Cataract Surgery
PERSONALIZED CATARACT CARE
Your vision · A plan made for you
100,000+ ophthalmic procedures represent the combined career experience of MEC physicians across the practice’s history. Cataract surgery, laser treatments and other eye procedures, supported by a team approach to your care.
Begin your cataract consultation at our Frankfort, Olympia Fields, Palos Heights or Bourbonnais office. We connect your examination, lens planning and follow-up around your needs.
Cataract Surgery: Things You Should Know
Cataracts are a clouding of the otherwise clear lens of the eye. This condition is very common and is most commonly associated with aging, though anyone of any age can develop cataracts. For people who suffer with the condition, blurry vision and glare from bright lights can make it difficult to perform normal, everyday tasks like driving, reading, preparing meals and doing housework. Vision obstructions caused by cataracts can lessen quality of life and force reliance on others on a day to day basis.
Cataract surgery removes the eye’s cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Your examination and measurements help your surgeon plan treatment and recommend cataract lens options for your eyes and daily activities. Some lenses can reduce dependence on glasses, although glasses may still be needed.
Cataract surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure. Your surgeon will discuss anesthesia, benefits, potential risks and expected recovery during your consultation. MEC’s combined physician career experience spans 100,000+ ophthalmic procedures across the practice’s history, including cataract surgery, laser treatments and other eye procedures. The timing of surgery depends on how cataracts affect your daily life and the overall health of your eyes. Your doctor will help you decide when treatment is appropriate and whether to use traditional cataract surgery or laser-assisted cataract surgery.
Which One is Right For You?
Multack Eye Care offers both and can help you decide on the best option for your vision and lifestyle needs. Here’s what you need to know about both types of cataract surgeries.
What Are Cataracts?
Preparing For Cataract Surgery
Laser Surgery Vs. Traditional
Traditional Cataract Surgery
Traditional cataract surgery, also called phacoemulsification or manual cataract surgery, is the older and more commonly used type of cataract surgery. In both traditional and laser cataract surgeries, the cloudy lens is removed and usually replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL).
In traditional surgery, the Ophthalmologist makes an incision near your cornea. Through this incision, the doctor inserts a thin probe with which to transmit sound waves, or ultrasound, to break up the cloudy lens. The broken pieces of the lens are then suctioned out, and a new artificial IOL is inserted to replace the damaged lens.
Because the incision is so small, it self-seals, and no stitches are required.
Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
In laser-assisted cataract surgery, your surgeon uses imaging to plan selected steps of the procedure. A femtosecond laser may create corneal incisions and the opening in the lens capsule, and soften the cataract before removal. Your surgeon remains responsible for the surgical plan and treatment.
This device also softens the cataract before using ultrasound waves to shatter the lens and suction the pieces away from the eye, as with traditional cataract surgery. The small incision in laser surgery self-seals without stitches.
After Cataract Surgery
Recovery varies with the procedure and the health of your eyes. Your team will explain your eye-drop plan, activity instructions and follow-up visits. Follow your own surgeon’s instructions and contact the office if you have concerns during recovery.
Which type of surgery should you choose?
A femtosecond laser can assist with selected steps of cataract surgery, such as creating corneal incisions and the opening in the lens capsule. Your surgeon completes the remaining steps with other surgical instruments. The choice between traditional and laser-assisted surgery depends on your eyes, treatment plan and clinical judgment. Either approach requires an experienced surgeon, and using a laser does not guarantee a particular visual result.
But the two areas where laser surgery is thought to be the better option are for:
- Correcting astigmatism
- Placing premium IOLs
Laser surgery can reshape your cornea to correct a small amount of astigmatism. And the laser-assisted technology also allows for optimal placement of the IOL.
For more information on which cataract surgery is the right option for you, request an appointment at one of our convenient locations. If your natural lens is not yet significantly cloudy but you are considering lens-based vision correction, learn about refractive lens exchange (RLE) / clear lens exchange (CLE).
In Office Cataract Surgery
Did you know Multack Eye Care can now offer in office Cataract Surgery at our very own in-office surgery center? Laser and Cataract Institute (LCI), is located in our Frankfort office. And like Multack Eye Care, LCI only offers the most advanced and modern equipment in a comfortable relaxing facility to give you the best experience and vision possible. From our massage chairs in pre-op, personal care each step, and our superior advanced technology like our 3d digital imaging, Laser and Cataract Institute only offers the best for our patients. LCI is fully accredited by The American Association for Accreditation of Ambulatory Surgery Facilities. LCI is not only advanced with its technology but also with who performs surgery there. Multack Eye Care and LCI only partners with the most skilled, board certified, and talented surgeons around to make sure you are in the absolute best hands and care possible. Our affiliated doctors utilize the latest technology to provide you with the best possible outcome, fastest recovery in a safe, comfortable, and convenient environment. Our entire surgical center and team have been prepared and trained to make this the best experience possible for your eye care journey. We are committed to delivering the world’s best to you. So whether you need a quick turnaround for surgery with your schedule, you don’t have insurance, or you’d rather not have surgery in a public surgery center or hospital and like a personalized touch, LCI is the right choice for you, Come See the Difference Today!
Advantages of an Office-Based Surgery Center
Office-based surgery centers are becoming the facilities of choice for some surgeons and their patients. These facilities allow tighter control of the surgical process from start to finish, including the patient experience, infection control protocols, and schedule timelines and flexibility.