To learn more about Advanced Cataract and Presbyopia treatment, please take a moment to look through the information below.
It was not until recently that patients only had the option to receive monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) to restore their vision after cataract surgery. The monofocal IOL only has a single power, meaning patients have to decide if they prefer correction for their near or far vision. Then, they have to use glasses to correct the other. High Tech IOLs include multifocals lens, accommodative lens and toric (astigmatism) lens. These new high tech IOLs provide patient with even more enhanced quality of sight and some offer a full range of vision as they restore vision at intermediate and near distances. These advanced IOLs not only greatly reduces a patients need for glasses or contact lenses for seeing near or far, but also can offer this freedom to patients with astigmatism.
Up until recently, there has only been one type of Intraocular lens (IOL) available for cataract patients – the monofocal IOL. Fortunately, today’s technology has allowed us to now offer the multifocal IOL, which can improve both near and far vision, sometimes eliminating a patient’s dependency on glasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery.
There are many types of multifocal IOL’s available, including the following:
Each has high success rates showing patients, who received multifocal IOLs, had highly improved vision following surgery. Dr. Schottenstein will work with you individually to determine which type of IOL is right for you.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to determine which Advanced IOL is right for you.
The accommodative intraocular lens (IOL) is an innovation for improving vision for cataract patients or for correcting vision for patients with presbyopia. This surgically placed IOL replaces the natural lens of the eye with a permanently implanted lens that is designed to function as similarly to the natural eye as possible. It is designed with tiny hinges that allow the lens to reposition itself as you focus on various objects throughout the day.
Because our eyes naturally begin to age around 40, accommodative IOL’s are ideal for patients 45 years old and older who have presbyopia and are having cataract surgery. Like the multifocal IOL, this technology can greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses.
This simple, outpatient surgical procedure is performed under local anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes. Dr. Schottenstein utilizes the latest techniques in surgery, which is referred to as small-incision, no-stitch surgery. He uses high-energy sound waves to break up the natural lens allowing us to gently remove it before implanting the new lens. This minimally invasive procedure allows patients to return to home the same day.
Recovery time varies from patient to patient, but generally, most patients can resume normal daily activities within two days. However, the full focusing abilities will not be noticeable for up to eight weeks. You have to allow the eye time to learn how to focus with its new lens.
We proudly offer Crystalens accommodative IOL’s. Learn more about Crystalens on our Life Style Lens page.
Astigmatism is caused by the cornea being more curved in one direction than the other. It’s a condition where the lens of the eye has an uneven curve causing the light to be refracted unevenly, resulting in distorted vision. Toric IOLs are specially shaped IOLs designed to offset the imbalance created by the irregular shape of the cornea. Once implanted and aligned inside the eye, they stay fixed in place, eliminating pre-existing astigmatism.
Near Vision CK, also referred to as, Conductive Keratoplasty (CK) differs significantly from nearly every other major vision correction procedure mostly in the fact that it is non-invasive. In a CK procedure, focused radio waves are used to heat targeted areas of the cornea, which shrinks the connective collagen around the edges of the cornea. When the edges of the cornea shrink, the cornea itself tightens and becomes slightly narrower and steeper, which compensates for farsightedness.
A number of diagnostic tests will be performed to determine if you are a good candidate for Near Vision CK. Generally, patients who are over 40 years of age and require the use of reading glasses are good candidates. In addition, the patient must have not have undergone any other refractive surgeries and other than reading problems, have healthy vision.
CK has been approved by the FDA, and enjoys many benefits over other types of vision correction. One of those benefits is that the results of CK can be noticed immediately after the procedure, though the eye will typically take a few weeks to fully adjust. Also, because the procedure is non-invasive, the recovery time for CK is quite minimal, and there are very few side effects or risks associated with CK.
PRELEX is very similar to cataract surgery as far as the techniques used, but the difference is PRELEX is performed on non-cataract patients to reduce a person’s dependency on glasses and contact lenses and eliminate the need for cataract surgery in the future.
By replacing the eye’s natural lens, PRELEX can correct vision using a multifocal intraocular lens.
