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June is Cataract Awareness Month
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 65 and older and the principal cause of blindness in the world. In fact, there are more cases of cataracts worldwide than there are of glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy combined.
Facts about Cataracts
- A cataract is the clouding of the natural lens of the eye, the same part of the eye responsible for focusing light and enabling you to see clear images.
- Aside from the normal aging process, additional causes for developing cataracts include: eye injury; systemic conditions such as diabetes; the use of certain medications; long-term unprotected sun exposure; smoking; and a family history of cataracts.
- Symptoms can include: blurry vision; sensitivity to light, glare; fading of colors; difficulty reading; double vision; and frequent changes in prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
- Small cataracts may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As cataracts progress, they cause limitations in the activities of daily living such as reading, driving, and watching TV.
- The condition can be treated with surgery by removing the clouded lens and replacing it with an artificial lens implant. This surgery is easily tolerated and performed at an outpatient setting.
- Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed medical procedures in the United States, with more than three million surgeries performed each year.
Your decision on where to go for cataract surgery should not be made lightly because not all cataract procedures are the same. The practice you choose should offer world-class surgeons and state-of-the-art technology. At Eye Center of Texas our cataract surgeons, Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade have years of experience, offer the safest, most-advanced cataract surgical techniques and technology that allows us to personalize a procedure that will be just right for your eyes.
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Have Glaucoma & Cataracts?
Today there is good news for patients considering cataract surgery and who have glaucoma. The FDA-approved iStent is great news for people who have both a cataract and glaucoma,” says Dr. Mark Mayo. The eye drops used to treat glaucoma can be difficult to administer and expensive. With iStent, many patients will need less medicine to control their eye pressure and some may not need prescription eye drops at all.” Studies have shown that more than 90% of patients do not comply with their ocular medication dosing regimens and nearly 50% discontinue taking their medications before 6 months. Dr. Mayo cautions that, “This can be a serious problem. When pressure in the eye is out of control, it can increase the risk for permanent vision loss. I consider iStent an important advancement in protecting against vision loss for my glaucoma patients.”
How Does iStent Work?
iStent works like the stents used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. When blood vessels get clogged, a stent creates access to the vessel flow. While a highly innovative technology, how iStent works is elegantly simple:
- If you have glaucoma, over time the eye’s natural drainage system becomes clogged
- iStent creates a permanent opening through the blockage to improve the eye’s natural outflow & spares the eye tissue often damaged in traditional surgeries
- Restoring this mechanism lowers and controls pressure within the eye
iStent is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. It is placed in your eye during cataract surgery and is so small that you won’t be able to see or feel it after the procedure is over. It is 20,000 times smaller than the lens implanted during cataract surgery. iStent is designed to create a permanent opening in your trabecular meshwork, and works continuously to improve the outflow of fluid from your eyes to help control eye pressure.
iStent Q & A:
- What causes high eye or intraocular pressure?
Your eye uses an intricate fluid outflow system to keep it balanced and healthy. At the center of this system is the trabecular meshwork. In patients with open-angle glaucoma, a blockage in the trabecular meshwork keeps the fluid in your eye from draining properly. When this happens, fluid backs up and eye pressure rises. - How does iStent lower eye pressure?
iStent is designed to create a permanent opening in your eye’s drainage system to improve the outflow of fluid from your eyes. By increasing fluid outflow, iStent lowers pressure within the eye. - How big is the stent?
It is about the size of the letter c in the word cent on a penny. In fact, it is the smallest medical device ever approved by the FDA. - Is iStent safe?
Yes. iStent is a safe glaucoma treatment and has been approved by the FDA for mild to moderate open-angle glaucoma. - Will I be able to feel or see the iStent in my eye?
No. iStent is so small you won’t be able to see or feel it after the procedure. - Does iStent hurt?
No. iStent does not hurt. You will not even know it is there. - Will I be able to stop taking my glaucoma eye drops?
In a U.S. clinical trial, iStent patients who achieved a target pressure of <21, were more likely not to need their medications than patients with cataract only surgery. It helps decrease the likelihood that a second glaucoma medication would need to be added in the future. - How much does iStent cost?
iStent is covered by Medicare and many private insurance plans.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Cataracts
Many people believe cataracts have to be “ripe” before they can be removed. This is simply not true. Cataract surgery is a routine procedure that can be performed as soon as your vision problems begin to interfere with your life.
What happens if cataracts go untreated?
Over time, the clouded areas of your lens can become larger and denser, causing your sight to become worse. This can take anywhere from a few months to many years. Eventually, though, your entire lens can cloud over and cause blindness.
Which lens will work best for me?
No single lens is right for everyone and only your doctor can determine the most appropriate option for you.
Do all lenses let you see at different distances?
