CATARACT SURGERY

Cataract is a cloudiness which forms in the natural lens of the eye causing blurred vision. Poor vision from cataract in most cases requires surgery. In some instances, however, a simple change of eyeglasses may restore vision, which has been changed by cataract. Cataract surgery is performed for those individuals who desire or require better vision and in whom it has been determined vision has been diminished from cataract. Cataract surgery is rarely medically necessary and is almost always elective. This means that it is performed only when an individual desires improved vision. Failure to have cataract surgery will not cause irreversible damage to the eye.  However, poor vision from cataract almost always worsens with time. How rapidly vision loss occurs varies from individual to individual. Removing cataract can improve vision and any other symptoms which may be caused by cataract, such as glare in bright sunlight or when driving at night and double or distorted vision. Delaying cataract removal for years may make surgery more difficult causing delayed recovery especially in elderly individuals.

The operation, Lens Options, and Glasses

Cataract surgery involves anesthetizing the eye with a local anesthetic either injected into the lower eyelid or a topical eye drop anesthetic. The surgeon enters the eye with tiny instruments and removes the natural lens of the eye, replacing it with a silicone, acrylic or other plastic artificial lens. The lens lasts a lifetime with no adverse effects (rejection) if it is properly implanted. In the past the strength of the new lens placed within the eye could be customized to achieve good distance vision or near vision but not both. However, in the recent past, the FDA approved lenses that allow simultaneous focusing of distance and near and accommodating lenses that can change their position within the eye for near and distance vision. Unfortunately, accommodating intraocular lenses and diffractive lenses are not paid for by most insurance companies and Medicare. Furthermore, Medicare patients cannot be balance billed the difference between what the lens actually costs to provide and the fee that Medicare pays for lenses. For most Medicare patients the only option is to decide whether you want to wear glasses after cataract surgery for either distance or near vision viewing. Most patients who were nearsighted prior to surgery prefer to continue being nearsighted after surgery.  However, most farsighted patients want to have their distance vision corrected and wear reading glasses for all near vision tasks.

It should be noted that there are alternatives to lens implants such as thick glasses or contact lenses if you decide that you do not want to have an artificial material placed within your eye. However, it should be noted that practically all cataract surgery patients prefer the use of intraocular implants, since most individuals feel that the alternative of glasses or contact lenses is less desirable than the intraocular lens. Thick glasses produce image distortion and magnification and contact lenses are inconvenient to use.

 Dr. Benedetto performs cataract surgery at The River Drive Cataract And Laser Center (pictured above). The Center is dedicated exclusively to eye surgery and is owned and operated by 15 eye surgeons in the region including Dr. Benedetto. The center performs thousands of cataract surgeries each year, utilizing the latest lens removal technology, lens implants and diagnostic equipment. The center staff includes on site board certified anesthesiologists and internists. Patients are comfortable knowing that the staff is highly trained, experienced and focused on providing efficient service in an office setting with the safety of a hospital.

Complimentary round trip ride service is provided for all cataract patients on the day of surgery.  This service ensures that no one will have transportation problems causing delays in patient care on the day of surgery or inconvenience to other members of the family. 

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