Cataract Removal Surgery Doctors in Pennsylvania

Cataracts actually begin to form in your forties. They develop slowly, but by age 75, many people will have a cataract significant enough to interfere with your vision and daily tasks. Cataracts are not a disease. This is a common misconception. A cataract formation is actually a natural part of aging caused by a natural protein breakdown in the eye. This breakdown occurs with age and surgery is eventually required to correct the problem. The best cataract removal surgery doctors in Pennsylvania are at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania, and we have several locations to serve you.

Cataract surgery

Cataracts are caused by eye proteins that break down and stick onto the lens. Because the lens is clouded, light is scattered. Instead of focused light, the cataract scatters the light and vision is affected because light cannot properly focus, making everyday tasks like reading and watching television difficult.

Cataract surgery is safe and effective and is the only remedy for cataracts. The surgery involves removal of the protein-clouded lens, then the surgeon replaces that lens with an artificial implant called an intraocular lens (IOL). Surgery may not be necessary at first. In fact, cataracts progress quite slowly, so it can be years before surgery is needed.

Most of our patients tell us that night driving becomes more difficult when the cataract gets significant and that usually means it is time for surgery at that point. They may also experience increased problematic glare, especially in bright sunlight. Annual eye exams are important for us to monitor cataract growth. Our team may make more frequent adjustments to your glasses or contact lens prescription to adjust for the changing catarct. When the cataract is significant enough to interfere with daily activities, surgery will be recommended.

Cataract stages

There are four stages of cataract growth. In the first or beginning stage, the lens is predominantly clear but proteins have started to deposit. In the second stage, an immature cataract forms, meaning the proteins have begun to clump together. Patients report that glare, particularly while driving, becomes an issue at this stage.

In the third stage, a mature cataract forms over most of the lens. The cataract has a milky white appearance and vision has become muted. In the final stage, the mature cataract becomes even denser, hardening into what we term a hypermature cataract. Vision is significantly impaired and you can likely see the cataract while looking in the mirror. A hypermature cataract is much more difficult to remove surgically, so we recommend surgery before this, when the cataract is still at the mature stage.

About the surgery

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure done in our offices. Our surgeons use a surgical technique called bladeless laser-assisted surgery to create a lens incision. The surgeon then softens and breaks up the cataract before removing it from the eye.

A modern state-of-the-art IOL is then implanted. This can be either a clear lens or a lens that has a vision correction prescription. IOL technology has become very advanced, and nearly any type of vision problem can be corrected. For instance, we routinely correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism during cataract surgery.

Trust your eyes to us

Trust your eyes to the experienced and knowledgeable cataract removal surgery doctors in Pennsylvania at Eye Consultants of Pennsylvania. Our board-certified and fellowship-trained surgeons are highly regarded throughout the state. Make your appointment today. We want you to be our next new patient, so give us a call to schedule your cataract consultation today.