You might be a good candidate for PRELEX if you fall into any of the following categories:
PRELEX is an outpatient surgical procedure. Dr. Schottenstein will only perform PRELEX on one eye at a time. Using topical or anesthesia, we will numb your eye and gently vacuum out the natural lens through a tiny incision. Then, the IOL will be inserted through the same micro-incision. The incision will seal itself and usually will not require stitches. This type of surgery offers a faster recovery with fewer complications.
Patients will be allowed to return home soon after the surgery and asked to rest the remainder of the day. While everyone heals at different rates, most can resume normal daily activities within a day or two. It is important to understand that it will take time for your eye to regain full focusing power as you are adjusting to the visual qualities of the a new lens.
Refractive lensectomy (RLE) is a surgical procedure performed to correct a refractive error by replacing the eye’s natural lens with an artificial IOL. This surgery is considered mostly for farsighted patients, 35 years old and older, whose vision cannot be corrected by other refractive surgical procedures like LASIK. Often times, these patients also require reading glasses.
The surgery performed is similar to cataract surgery, except for the fact that a cataract is not being removed. The primary purpose of the surgery is to adjust the refractive properties of the eye. After the eye is numbed, a microscopic incision is made so the crystalline lens can be removed and replaced with either a monofocal or multifocal IOL. The incision will reseal itself, usually not requiring any stitches.
The RLE procedure is very precise and delivers optimum results. However, it is important to understand every patient’s healing response varies, so it is possible for a small number of patients to still have to partially rely on glasses or contact lenses.
LASIK is a treatment that corrects refractive errors. This eye surgery reshapes the cornea, making clearer vision possible. Refractive errors such as myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness) and astigmatism hinder a person’s focusing ability of the eye, thus making them dependant on eyeglasses and contact lenses. LASIK provides patients with an alternative. This safe and effective procedure removes a predetermined amount of corneal tissue and reshapes the cornea, which improves the focusing power of the eye and visual acuity. LASIK helps to reduce a patient’s reliance on eyeglasses and contact lenses.
Photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) is a laser-assisted vision correction procedure that reshapes the cornea. Like other procedures of its type, including LASIK, PRK removes material from the inner layers of the cornea to compensate for myopia, hyperopia and other vision abnormalities. Where these laser procedures differ, typically, is how the outer layers of the cornea is treated. With PRK, the outer layer is completely removed (usually with the assistance of the laser itself) and then the eye is allowed to heal on its own. After the procedure, bandage contact lenses are placed on the eye(s), helping to shield the cornea from infection and foreign material while the outer layers of the cornea heal and reform. Vision is typically obstructed while the outer layer heals, however, and patients occasionally report haziness, spots and other vision problems anywhere from the first few days to several months after the procedure.
Thanks to the evolution of technology, PRK is considered generally as effective as LASIK when comparing vision correction at the six-month mark. Because the outer layer of the cornea is removed, there is a chance of scarring complications with PRK, but this is rare thanks to improved equipment. There is also the possibility of infection, so patients undergoing PRK need to take care to protect their eyes while in their recovery period.
The Phakic IOL is an artificial lens that is implanted into the eye over the eye’s natural lens. It is used to help improve vision for patients with high levels of farsightedness and nearsightedness. Verisyse™ Phakic IOLs have proven effective in hundreds of thousands of patients worldwide. It’s designed to correct vision for patients who do not qualify for Custom LASIK.
The surgery is performed similarly to cataract surgery with the difference being the natural lens of the eye is not removed. A small incision is placed in the eye and the Verisyse™ Phakic IOL is then placed over the natural lens to provide high-definition vision.
One eye is treated at a time, and it takes about 30 minutes. Usually, no stitches are required and recovery time is minimal. Patients may be asked to wear a temporary shield to protect it for a short time after the procedure.
If you’re interested in learning more about available cataract treatments and whether you might be a good candidate for one, Dr. Edwin Schottenstein is here to help you. As an experienced ophthalmologist, Dr. Schottenstein has the skills necessary to correct a variety of vision issues. If you have any questions or would like to find out more about our services, please contact us. You can also schedule a visit at any of our five convenient NYC locations using our online appointment form. Make it a point to see an NYC eye doctor you can trust. Give Dr. Edwin Schottenstein a call today at (212) 874-2300.