Chao Vision Institute - Irvine, CA- Cataracts

Cornea

Board-Certified Fellowship-Trained Ophthalmologist
Lawrence C. Chao, M.D.

Cataracts | Age-Related Clouding of the Natural Lens

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This natural crystalline lens, located behind the iris, works just like the lens of a camera - focusing light images on the retina, sending images to the brain. A result of the natural aging process, the natural lens can become clouded, not allowing light and images to reach the retina, making vision cloudy or blurry.

A cataract is not a "film" over the eye, and neither diet nor lasers will make it go away. Rather, a cataract is like a scratched windshield that needs to be replaced. Dr. Chao is a cataract surgeon offering cataract surgery in Irvine, CA.

A cataract can be the reason sharp objects become blurred, bright colors become dull, or seeing at night is more difficult. It may be why eye glasses no longer provide clear vision. Vision with cataracts has been described as seeing life through cloudy film.

After cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation, objects you couldn't see clearly can be bright, clear, and vivid again. For many people, they haven't seen life so clearly in years.

Cataract Surgery | Give Focus to Clear Vision

Cataract eye surgery is the only way to remove a cataract and restore clear vision. At Chao Vision Institute, we schedule cataract eye surgery for one eye at a time. Cataract eye surgery is an outpatient procedure performed at an Ambulatory Surgery Center. Patients usually spend just a few hours at the surgery center. Your eyes will be numbed with topical anesthetic eye drops and eye gels (injections or shots usually are not needed). An anesthesiologist or anesthetist is always present to provide constant monitoring and additional medications if needed.

Millions of people every year undergo cataract surgery, one of the safest procedures. In cataract removal, the surgeon makes a tiny micro incision (less than 3 mm) in the cornea. Through an ultrafast ultrasound process called phacoemulsification or phaco, the cloudy lens is safely broken into pieces and removed. After the natural lens is removed, the surgeon implants an artificial lens, an intraocular lens, that will do the work of the natural crystalline lens. The incision is self-sealing and requires no stitch.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) or Natural Lens Exchange

Select patients may chose to lessen or eliminate their dependence on glasses or contact lenses by removing the natural lens prior to cataracts maturing. This is an elective procedure which must be given great consideration with the help of your surgeon.

Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) Implantation

All intraocular lens implants are measured for your specific eye and ordered for your cataract surgery. Many considerations are placed into the choice of IOL and this should be an important discussion which should take place between you and your eye surgeon.

Aside from the basic monofocal or single vision IOL, custom IOLs are available as an upgraded option to correct for presbyopia, the need for reading glasses due to age, or astigmatism. Patients choosing to upgrade to a custom IOL (also called lifestyle IOLs and premium IOLs) can benefit from not only clear vision as a result of cataract eye surgery but fuller range of vision as a result of a custom IOL implant such as the Crystalens, ReStor, or Toric IOL.

Lens Power Calculation

Whether one chooses the basic Medicare-covered or upgrades to a custom intraocular lens, the lens power must be measured very carefully prior to surgery. IOL Master measurements are used to provide the surgeon with the greatest accuracy possible. Despite the best efforts in lens power calculations, if lens power result is not ideal then corrective lens or further surgical intervention may be needed. For patients with previous refractive surgery such as radial keratonomy, LASIK or PRK, your lens power calculations will be adjusted accordingly.

YAG Capsulotomy

After cataract surgery, your vision should be clearer. Sometimes the capsule that holds the new lens become cloudy. This may happen months or years after cataract surgery. If this occurs, your eye surgeon can perform a procedure called Yag Capsulotomy, using a laser to to make a small opening in the capsule. The YAG capsulotomy procedure can be performed during an office visit.

Risk and Benefits

As with any surgical procedure, there are risks. You and your eye doctor should consider the potential risk and benefits, and determine if cataract surgery with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is right for you.

Chao Vision Institute specializes in cataract, cornea, LASIK, and refractive vision correction, providing patients with university-level expertise and personalized care. See Dr. Lawrence Chao for a consult or second opinion if you are considering eye surgery, including Crystalens ™, ReStor™, Visian ICL™, and LASIK surgery in Irvine, Orange County, or the Los Angeles , Riverside, and San Diego areas.

Call us at 888.OCEYEMD in our Irvine, Orange County office in the Los Angeles area to make an appointment or get more information.

Experience CVI
Testimonials and Patient Reviews

"Dr. Chao...performed the cataract removal brilliantly.. I can see long distance quite clearly now, and only need glasses to read." - Marjorie E, Irvine, CA.

"I enjoy concerts and theatre more. I can see everything so much more clearly and I'm sure my driving has improved!" - CVI Patient, Newport Coast, CA

"Simply said, the professionalism and the high standards of Dr. Chao and the Chao Institute Staff exceeded my expectations." - Ray P, Retired/ Current Author, Irvine, CA.

"Wonderful - Dr. Chao is so gentle, explains eveyrthing, very kind, and caring. He also has a wonderful staff, ... I can see so much of life I could not see before." - Patricia C, Homemaker.

More CVI Testimonials

Are My Cataracts Ripe?

Cataracts are not painful. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, consult a cataract eye surgeon to get a cataract evaluation.

Blurry or foggy vision
Details are hard to see
Colors seem dull or muted
Eye glasses are no longer working
Light seem overly bright or glaring
More light is needed for reading
Decreased night vision
Halos around lights.

Cataracts do not have to be "ripe" or matured before they can be removed. Often, cataract removal can be performed as soon as they interfere with your quality of life.

If you are experiencing vision changes, consult Dr. Chao to see if cataract surgery is right for you.

You'll learn about risk and benefits of cataract surgery as well as the latest in upgradable Custom intraocular lens (IOLs) options including Crystalens HD, ReStor, and Toric IOL.