Trust your cataract treatment to the professionals with over 1,000 completed surgeries in the Upstate every year.
What is a cataract?
We live most of our lives with clear eye lenses that enable clear vision. As your eye begins to age, natural proteins in your eye begin to clump together causing a clouding of the crystalline lens. This is a cataract.
Cataracts gradually prevent light from reaching your retina — the back layer of your eye that processes images to send to the brain. When this occurs, the light that enters your eyes becomes scattered and distorted, resulting in gradual loss of vision.
If not properly treated with surgery, cataracts can lead to severe vision loss.
People with cataracts can find their vision for reading, watching TV, and driving affected. As a result, many people withdraw from normal social and business activities.
Cataract extraction is a short, outpatient procedure. A cataract surgeon begins with a small incision to remove the clouded lens with the help of ultrasound. Then, the lens is replaced with a new intraocular lens. There are usually no sutures and very little downtime to fully recover. The patient can resume normal activities within days.
You may not realize you have a cataract because it does not significantly affect your vision, but if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor to discuss the best treatment options.
Once your cloudy lens is removed, a new intraocular lens (IOL) will be gently inserted into your eye. In the past, a monofocal IOL was the only option for vision improvement. Although these lenses are still available, many patients opt for lenses that can actually restore youthful vision — perhaps even eliminate the need for reading glasses.
Selecting the right type of lens implant is very important for your improved vision. Special eye measurements will provide important information for your cataract surgeon to determine implant power.
Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove the clouded lens of the eye, known as a cataract, and replace it with a clear artificial lens. This surgery is one of the most common and effective procedures for restoring vision.
If cataracts are affecting your daily activities, such as reading, driving, or recognizing faces, and your vision can’t be improved with glasses or contact lenses, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery. A comprehensive eye exam will determine if surgery is right for you.
Cataract surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that takes about 10-20 minutes per eye. However, you should plan for 2-3 hours at the surgical center to allow for preparation and recovery.
No, cataract surgery is not painful. Local anesthesia in the form of eye drops or an injection is used to help numb the eye. You may feel some pressure and other touching during the procedure, but typically no significant pain. Afterward, some patients experience varying degrees of discomfort or irritation, which usually resolves within a few days.
Most patients notice improved vision within the first few days, but full recovery can take a few weeks. You should avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities, getting water in/around the eye, and rubbing your eye during this period, but can return to most normal activities within a day or two. Your doctor will provide detailed instructions for post-surgery care.
While cataract surgery is generally safe and one of the most successful surgeries in modern medicine, complications can occur, including infection, swelling, increased intraocular pressure, and retinal detachment. These risks are rare, and most patients experience significant improvements in vision with minimal issues.
This depends on factors specific to each individual patient and even to each eye, such as level of astigmatism and presence of any other eye conditions. Before surgery, expectations and targets for each individual will be discussed and a plan developed. Your specific vision needs will determine the type of intraocular lens used. In some cases, a lens requiring extra out of pocket expense may be needed to limit the need for glasses after surgery.
Typically, cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, with a few weeks between procedures to allow for recovery and to assess the results before proceeding with the second eye.
All of our doctors are trained to recognize and treat cataract issues. However, once surgery is needed, our doctors will often refer to one of our partners who is trained in cataract surgery. Our cataract surgeons include Dr. Shelley, Dr. Culclasure, Dr. Pariyadath, and Dr. Bruce.
Our modern, efficient facilities include four offices in Greenville, Simpsonville, and Easley. Each offers one-stop convenience for examinations, eyewear selection, purchase, and fittings.
