HOA Procedures

Cataract Surgery

No-Stitch Cataract Removal is now one of the most modern surgical procedures performed by Highland Ophthalmology's Surgeons. It is quick (10-15 minutes), efficient, painless, and usually does not require sutures. This speeds the recovery process and eliminates the nuisances associated with suture erosion and removal.

With this method, ultrasound technology is used to remove the cataract, and a special lens is implanted through a smaller incision than is required in traditional cataract surgery. The patients natural cloudy lens can be removed through an incision as small as 1/6 of an inch wide! Through this small incision, the cataract is dissolved and vacuumed out. A soft, foldable intraocular lens is then placed, allowing a clear focused light to reach the retina. A valve-like construction of the tiny surgical opening allows it to self-seal so that stitches are typically not required.

Most patients experience a rapid return to good vision following no-stitch/small-incision cataract surgery. In many cases, patients are able to see relatively well without glasses the day following cataract surgery. Fast healing and a quick return to an active lifestyle is one of the popular appeals of no-stitch/small-incision cataract surgery.

For most patients, the potential benefits of No-Stitch Cataract Surgery include:

- No stitches since the tiny incision seals by itself

- Topical anesthesia provides a rapid recovery

- Clear vision returns almost immediately

- Less chance of surgically-induced astigmatism

- Fewer visits for follow-up care

- Little, if any, discomfort

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Cataract Surgery & Astigmatism

It is important to know about Astigmatism and Cataract Surgery because this refractive condition can affect your ultimate vision correction after your Cataracts are removed, and thus your overall satisfaction with your surgery.

Astigmatism is a common refractive eye condition that, depending on its type and severity, may cause blurred vision. Generally astigmatism is caused by the Cornea having an irregular shape. The Cornea of a perfectly shaped eye has a smooth spherical surface, like a basketball. In eyes that have astigmatism, the Cornea will have more of an oblong, football-like shape, kind of like the shape of the back of a teaspoon.

Astigmatism does not always require correction in order to achieve good vision. Many people have some astigmatism. But, if only a small degree of astigmatism is present you may not even notice it, as it will not disturb your vision. Greater degrees of astigmatism do cause a blurring and sometimes a shadowing of vision and thus require correction in order to help you see your best.

Astigmatism can be pre-existing, meaning that it is present as part of your refractive error before your cataract surgery, or it can be post-surgical meaning that it occurred as part of your eye's healing response you're your Cataract Surgery.

Pre-existing astigmatism can be corrected as part of your Cataract Surgery to improve your vision and help you be less dependent on glasses or perhaps not even have to wear eyeglasses at all to see clearly at distance after your Cataract Surgery. Pre-existing Corneal astigmatism can be corrected during your cataract Surgery by two methods:

• A procedure called Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) allows your surgeon to place small peripheral incisions in the Cornea to "relax" the astigmatism, or
  
  
  
  
  
• An implantation of an Astigmatism-correcting "toric" lens implants or IOLs. Which procedure is right for you depends on the degree of astigmatism to be corrected. In some instances it may be necessary to have both a toric lens implant and an LRI to achieve your goal of not needing glasses to see clearly at distance after your Cataract Surgery. In a small number of cases it might even be necessary to have a Laser Eye Surgery procedure such as LASIK or PRK if you have a very large amount of astigmatism. We will fully discuss these options with you if you have pre-existing astigmatisim and may require both types of procedures or even LASIK/PRK depending on the extent of the astigmatism.

   

Post-surgical astigmatism can be corrected after your Cataract Surgery to improve your vision and help you be less dependent on glasses or perhaps not even have to wear eyeglasses at all to see clearly at distance after your Cataract Surgery. Post-surgical astigmatism can be corrected by two methods:

1. The LRI procedure as discussed previously, or

2. A Laser Eye Surgery procedure such as LASIK or PRK.

Toric Lens Implants are a type of Lens Implant that can correct astigmatism. Astigmatism is an optical aberration that is caused by the cornea being shaped more like a football, than spherical like a baseball. For Cataract patients who have astigmatism, and who do not wish to wear eyeglasses to see clearly at a distance, choosing a Toric Lens Implant can help them be independent of glasses for tasks such as driving, that require clear distance vision. In addition, for those who desire the clarity provided by an Aspheric Lens Implant (IOL), there is an Aspheric Toric IOL that offers an enhanced aspheric optical zone that improves image quality and increases contrast sensitivity for Cataract patients with astigmatism.

Toric Lens Implants do not correct Presbyopia, and therefore even with Toric Lens Implants to correct astigmatism after Cataract Surgery, most patients still require reading glasses or bifocals to be able to comfortably perform near vision tasks such as reading and intermediate vision tasks such as computer work. If you have a considerable amount of astigmatism, we will discuss Toric Lens Implants with you, as they may be a good option for providing you with the best possible vision without needing eyeglasses to see at distance after your Cataract Surgery.

Again, should you have post-surgical astigmatism that requires correction, and if you do not wish to wear eyeglasses or contact lenses to correct the post-surgical astigmatism, we will make specific recommendations on what options will help you achieve your vision correction goals.

The information that has been provided here is intended to give you an overview of Cataract Surgery and astigmatism. It is possible that your individual experience might be different. None of the information provided here is meant to be a substitute or replace our personal consultation with you nor does it replace the need for you to consult with us here at Highland Ophthalmology on the specific details of Cataract Surgery, astigmatism, LRI Limbal Relaxing Incisions or Toric Lens Implants.

For more information on AcrySof® ReSTOR®, please visit www.acrysofrestor.com.

For additional information about cataract surgery, please visit www.cataractsurgery.com.

AcrySof®ReSTOR® is a registered trademark of Alcon, Inc.

Our office is within an easy commute from the following areas in the Hudson Valley and Orange County and Dutchess County: New Windsor, Cornwall, Fishkill, Middletown, Florida, Warwick, Monroe, Harriman, Fort Montgomery, Highland Falls, Marlboro, Walden, Wallkill, Pine Bush, Vails Gate, Goshen, Salisbury Mills, Washingtonville, Campbell Hall, Montgomery, West Point, Modena, New Paltz, Highland, Beacon, Castle Point, Wappingers Falls, Poughkeepsie, NY.

With this, Highland Ophthalmology has become New Windsor's leading specialty eye care center. Call (845) 562-0138 today for your first consultation.