Cataract Surgery and Premium Intraocular Lenses FAQs
- What are cataracts and how are they treated?
- What are premium intraocular lenses?
- Can astigmatism be corrected?
- Does insurance cover these premium lenses or astigmatism correction?
- Do you offer financing?
- Why should I choose Dr. Sanders for my cataract surgery?
What are cataracts and how are they treated?
A cataract is an opacity or clouding of the natural lens of the eye. It causes a decrease in vision, but early symptoms may be a change in your eyeglass prescription, glare on sunny days, halos, or even double vision. Cataracts develop normally as we age, but occasionally cataracts occur in younger individuals in association with diabetes, trauma, certain medications, other for other reasons. Dr. Sanders removes cataracts using the latest technique available. This outpatient procedure is performed using phacoemulsification, which is an ultrasonic probe which dissolves the cataract through very tiny incisions which seal without stitches. Patients are given mild sedation through an IV and eyedrops to numb the eye. Most patients experience no pain. After the cataract is removed, an intraocular lens is placed in the eye. This artificial lens focuses light coming into the eye so that patients do not need thick glasses after surgery. Following surgery, patients use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops for about 4 weeks and they should avoid strenuous activity for one week. Most patients can go back to a desk job the day after surgery. As with any surgery, complications and side effects can occur. Fortunately, the rate of complications from cataract surgery is very low. Dr. Sanders will discuss possible complications and side effects with you at the time of your consultation.
What are premium intraocular lenses?
Premium intraocular lenses are designed to give greater freedom from glasses than standard lenses. There are currently 3 of these lenses available now. Below is a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of each lens. When considering a premium lens, remember that you may still need glasses for some activities. There is no one lens which is the best. Dr. Sanders will make a recommendation for you based on your own personal vision needs.
Crystalens: The Crystalens is the only accommodating intraocular lens; that is, it actually flexes inside your eye to provide near vision. It gives excellent vision in the far and mid range. This lens can be used in patients with previous refractive surgery and has less glaro and halos than the other lenses.
ReZoom: The ReZoom lens is a multifocal lens which also gives excellent far and mid range vision. It has about a 5% incidence of glare and halos, however, slightly more patients say they never or only occasionally wear glasses.
Restor: The Restor lens is an apodized diffractive multifocal lens which give excellent far and near vision. Mid-range vision is not as good as with the other lenses. This is a good choice if close near work is important to you. It also has about a 5% incidence of glare and halos.
Can astigmatism be corrected?
Astigmatism is a condition in which the cornea is more curved in one direction than the other direction. An analogy used is that the cornea is shaped like a football instead of a basketball. Astigmatism affects vision at all distances and is not corrected with traditional cataract surgery. Fortunately we now have 2 different methods to correct astigmatism. One method is making an incision on the cornea, called a limbal relaxing incision, which has the effect of making the cornea more round. A newer technique is the insertion of a toric intraocular lens, which corrects the astigmatism. Dr. Sanders performs both these procedures and will discuss which is best for you at your consultation.
Does insurance cover these premium lenses or astigmatism correction?
Medicare and private insurance companies consider both premium lenses and astigmatism correction as elective procedures to reduce the need for glasses. Therefore, they are not covered by insurance. The cost of the cataract surgery is covered but any costs related to the premium lenses or astigmatism correction are the patient’s responsibility. Our cataract counselors will go over costs at the time of your consultation.
Do you offer financing?
We do offer financing which can make premium intraocular lenses and astigmatism correction affordable for everyone. Financing can be requested online through our website, or in the office at the time of your consultation.
Why should I choose Dr. Sanders for my cataract surgery?
Dr. Sanders has been performing cataract surgery since 1990 and has performed thousands of procedures. In fact, he teaches cataract surgery to residents at Baylor College of Medicine. At Diagnostic Eye Center, Dr. Sanders and his experienced staff will make sure that all your questions are answered and that your cataract surgery will be a rewarding and life-changing experience.
