Cataracts

Your eye works a lot like a camera. Light rays focus through your lens onto the retina, a layer of light-sensitive cells at the back of the eye. Similar to photographic film, the retina allows the image to be “seen” by the brain. Over time, the lens of our eye can become cloudy, preventing light rays from passing clearly through the lens. The loss of transparency may be so mild that vision is barely affected, or it can be so severe that no shapes or movements are seen—only light and dark.

When the lens becomes cloudy enough to obstruct vision to any significant degree, it is called a cataract. Eyeglasses or contact lenses can usually correct slight refractive errors caused by early cataracts, but they cannot sharpen your vision if a severe cataract is present.

Cataracts typically develop slowly and progressively, causing a gradual and painless decrease in vision. Other changes you might experience include blurry vision; glare, particularly at night; frequent changes in your eyeglass prescription; a decrease in color intensity; a yellowing of images; and in rare cases, double vision. With a routine outpatient surgical procedure Dr. Wilmarth can remove the cataract through a small opening and without using sutures. Usually, a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted at the time of cataract extraction to replace the focusing power of the natural lens.

IOLs can be monovision (fixed-focus for a preset distance), toric (corrects astigmatism) or accommodating (able to focus distance, near and everything in between). The time to have cataract surgery is when the cataract is affecting your vision enough to interfere with your normal lifestyle. Cataract surgery is a very successful operation. One and a half million people have this procedure every year in the United States, and 95% have a successful result.

As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur during or after surgery, and some are severe enough to limit vision. But in most cases, vision, as well as quality of life, improves. Dr. Wilmarth and his staff were named a National Center of Excellence by Eyeonics for outstanding results with Crystalens surgery for cataract removal and vision correction.

Frequently Asked Questions about Crystalens (Click question for answer to appear)

  • What is crystalens®?
    Crystalens® is a new technology that is designed to mimic the eye's natural ability to focus on distant, middle and near objects. Used in conjunction with standard cataract extraction methods, crystalens® can restore a full range of functional vision, from distance to reading vision without total dependence on glasses or contact lenses.
  • How do I know if I am a good candidate for crystalens® implantation?
    Your doctor will perform a thorough examination and advise you of a customized treatment plan for effectively correcting your vision.
  • Can my vision be corrected to 20/20, for both reading & distance?
    The crystalens® FDA two-year clinical study results indicate that 92% of the people enrolled in the study (implanted in both eyes) could see 20/25 or better at distance, 96% could see 20/20 at arm’s length and 73% could see 20/25 at near without glasses or contact lenses. What is more exciting is that 98% of these people could pass their drivers test, 100% could see their computer and dashboard, read the prices in the supermarket or put on their makeup, and 98% could read the telephone book or newspaper, all without glasses or contact lenses.
  • What about my computer vision?
    Over 96% of people enrolled in the clinical study were able to see 20/20 at arms length without correction.
  • How long with the surgery take? Will I feel anything?
    The actual surgery usually takes less than 20 minutes. All you have to do is to relax and hold still. A patch may be placed over your eye and someone will need to drive you home. Once at home, you should rest for the remainder of the day and avoid any strenuous activities. Your doctor will see you the day after surgery to remove the eye patch and examine your eye. Do not rub your eye. The doctor will give you additional medications that you will need to put in your eye for the next week or two.
  • How safe is the surgery?
    The medical procedure to implant crystalens® is the same safe, proven cataract surgery performed annually on over 7 million eyes globally. Over 40 million procedures have been done in the last 25 years. But because it is surgery, it is not completely risk-free. Current data indicate that 98% of people have no complications after cataract surgery and more than 95% have improved vision. Your doctor will perform a thorough examination and fully inform you of any increased risk of a complication.
  • What will my vision be like after surgery?
    Your distance vision will usually be very good within a day or two after surgery. However, your middle and near vision may be somewhat blurred at first. Drops will be applied to your eye after surgery, preventing the eye from changing focus from far to near. These drops dilate your pupil making you sensitive to light until the drops wear off. You may need to wear reading glasses to help you read during this time. After about 2 weeks, you will notice that your middle (arm's length) vision is improving and your near vision is also starting to get better. It may take several months for your eyes to reach their full focusing potential. The more you try to read without reading glasses, the quicker you will be able read without them.
  • When will I be able to return to normal activities after crystalens® refractive implantation?
    Typically you will be able to return to normal activities within several days after implantation with some limitations. Your eye may be sensitive to touch and bright light, but you should be able to drive and return to work in two to three days.
  • Will I have to have cataract surgery again?
    The presence of an artificial lens does not make the eye any more vulnerable to trauma. Indeed, once the human lens has been replaced by the crystalens® , eye trauma would not cause a cataract.
  • What happens if my eye is injured sometime in the future?
    Once your cataracts are removed and replaced with an artificial lens, you will never have to have cataract surgery again.
  • What will the crystalens® procedure cost? Will insurance cover any of it?
    Since each patient's vision is different and unique, the cost for the crystalens® procedure will vary. Generally speaking, private insurance may cover the cataract surgical procedure and may also allow a certain additional amount for the artificial lens implant. The insured is then required to pay a deductible as well as any additional amount above the primary coverage. (Some patients are completely responsible for payment – not all insurance companies will cover the same).
1830 Sierra Gardens Drive • Ste 100  • Roseville • California 95661 •  877-782-2111 • local 916-782-2111 • Copyright 2011