No, only lenses with multiple focal points are designed to give you full range of clear vision. For instance, the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR IOL is designed to perform near, far and everything in between, so you can experience crisp vision for the most important things in your life, like reading, driving and outdoor activities.
Will they treat both eyes at the same time?
No, your surgeon will only treat one eye per procedure, allowing your eye adequate time to recover and stabilize before treating the other.
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Cataract Surgery Can Be Life Changing
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens, the part of the eye responsible for focusing light on the retina and producing clear, sharp images. Old cells in the lens die and become trapped in the sealed lens capsule, accumulating until light passing through the lens scatters, resulting in a blurry or fuzzy image. Contrast sensitivity is reduced, as if you were always trying to see in dim light.
In the past people waited until their cataract was fully “ripe” and nearly blinding before having it removed, the current recommendation is to have the surgery as soon as a cataract interferes with normal activities, including driving, watching television, climbing stairs, playing tennis, cooking and reading. In fact, the more advanced a cataract becomes, the more difficult the surgery.
The surgery to remove the cataract involves a very small self-healing incision in the cornea — less than one- eighth of an inch, or 3 millimeters, and no stitches needed — through which a tiny probe is inserted that transmits ultrasound waves to break up the cataract. The emulsified lens is then suctioned out through the probe.
The clouded lens that is removed is replaced with an individually fitted artificial lens that can result in near-perfect visual acuity — the ability to see distance. Or for those who prefer a correction of near vision for reading, an artificial lens can do that instead. For some people, even a multifocal lens can now be fitted, to improve both near and far vision.
If you or someone you know has a cataract or is need of cataract surgery and lens implants please feel free schedule a cataract evaluation at Eye Center of Texas by calling 713-797-1010.
Cataract surgery…is nothing short of amazing.
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Laser Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery has undergone a revolutionary advance – shifting from a manual technique to an ultramodern femtosecond laser procedure which can treat even the hardest of cataracts in minutes. Not since the “no-stitch” cataract procedure has the ophthalmology profession experienced such a seismic shift in eye surgery; and it’s now in Houston. On July 20 2012, Dr Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade earned the distinction of being among the first to perform the LensSx Laser Cataract procedure in the United States. With the introduction of the FDA approved LenSx Laser, the eye surgeons at Eye Center of Texas now have the ability to provide patients with computer-controlled precision as it automates some of the most challenging steps of refractive cataract surgery. The laser replaces the traditional hand-held blade to optimize all incisions for enhanced, reproducible surgical performance. The breakthrough technology provides the surgeon with real-time three dimensional visualization for true customization of your lens replacement procedure.
Recent results show that the LenSx Laser is up to 10x more precise than manual techniques for some portions of the cataract surgical procedure and improves the safety and accuracy of your cataract surgery.
The good news is that you are experiencing cataracts at a time in the evolution of cataract surgery when technological advances are making the procedure better with laser cataract surgery. Eye Center of Texas offers a range of treatment options to suit your vision goals. Your eyes are unique. Based on the distinctive anatomy of your eyes, we will work with you to help you achieve your “personal best” vision. While no two patients are the same, our doctors will evaluate your eyes to determine if you are a candidate for Laser Cataract Surgery, assess your desired vision outcome and help you decide which Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) will most likely help you achieve your vision goals.
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How Are Cataracts Treated?
When a cataract progresses and decreases vision to a point that it interferes with your lifestyle and daily activities…cataract surgery is the only effective treatment. Cataracts affect more than 22 million people over 40 years of age in the U.S. and are the leading cause of blindness among the country’s older adults. Cataract surgery can offer improved vision, and is one of the safest and most effective procedures performed today. If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it could be an indication it’s time to consider cataract surgery:
- When driving, there’s too much glare from the sun or headlights
- You are having problems seeing well enough to read, sew, watch tv or play games
- You are afraid of bumping into objects or falling down
- Your vision doesn’t improve sufficiently when wearing glasses
ECT’s cataract surgeons, Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade will perform on one eye at a time. This is done to minimize potential complications. Cataract surgery is performed in an outpatient surgical center with local anesthesia. Cataract surgery is day surgery and patients are released directly after surgery.
Eye Center of Texas offers the latest in advanced lifestyle lens implants and specialize in bladeless cataract surgery. We aim to achieve the best for every patient by working with a team of experienced doctors that will carefully analyze your eye health and visual needs.
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What is a Cataract Evaluation?
Have you ever wondered how the doctors determine if you have a cataract? At Eye Center of Texas cataracts are detected through a comprehensive cataract evaluation eye exam that may include the following tests:
- Visual Acuity: A visual acuity test measures your quality of vision at certain distances. Your doctor will ask you to read letters of various sizes from a chart. Your eyes will be tested individually and together to measure the accuracy of your eyesight at different distances. A visual acuity test is an easy, painless, and quick way to diagnosis cataracts, although more tests will be needed to make sure cataracts are the cause of your vision problems.
