CATARACT Surgery & REFRACTIVE LENS EXCHANGE
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(949) 679-2426
Cataract Surgery Overview
The treatment for cataracts involves removing the clouded natural crystalline lens and inserting an artificial lens commonly referred as an intraocular lens or IOL to replace the natural lens.
Millions of people every year undergo cataract surgery, one of the safest and most successful outpatient procedures performed in the world today. After cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation, objects you couldn't see clearly can be bright, clear, and vivid again.
Laser Cataract Surgery
Laser Cataract Surgery utilizes advanced technology to enable the surgeon to perform several of the most critical steps of cataract surgery and tailor the procedure to your eye's unique characteristics.
Traditionally, the treatment for cataracts involve removing the clouded lens (cataract) manually, using handheld blades. Laser cataract surgery, uses a beam of laser-generated light to create blade-free corneal incisions.
Laser-assisted corneal incisions also require only topical anesthetics, promoting faster healing and visual recovery-without the need for stitches.
Phacoemulsification | Small Incision Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery by phacoemulsification uses ultrasound waves to break up the cataract lens for removal. The very back of your lens, called the lens capsule, is left intact to put the artificial lens or intraocular lens (IOL) in. Stitches may be used to close the tiny incision in your cornea once the procedure is done.
Refractive Lens Exchange
Like cataract surgery with custom IOL implantation, refractive lens exchange (RLE) is a refractive surgery option for those who may want to lessen their dependence on reading glasses.
Phacoemulsification | Small Incision Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery by phacoemulsification uses ultrasound waves to break up the cataract lens for removal. The very back of your lens, called the lens capsule, is left intact to put the artificial lens or intraocular lens (IOL) in. Stitches may be used to close the tiny incision in your cornea once the procedure is done.
Anesthesia & the ASC
Cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange (RLE) procedures at Chao Vision Institute is performed at an Ambulatory Surgery Center with local anesthesia i.e. topical eye drop with an anesthesiologist present in the operating room during surgery.
Depending on your level of anxiety you may opt for no sedation or light I.V. sedation so you'll be awake and able to follow verbal instructions during surgery. If you have any questions, please ask your anesthesiologist when you meet in the preoperative area.