Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is an operation of high precision made possible by recent advancements in medical technology and surgical methods. During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the cataract, the cloudy lens of the eye, and replaces it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL) implant. Preoperatively, the health of the eye is carefully assessed to make certain that the cataract is indeed the cause of the patient’s vision loss.

Here at DuPage Ophthalmology, prior to cataract surgery, we use the most advanced instruments and imaging systems to perform the most extensive and precise examination on our cataract patients.

• The IOL Master and the Pentacam measure the corneal curvature of the eye. The immersion ultrasound A-scan and the IOL Master measure the axial length of the eye. Accurate measurements of the corneal curvature and axial length of the eye are crucial in selecting the proper intraocular lens for the eye.
• The specular microscope measures the corneal thickness and images the back layer of cornea, making sure the cornea is healthy enough to withstand the surgical manipulations from cataract surgery.
• Retinal photography and high-definition ocular coherence tomography image the retina and macula, to check for pathologies that could potentially limit the visual outcome after cataract surgery.
• Lastly, we feed the data to the most advanced calculating program (Holladay IOL Consultant), and with the aid of a computer, we calculate the most appropriate power of the intraocular lens implant that is going to be placed in the patient’s eye.

Detailed consultation is then carried out with each cataract patient in regard to:

• Patient’s visual potential after removal of cataract
• Patient’s visual requirements for work, hobbies, and other lifestyle issues
• Medical conditions that might affect the outcome of surgery
• Patient’s desires to be free of glasses and contact lenses
• The advantages and limitations of different type of intraocular lens implants
• The financial cost of each surgical option

The cataract surgery is relatively short and usually takes about ten minutes. The cataract surgeons at DuPage Ophthalmology employ cutting-edge surgical technologies and latest techniques in performing cataract surgery:

• Micro-incision phacoemulsification is the last technology that allows cataract surgery to be performed safely and efficiently. The incision is 1.8 to 2.2 mm in length.
• No-stitch incision allows rapid recovery, with the least amount of distortion to the cornea.
• Foldable intraocular lens implant keeps the incision small, enhances the safety of surgery and reduces recovery time.

Combining detailed pre-operative examination, meticulous surgical techniques, and vigilant postoperative care, we have attained excellent surgical outcomes for our cataract patients.

In most cases, our cataract patient uses only one eye drop after surgery, can return to their daily routines in one day, and be fitted with glasses in three weeks. Unlike most practices, which usually see their cataract patients the day after surgery, we see our patients the same day, usually within four hours after surgery, to ensure that there are no untoward effects from surgery. We have found that by seeing the cataract patients on the same day of surgery, we can better assess their condition and are in better position to head off any potential problems promptly.

At DuPage Ophthalmology, there are no ‘routine’ cataract patients. We assess every cataract patient individually and tailor a customized plan according to the visual needs of each patient. We strive to make cataract surgery ‘routine’ to the patient. However, this requires us to constantly improve our techniques and instruments. Our surgeons at DuPage Ophthalmology are innovators, constantly developing new and better techniques and instruments for cataract surgery. Through continuous improvement, we are determined to provide the best surgical outcomes to our cataract patients.

Laser capsulotomy

In its natural state, the lens capsule, a thin clear cellophane-like membrane, encloses the cataract completely. In modern cataract surgery, the cataract surgeon removes the cataract from the eye except a portion of the lens capsule. The portion of the lens capsule left behind is used to hold the intraocular lens in place after cataract surgery. Although the lens capsule is usually clear immediately after cataract surgery, it can become hazy, months to years later, and lead to decreased vision. This hazy lens capsule is called a secondary cataract.

In laser capsulotomy, a special laser (called YAG laser) is used to create an opening in the hazy capsule located behind the intraocular lens in order to improved patient’s vision. Laser capsulotomy re-establishes visual clarity by cutting an opening in the hazy lens capsule to allow unimpeded light transmission to the retina.

Laser capsulotomy is performed in office. Prior to laser capsulotomy, the pupil is usually dilated, and the eye is anesthetized with eye drops. The procedure takes about one to two minutes to complete with minimal discomfort. After the procedure, the patient is instructed to take anti-inflammatory eye drops for few days, and vision generally improves within few days after the treatment.