Cataract Surgical Procedures

Cataracts

When the eye’s naturally clear lens becomes clouded, it’s called a cataract. Most cataracts are the result of the natural process of aging. Others may be present at birth or develop as a result of physical, drug, or chemical injury. Cataract surgery, one of the most common operations performed in America, clears up the cloudiness.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a painless, cloudy area in the lens of the eye. The lens is enclosed in a lining called the lens capsule. Cataract surgery separates the cataract from the lens capsule. In most cases, the lens will be replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). If an IOL cannot be used, contact lenses or eyeglasses must be worn to compensate for the lack of a natural lens. A Comprehensive Eye Exam and testing will have to be performed by Dr. Richard Jolly before cataract surgery can be scheduled.

Modern phacoemulsification techniques use ultrasonic energy and a little suction to totally remove the cloudy lens by means of a tiny clear corneal incision. The design of the surgeon’s dovetail incision permitted the angled edges of the cornea to fit together perfectly to seal the eye without the need for sutures. At the end of the procedure the surgeon tests to make sure the self-sealing incision in intact and that no fluid is leaking from the eye.

Phacoemulsification and standard extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) are outpatient surgical methods that remove the cataract as well as the front portion of the lens capsule (anterior capsule). The back of the lens capsule (posterior capsule) is left inside the eye to keep the vitreous gel in the back of the eye from oozing forward through the pupil and causing problems. The posterior capsule also supports the IOL and helps keep it in the proper position.

Phacoemulsification (small-incision surgery) the most common type of cataract surgery. It is used more often than standard ECCE, even though they are similar procedures.

Standard and Premium Intra Ocular Lenses are available:

TECNIS® Toric IOL

The TECNIS® Toric 1-piece posterior chamber lenses are indicated for the visual correction of aphakia and pre-existing corneal astigmatism of one diopter or greater in adult patients with or without presbyopia in whom a cataractous lens has been removed by phacoemulsification and who desire improved uncorrected distance vision, reduction in residual refractive cylinder, and increased spectacle independence for distance vision. The device is intended to be placed in the capsular bag.

Tecnis MultiFocal IOL

TECNIS® Multifocal intraocular lenses are indicated for primary implantation for the visual correction of aphakia in adult patients with and without presbyopia in whom a cataractous lens has been removed by phacoemulsification and who desire near, intermediate, and distance vision with increased spectacle independence. The intraocular lenses are intended to be placed in the capsular bag.

AcrySof® IQ PanOptix®

The AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is a type of multifocal IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. In addition, the center of the AcrySof® IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL allows for better near (reading) vision and intermediate (computer work) vision versus what a monofocal lens would provide.

AcrySof® IQ Vivity™

The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL is a type of IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL provides clear distance vision (e.g., for watching children playing in the backyard). In addition, the AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL allows for better intermediate (working on a computer, applying makeup or shaving) and some near (reading, knitting) vision compared to what a monofocal IOL would provide. The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL is not a multifocal IOL, as it uses a new Wavefront-Shaping technology to provide the broader range of vision.

Where is Cataract Surgery Preformed

We have two locations that we currently perform surgery;

North Texas Medical Center located in Gainesville, TX

Texas Health Surgery Center located in Denton, TX