If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with cataracts, you should know that this is a common condition and treatment options are available. Just because someone has cataracts does not mean they will lose vision or suffer long term.

Cataracts are a disease of the eye that results in the clouding of the lens of the eyeball, which is located directly behind the pupil. This lens acts as a “window” for your vision. Cataracts prevent clear images from appearing on the eye’s retina; causing mild, moderate, even severe blurred vision.

Typically an eye disorder associated with aging (over half of the people in America over age 80 have either had a cataract or cataract surgery), cataracts generally occur later in life as the lens structure within the human eye changes and gets older. In diabetic patients or patients with more exposure to UV light over the years, cataracts can onset at a much earlier age.

Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery is now a reality thanks to the pioneering work of Dr. Stephen Slade and his partner Dr. Richard Baker. Dr. Dobson works very closely with Drs. Slade and Baker. On February 26, 2010, Dr. Slade performed the first cataract surgery in the United States using a femtosecond laser. LenSx Lasers, Inc. received the first laser clearance for cataract surgery by the FDA and selected Dr. Slade to perform the first procedure. Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery uses the femtosecond laser to do many of the steps currently performed by hand, and is designed to provide a greater level of precision and safety to modern cataract surgery.

Watch a quick video on Laser Cataract Surgery:

“I have been involved in many new technology introductions, and I know from these past experiences that Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery, will be widely accepted by surgeons and demanded by patients all over the world,” said Dr. Slade after the procedure. “This is the cataract surgery that I would want for my friends, my family and myself.”

If you decide to upgrade the basic laser cataract surgery to laser cataract surgery, Dr. Dobson co-manages patient care with Dr. Stephen Slade locally. The surgery itself is performed in Slade & Bakers “state-of-the-art” surgical center, utilizing only the most advanced technology, but Dr. Dobson performs postoperative visits locally.

Intraocular lenses (IOL) are implantable lenses that are inserted into the eye during cataract surgery. These lenses are made of plastic or silicone materials and placed permanently in the eye after removal of the eye’s natural lens. Intraocular lenses may be either monofocal or multifocal. Monofocal lenses have a single zone of clear focus, usually set for excellent distance vision, but require the use of reading glasses for near tasks, like reading or sewing. Multifocal lenses have several zones of clear vision and allow for both distance and near vision correction.

At Dr. Belinda Dobson, we know that living life to the fullest means being able to see your world clearly. As we age, our ability to maintain focus begins to decrease and our normal lens becomes cloudy and opaque. We offer premium lens implant options for after cataract surgery or before cataract development with a procedure known as Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE).

One of the most exciting advances in premium lens implant options is the Crystalens™. If you are having trouble seeing the golf ball after a long drive or simply having trouble reading, perhaps you should discuss your options with your ophthalmologist to determine if a premium lens could help you see your world in full clarity. Certain qualified patients over the age of 50 who are myopic or hyperopic can receive Crystalens™ as part of a clear lens exchange procedure also called refractive lens exchange. Crystalens™ provides the opportunity for someone to live your life without being dependant on glasses or contact lenses. If you are interested in finding out if you are a candidate please feel free to start the process by completing our self-evaluation test.

We are often asked if cataract surgery can “fix” astigmatism. The answer is absolutely! Many options are available for this type of correction. With Toric IOL - AcrySof® Toric / Astigmatic Premium Lens Implants, you can think of cataract surgery as refractive surgery as well. If you are seeking a cataract surgery expert and have astigmatism please feel free to consult with Dr. Belinda Dobson at Eye Care Center. There are NEW options available for patients that have astigmatism and need an IOL for after cataract removal. The AcrySof® Toric IOLs are artificial lenses which are ideal for individuals who have cataracts and also suffer from astigmatism. This lens is manufactured by Alcon Technologies a widely known and respected producer of intraocular implants.