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By: Natalie Smith, Ophthalmologist

Cataracts. By: Natalie Smith, Ophthalmologist. What are cataracts?. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye that can impair vision. There are 4 types of cataracts: Age related cataracts : This type develops as a result of aging.

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By: Natalie Smith, Ophthalmologist

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  1. Cataracts By: Natalie Smith, Ophthalmologist

  2. What are cataracts? • Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye that can impair vision. • There are 4 types of cataracts: • Age related cataracts: This type develops as a result of aging. • Congenital cataracts: Babies are sometimes born with cataracts as a result of an infection, injury, or poor development before birth, or they may develop during childhood. • Secondary cataracts: These develop as a result of other medical conditions, like diabetes, or exposure to toxic substances, certain drugs, ultraviolet light, or radiation. • Traumatic cataracts: This type forms after injury to the eye.

  3. Surgery Options There are two types of cataract surgery: • Phacoemulsification, or Phaco. • Extracapsular surgery.

  4. Phaco vs Extracapsular • Phacoemulsification • Two small incisions are made in the eye where the cornea meets the white of the eye. • A circular opening is created on the lens surface. • A probe is inserted into the eye. • Sound waves are used to break the cataract into small pieces. • The pieces are then removed with suction. • An intraocular lens implant may then be placed inside the lens capsule. • Extracapsular • An 8mm to 10mm incision is made in the eye where the cornea meets the white of the eye. • Another incision is made into the front portion of the lens capsule. • The lens is removed, along with any remaining lens material. • An intraocular lens implant may then be place inside the lens capsule.

  5. Cataract Surgery Benefits • Extracapsular Cataract Surgery • No sutures • Better if there are extremely hard cataracts. • Shorter surgery time. • More affordable. • Phacoemulsification Cataract Surgery • No hospitalization - Walk in, Walk out surgery • Smaller incision- hence lesser complications related to the incision size. • Lesser induced astigmatism because of smaller incision • No bandages minimal precautions • No restriction on normal activities. Can join work from next morning • Fast recovery of good vision in a matter of days. • Final spectacles at one or two weeks • Early visual rehabilitation

  6. Cataract Surgery Cost • Cataract surgery costs are generally covered by Medicare (if you are Medicare eligible) as well as by most private insurance plans, with standard replacement lenses. • However, if you prefer specialized lenses, the cataract surgery itself is covered, you just have to pay for the specialized lenses. • For multifocal or accommodative IOLs • From $1,900 to $3,000 per eye • For astigmatism-correcting toric IOLs • From $800 to $2,000 per eye Any additional questions, please ask your physician.

  7. References http://www.webmd.com/eye-health/cataracts/cataracts-surgery https://www.nei.nih.gov/health/cataract/cataract_facts.asp http://www.aurolab.com/phacobenefits.asp

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