism. This astigmatism causes blurred vision, and it is usually treated with either glasses or contact lenses.

The Toric lens implant is an advanced technology lens implant that allows Dr. Pathak to correct your astigmatism during your Cataract Surgery. Most patients who benefit from this premium lens are able to perform activities such as driving and watching television with reduced dependence on glasses.

What is a Multifocal lens?

A Multifocal lens implant is designed for patients who are interested in reducing their dependence on glasses for distance and near tasks after cataract treatment. During standard Cataract Surgery, a basic lens implant is used to allow for clear sight at only one distance. Patients who receive this basic lens implant often need a corrective lens to supplement their vision at other distances. On the other hand, with a Multifocal lens implant, patients are typically able to see in the distance and read up close without glasses most of the time.

There are other types of premium lens options that are similar to Multifocal lenses. These lens options include Extended Depth of Focus lenses and Trifocal lenses. As a regional leader in Cataract Surgery, Dr. Pathak is well versed in premium lens technology. There is an art to finding the right combination of lenses for each individual. As a patient-centered office, we will take the time to get to know you so that we can tailor your surgical plan to fit your unique visual needs.

Will Multifocal lenses eliminate my need for glasses?

There is no guarantee that you will be free of your glasses. The Multifocal lens (along with the other types of premium intraocular lenses) provide most patients with more freedom to perform their daily activities without glasses. Nonetheless, every patient has a different visual system, and results may vary.

Is there a downside to the Multifocal lens?

Some patients take up to 6 months to get used to the way the Multifocal lens changes their vision. In addition, a small minority of patients may experience symptoms such as halos around lights in dimly lit conditions.

When should I have Cataract Surgery?

You are the only one who can decide this for yourself. Most eye surgeons will recommend cataract surgery when a person feels that their quality of life has been impacted and that their ability to engage in regular activities (such as driving, reading, or sports) has been compromised. You might be able to get by temporarily with a new prescription, stronger bifocals, greater magnification, different lighting, or other visual aids when cataract symptoms first appear. Many people experience a gradual clouding that does not interrupt their normal daily activities at first.

We advise scheduling a comprehensive evaluation to go over your options if you begin to experience age-related visual impairment that starts to affect your quality of life. After cataract treatment, many cataract patients no longer need glasses, no longer have to deal with cataracts, and no longer have to miss out on the beautiful things in life.

What is the difference between traditional Cataract Surgery and Laser Cataract surgery?

One of the most common and safest surgeries done today is modern Cataract Surgery. With each new advancement, the process and technology both get better. Cataract surgeries have been around for a long time, but with all the advancements in eye technology, techniques, and practices, it can be confusing for patients to understand the differences between the procedures. Some surgery centers offer both options to their patients, and knowledge is power when it comes to deciding what is best for your vision.

The cataract-clouded lens is removed during traditional Cataract Surgery by creating a very small incision on the side of the cornea. The cataract is then broken up using ultrasound energy so that it can be gently suctioned out and removed.

Once the cataract has been removed, the normal lens will be replaced with an intraocular lens. There is no requirement for sutures because the eye tissue at the site of the incision heals by itself.

The technology utilized in traditional and laser Cataract Surgery is one of the key distinctions between the two types of cataract treatments. To make the incisions and remove the lens during traditional cataract surgery, handheld instruments like a blade and forceps are used. On the other hand, with laser Cataract Surgery, a laser can be used to create these incisions and to assist in breaking up the cataract so that it can be gently suctioned out of the eye.

So, does laser assisted Cataract Surgery provide better vision outcomes than traditional Cataract Surgery? According to a landmark study that can be found in this article in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, visual outcomes are identical between the two methods. What about safety? Again this study demonstrated no difference in complication rate or adverse postoperative events between the two methods. It is also important to note that laser usage for Cataract Surgery is not covered by any major insurance carrier. In our experience, using a laser to perform Cataract Surgery adds extra time and cost with no added benefit to the patient. It is for this reason that we do not offer laser Cataract Surgery.

We use other technologies that can indeed improve your vision outcomes such as state of the art imaging technology in the office. Our surgical team employs multiple devices to determine your eye’s exact length, corneal curvature, and the unique way that your eye treats light rays (also known as wavefront imaging). Our technology includes Zeiss’s IOLmaster 700, Ziemer’s Galilei G4, and Marco’s OPD3. Each of these instruments provides information that allows us to create a precisely customized surgical plan for your eye. We use a cataract planning software known as Veracity which can track and optimize our results. In the operating room, we use an imaging technology known as Callisto which provides real-time image guidance for proper lens centration and alignment.

I have insurance, so why can't I just go to my regular ophthalmologist to get my cataract taken care of?

Most eye doctors are able to treat cataracts, and we believe they should do so. Cataract Surgery with your ophthalmologist, who will bill insurance, is unquestionably the least expensive option. Due to the fact that Medicare and other health insurance providers will pay for both the operation and the cost of a basic monofocal lens, many patients will decide to do that.

However, you should carefully consider a refractive cataract specialist, like Dr. Pathak, whose exclusive focus is on technology, service, and outcomes if your objective is to optimize your vision and be as glasses-independent as possible. There are additional charges, even with insurance coverage, if you wish to totally restore your visual perception (without glasses or “readers”) because technologically advanced lenses are not covered by any medical insurance policies.

If you are looking for Cataract Surgery in Long Beach California, Dr. Pathak, your Long Beach cataract surgeon, is here to help. At Lucent Vision cataract center, our goal is to deliver the benefits of clear unaided vision with a 5-star experience. You don’t have to see life through a clouded lens. We are here to help restore your vision and eliminate cataracts for good! Call our Long Beach office today to book an appointment with Dr. Pathak and start your journey to visual freedom. Or make an appointment here.