Cataract Surgery on Long Island, NY
A cataract is clouding of the eye’s natural crystalline lens that prevents light from properly focusing on the retina, thus resulting in distorted vision. Although cataracts may be caused by a number of factors, such as eye injury or certain drugs, most often cataracts develop and progress with age. According to the latest statistics compiled by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, cataracts affect nearly 22 million Americans age 40 or older. By age 80, more than half of all Americans have cataracts, often in both eyes. At Island Eye Surgicenter we are focused on helping and improving Long Island patients with cataracts.
Symptoms of Cataracts
Depending on the severity of the condition, individuals may experience a wide range of cataract symptoms including:
- Glare and haloes around lights
- Dull, faded, cloudy or foggy vision
- A milky white spot in the center of the eye
- Poor vision in low light environments
- Double vision
- Distorted up-close or reading vision
- Frequent changes in glasses prescription
The only permanent cure for cataracts is cataract surgery, during which the eye’s natural lens is removed and replaced with an artificial implant called an intraocular lens implant (IOL).
Types of Cataract Surgery
The attending physicians at Island Eye Surgicenter perform several advanced cataract surgery procedures, including:
Standard Cataract Surgery
Standard cataract surgery, also known as advanced, “no-stitch,” “micro-incision” cataract surgery or “phaco-cataract” surgery, is a leading procedure in the surgical treatment of cataracts. During the operation, a small, self-sealing incision is created on the surface of the eye under topical anesthesia. Next, a state-of-the-art ultrasonic probe is used to break up and suction the cataractous lens from the eye. Once this is accomplished, a folded IOL (replacement lens implant) is carefully placed in the eye through the same tiny incision. The eye is covered with a protective shield. As the name suggests, no stitches are used in the procedure. In “standard cataract surgery,” typically only distance vision is corrected and you may still need glasses for reading.
“No-stitch” cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that requires a day or two of recovery. Vision may be blurred until the eyes have fully healed, which may take anywhere from six to eight weeks. During this time, patients are closely monitored by their primary eye care physician.
Contact Us
For more information on cataract surgery, and to determine your cataract surgery candidacy, please visit a qualified cataract surgeon. If you are in need of an eye care physician, please contact our Staten Island office to find an attending eye surgeon in your area.