At UMC, our highly experienced ophthalmologists offer state-of-the-art technology and surgical techniques to treat your cataract, including no-stitch, no-shot, no-patch cataract surgery.
For further information, please contact UMC Ophthalmology at (601) 815-3248.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY
What is a Cataract?
How are Cataracts Removed?
Are Stitches (Sutures) Required for Cataract Surgery?
What Results Can I Expect?
What is the best lens for implanting? Acrylic or silicone? What problems are
associated with each?
I have heard a lot about Topical or "No-Needle, No-Patch" Anesthesia
for cataracts. What does this really mean?
Advantages of Topical Anesthesia
Is "No-Stitch" Cataract Surgery a possibility?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear, transparent lens of the eye.
A cataract is not a tumor or growth of new tissue over or in the eye. Rather
it is a fogging and loss of clarity of the lens itself. The lens is located
in the eye just behind the iris and the pupil. Light entering the eye is focused
by the lens onto the retina. When a cataract forms, the lens is no longer able
to focus the light clearly. Therefore, your vision becomes cloudy. An early
cataract may cause few problems with vision. If the cataract gets worse, sight
may be partially or completely lost until the cataract is removed.
Although cataracts result from many conditions, the most frequent cause is
the natural aging process. Other causes may include eye trauma, chronic eye
disease, and other medical conditions such as diabetes.
Cataracts can take from a few months to several years to develop. Certain medications
can accelerate the development of cataracts. Sometimes, the cataract stops
developing in its early stages and vision is only slightly decreased. But if
it continues to develop, vision is impaired, and surgical treatment is required.
Surgery to remove the diseased lens
is the only effective treatment for cataract. Neither diet nor medications
have been shown to stop cataract formation. In
a cataract operation, the eye’s natural lens is removed. Vision can then
be obtained in the form of special eyeglasses with thick lenses or contact
lenses. Most commonly, it is in the form of an intraocular lens, which when
implanted, permanently replaces the old lens.
The artificial lens is made of plastic and is usually inserted at the same
time the cataract is removed. Depending on the individual case, the lens is
placed directly behind or, less frequently, in front of the iris, the "colored" part
of the eye.
Once the surgeon has determined that intraocular lens replacement is appropriate,
the patient undergoes a special preoperative evaluation. Like contact lenses
and "prescription" eyeglasses, intraocular lenses differ in terms
of refractive power, and the evaluation will determine the proper lens power
of the implant. The length of the eye is measured and the curvature of the
cornea is evaluated. Calculation of the implant power is based on this information.
The intraocular lens, which cannot change shape, is usually calculated to maximize
a patient’s distance vision so that the patient can see well enough to
do most things without glasses. Reading glasses must still be worn to see up
close up and far away. In most cases, patients notice significant improvements
in vision resulting from intraocular lens implantation.
Are Stitches (Sutures) Required for Cataract Surgery?
One of the new advances in cataract surgery is the ability to remove the cataract and implant an intraocular lens through a small incision. New techniques for making incisions have, in most instances, eliminated the need for sutures following cataract surgery. For some individuals, other types of incisions, ones that require sutures, will provide a better visual result for them. We select the type of incision that is best suited for each patient’s condition.
Over 90% of people achieve a vision better than 20/30 after cataract surgery,
as long as no other eye diseases are present (for example, a retinal condition).
Reading glasses are required after cataract surgery (in many cases they were
also required before surgery).
The key to living with cataracts is knowing when it’s time not to live
with them anymore! Usually, this happens when your normal lifestyle – reading
the morning paper, driving to the grocery store or seeing the expression on
the face of a child or grandchild –is jeopardized by impaired vision.
Cataract surgery is just that - surgery –and we believe that the right
time to have such surgery is an individual, personal choice that depends on
one’s individual lifestyle requirements.
What is the best lens for implanting? Acrylic or silicone? What problems are associated with each?
There are three materials presently used for intraocular lenses: polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), silicone, and acrylic, with other materials currently under development. Each has advantages and disadvantages. PMMA must be implanted through a larger incision than the other materials. Silicone and acrylic can each be placed through a smaller incision than PMMA. Silicone lenses are usually avoided in diabetic patients and patients with severe retinal problems. Acrylic affords a very controlled unfolding of the lens. Today's intraocular lenses are very safe and effective. We use the most advanced lens material available and we tailor the choice of lens material to the needs of each individual patient.
I have heard a lot about Topical or "No-Needle, No-Patch" Anesthesia for cataracts. What does this really mean?
Previously, cataract surgery was performed under general anesthesia, requiring
patients to stay in the hospital. Later advances used a local anesthesia injected
behind the eyeball. Although this procedure allows the patients to return home
the same day and is safer than general anesthesia, it is not entirely free
of risk.
Today, with recent advances in cataract surgery anesthesia, topical anesthetics
are often used. The eye is anesthetized using eye drops rather than through
an injection of anesthetic under the eyeball with a needle. Avoiding the needle
reduces the risk of bleeding, bruising and inadvertent damage from the needle
itself. Even when topical anesthetics are used, patients may be given an IV
sedative to help them relax and keep them comfortable during the procedure.
Advantages of Topical Anesthesia
Faster with greater patient comfort.
No patient anxiety over receiving a deep injection next to the eyeball.
Visual recovery begins immediately since the eye muscles are not paralyzed
as with
local block anesthesia.
Eliminates potential complications such as perforation of the eye, hemorrhage,
or
damage to the optic nerve.
Reduces the chance for a relatively dangerous anesthesia-induced allergic reaction.
Eliminates the potential for postoperative headaches caused by conventional
blocks.
Eliminates the need for an eye patch.
Is "No-Stitch" Cataract Surgery a possibility?
"No stitch" cataract surgery is indeed an option for many patients.
The potential benefits of "No-stitch" cataract surgery include:
No stitches - the tiny incision seals by itself.
Clear vision returns almost immediately.
less chance of surgically-induced astigmatism.
little, if any, discomfort.
Recent advances in cataract surgery now allow many patients to have their
cataract removed without the need for stitches, needles or eye patches. Overall,
the vast majority of patients do well with this surgical approach to cataract
excision; nevertheless, not all patients are good candidates for the procedure.
Your UMC surgeons will carefully review your overall health record and your
vision needs to make the determination of which surgical approach is best suited
for you.