- Contrast Sensitivity: Contrast sensitivity testing is similar to visual acuity testing but places greater emphasis on how cataracts can decrease image contrast due to light scattering and glare caused by the cataract. Eye doctors consider contrast sensitivity testing to be a more realistic measurement of true quality of vision.
- Slit Lamp: A slit lamp is a special type of microscope that magnifies your eye so your doctor can examine the lens to determine the presence and severity of a cataract. Your doctor will ask you to place your chin on the chin rest of the slit lamp. A light will then be directed at your eye. By looking through the slit lamp, your doctor can examine the lens to determine the degree to which it is clouded.
- Pupil Dilation: Pupil dilation is a common test used in diagnosing cataracts. Clouding of the lens is not noticeable until a cataract reaches an advanced stage. When your eye is dilated, however, the pupil increases in size, offering a view of your entire lens. By thoroughly examining the lens, a doctor can determine whether or not a cataract is affecting your quality of vision.
Additional tests may be needed and cataract evaluations take between 3-4 hours.
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When Should I have Cataract Surgery?
Are cataracts interfering with your day-to-day routine? If so, it’s time to consider cataract surgery.
Cataracts are clouded areas in the lens that can develop in one or both eyes…and are primarily caused by aging. Cataract development is painless and develops slowly over time, so often people aren’t even aware of a change in vision.
Because cataracts develop over time, vision loss is gradual but can also be dangerous when performing common activities. Here are several reasons that you may want to consider having cataracts removed:
- Sun or headlight glare impairs your vision, making it difficult for you to drive safely.
- Poor vision is affecting your ability to perform normal tasks and the things you love, like golf, needlework or reading.
- Blurred vision, glare, double vision, dull color vision.
Cataract surgery is a common procedure (the total number of people who have cataracts is estimated to increase to 30.1 million by 202), so don’t let nerves get the best of you. During this outpatient procedure, your surgeon will remove the clouded lens, and replace it with an artificial lens. If you might be a candidate for cataract surgery, or just have questions about eye health, don’t hesitate to make an appointment with Eye Center of Texas. We can get you on the path to a brighter, clearer future.
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Is It Time for Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts cause a progressive, slow, steady decline in vision. Cloudy areas spread and intensify over a period of months or years.
You may be bothered by glare from headlights and other bright sources of light, halos around bright lights when the surrounding area is dim, decreased color perception or the need for more light to see common objects. You may also experience an inability to read, an inability to drive, or an inability to do the normal things you do because your vision is getting progressively worse.
Sometimes new glasses prescriptions can help improve the vision, but it does not remove the fog and haze caused by the cataract. However, when the vision becomes blurred and hazy to the point that you are not able to perform your daily activities, it is time to discuss removing the cataract.
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The Evolution of Cataract Surgery
- The first reported surgical removal of a cataract was in 1748 in Paris. The early techniques involved removing the entire opaque lens in one piece using an incision that went halfway around the circumference of the cornea. It was critical that the lens remained intact as it was being removed, so surgery was restricted to so-called ripe lenses (cataracts so hard that they would not break into pieces as they were being removed).
- The most significant change was the introduction of phacoemulsification surgery in 1967 and is the most wildly used type of cataract surgery performed in the United States. In phaco, the surgeon makes a tiny incision on the side of the cornea, and inserts a probe through this opening. The probe emits ultrasonic waves that soften and break up the cloudy lens, which is then suctioned from the eye in small pieces.
- Originally, no lens implants were used following cataract surgery, and patients had to rely on “Coke bottle” glasses.
- Howard Ridley, a British ophthalmologist recognized that the penetration of shattered fragments from airplane windshields into the eyes of World War II fighter pilots when their planes had been hit did not always lead to damage of the eye. He created the first artificial lens from this material, leading to the creation of an entire industry.
- The evolution of smaller surgical incisions was matched by the development of new lens implants created out of different materials (such as acrylic and silicone) that could be folded to allow the lens to be inserted through a tiny wound.
- Today, Lenses are manufactured in a variety of different optical powers. Prior to surgery, patients undergo a series of measurements determining the length of their eye and the focusing power of their cornea to determine what will be the optimal intraocular lens power for them.
- Intraocular lens implants are now available that can correct myopia or hyperopia and also a variable degree of astigmatism.
- New advancements in laser technology are under development that will allow most steps of the cataract surgery procedure to be performed using a laser.
- Cataract surgery complications are few, and it is among the most common and most successful surgical procedures performed today. According to the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ASCRS), 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery each year, with an overall success rate of 98 percent or higher.
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