Cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgeries in the United States in terms of numbers of happy patients afterward. If it’s so common, then it shouldn’t matter where to go for the surgery, right? Wrong.
There are several components to the cataract surgery, and many surgeons – even if they do a lot of cataract surgeries – do not have expertise in some of them.
Successful cataract surgery as defined by Medicare and insurance consists of removing the cataract and inserting a new intraocular lens (IOL). That’s it, because Medicare and insurance are concerned with the diagnosis of a cataract. If you notice, there is no mention of exactly how sharp the vision is and how much visual range someone has afterward.
In order to see our best, these are two important issues to consider that are left out:
Range of Vision
A healthy, young eye with good vision can see both near and far. If the goal of your cataract surgery is to capture as much of the visual world as possible in focus, then you should see a surgeon with specific expertise in advanced intraocular lens (IOL) technology.
Dr. Walton is an expert consultant and clinical trial surgeon for many lens companies, and many of these companies ask Dr. Walton to teach other surgeons how best to use the IOLs. Many surgeons only use the basic, single focus lenses that Medicare and insurance cover. While the basic lenses have excellent clarity, they limit the range of vision an eye will be able to see without bifocal or trifocal glasses, contacts, or monovision. Monovision means that one eye is nearsighted while the other is in focus at distance. Some people’s brains can tolerate monovision, while others’ brains cannot due to strain and depth perception issues.
Sharpness of Vision Through Astigmatism Correction
Some people have never needed astigmatism correction in the past, but will at the time of or after cataract surgery. This is because removing the natural lens changes the overall optics of the eye. There are many examples in which people’s natural lens offsets or negates built-in astigmatism from the cornea, or windshield of the eye. Then, when the natural lens or cataract is removed, the total astigmatism is now unbalanced, making the vision blurry. This is typically better shown in your various measurement pictures, which Dr. Walton will review at your cataract evaluation. Most people who have had astigmatism correction in their glasses or contacts in the past will also need it at cataract surgery to see their best. Without astigmatism correction, the eyes will not see their best and will be more dependent on glasses or contacts.
Dr. Walton at Bennett Walton Vision is not only a cataract surgeon. He is also a refractive surgeon, which means he has additional training and experience in achieving targeted visual results for our LASIK, EVO ICL, Custom Lens Replacement (CLR) and Laser Cataract Surgery patients. With over a decade of experience prior to founding Bennett Walton Vision, he is passionate about getting as much vision for every patient as their eyes can achieve.
Call or text us now at 713-893-2020 to make your appointment, or contact us below.
