Cataracts are a significant cause of senior eye problems including cloudy, blurry vision loss and glare problems among people in their 50’s and 60’s. More than 20 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. For many patients, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.
If you are developing a cataract or already have cataracts you may experience symptoms such as a clouding or blurring of your vision and perhaps feel that you might need a change of eyeglasses. You may notice that it is not as easy to see well and comfortably in dim illumination, such as for night driving. You may notice that colors look faded and you may be bothered by glare, haloes, light sensitivity and a continuing decrease in your vision. These are the visual symptoms that are common for those patients whose crystalline lens has clouded and formed a cataract. If you are experiencing one of more of these symptoms please be sure to let us know at your eye exam.
During cataract surgery the cataract is removed replaced with a clear permanent lens implant (IOL) in order to correct your vision. Among seniors and “baby boomers,” cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective, predictable and common operations performed the U.S with more than 2.5 million people having cataract surgery & lens implants each year. Typically the cataract operation and lens implant surgery is performed on an outpatient basis using “eyedrop anesthesia” which offers comfortable and convenient same-day surgery. Please note, cataract surgeries are not performed by Dr. Scaramuzzi or at Holden Eye Care but we would refer you to the appropriate specialist when needed.
The procedure begins with a few sets of drops being placed in your eye to dilate your pupil followed by anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eye so that you will feel little if any discomfort during your cataract surgery. In addition you will be given medicines to help you relax if desired. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes and is not uncomfortable. Cataract surgery is a technically complex type of eye surgery requiring tremendous surgical skill to perform a number of steps that are currently performed manually but for many patients can be performed with a specialized laser to provide a safe, more precise and gentler surgical experience.
There are many types of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) that can be used to correct your vision and provide you with the best results to match your lifestyle and activities after cataract surgery. These different types of lens implants include Monofocal Lens Implants which are the most basic type of lens implant and only correct distance vision and not arms-length or close reading vision, toric lens implants for those patients with astigmatism, and presbyopia correcting multifocal lens and extended depth of focus implants which correct distance vision, as well as a range of arms-length vision and close reading vision for most patients. Presbyopia correcting lens implants are a good choice for those who wish to reduce their dependence on eyeglasses, bifocals and reading glasses after cataract surgery.
Holden Eye Care
1355 Main St
Holden, MA 01520
Phone: (508) 829-6731
Fax: (508) 829-6732
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