Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes less than 15 minutes to perform using only light sedation for relaxation.
Most patients experience no pain and have a rapid recovery. Our approach involves advanced technology to improve your vision and gets you back to enjoying your normal activities as quickly as possible.
What is Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery?
Refractive cataract surgery is a custom cataract removal procedure offered at Triangle Eye Consultants. Traditional cataract surgery has always involved replacing the cloudy lens, or cataract with an artificial lens through a small incision made in the cornea.
Refractive technology allows the surgeon to plan and perform cataract surgery with high precision utilizing advanced laser methodology. Laser-assisted cataract surgery has several advances over traditional cataract surgery, including ability to manage astigmatism for optimal visual outcomes and additional precision for incision creation and energy reduction.
Understanding Cataract Surgery Technology
Cataracts, Astigmatism & Presbyopia
Types of Lenses
Monofocal Lenses
When considering cataract surgery, it is important to understand your lens implant options, so you can choose a lens that best matches your lifestyle. Monofocal lens implants focus at one main point (single vision) and that point can be set at distance or near. If not electing Refractive cataract surgery, you will likely need to wear glasses for distance and near tasks. If choosing Refractive cataract surgery, this lens may be used in combination with other technology, such as the femtosecond laser, to set your vision to be excellent for distance.
Reading glasses or bifocals are necessary to give you the best possible near vision with this option. Our standard monofocal lenses are the most advanced in their category, designed for distance and improving image quality.
Toric Lens for High Astigmatism Correction
Astigmatism can be a significant cause of blurred vision. For patients with high levels of astigmatism we offer the Toric lens to achieved optimal correction of the astigmatism that is creating blur. For patients choosing this option, the lens is typically used in conjunction with the femtosecond laser, and your vision will be set for distance and reading glasses will be necessary for near and intermediate work.
Trifocal Lenses
The AcrySof IQ PanOptix® Trifocal IOL is the first and only FDA-approved trifocal lens implant. This exciting new lens technology offers an exceptional combination of near, intermediate, and distance vision for patients with active lifestyles. The range of vision offered by the PanOptix® trifocal lens substantially reduces the need for glasses after cataract surgery. The PanOptix® trifocal lens was developed using ENLIGHTEN® Optical Technology, which optimizes intermediate vision without compromising the quality of near and distance vision. This unique innovation in lens technology offers patients a wide range of vision in one lens. In addition, the PanOptix® lens is offered as a spherical lens or toric lens, offering another exciting lens option to patients with astigmatism. Based on the FDA study, over 99% of patients who receive the PanOptix® lens would choose the same lens again. This level of patient satisfaction with the PanOptix® lens illustrates the value this technology has brought to patients.