Cataract Surgery

“When should surgery be done?”

Surgery should be considered when cataracts begin to interfere with your daily activities. It is not true that cataracts need to be “ripe” before they can be removed or that they need to be removed just because they are present. Cataract surgery can be performed when your visual needs require it.  If your vision interferes with your ability to perform daily tasks such as driving, reading or watching television,  it may be appropriate for you and your eye doctor to discuss cataract surgery.

“Can cataracts grow back?”

Once a cataract is removed and replaced with a lens implant, it cannot grow back.  Some patients may develop a clouded membrane just behind their lens implant during the months or years after surgery.  This is called posterior capsule opacification, and is easily addressed using a short outpatient laser treatment.

“How long will my lens implant last?”

The lens implant you and your surgeon select should last the rest of your life.  Only in very rare instances would a lens implant require removal or replacement.  Our surgeons will take time with you during your preoperative assessment to explain all the lens implant options in order to customize your vision after surgery.

“What can I expect on the day of surgery?”

Most of our patients undertake their surgery at Tower Clock Surgery Center.  On the day of surgery, plan to spend one to two hours at the center.  The surgery itself typically lasts anywhere from five to fifteen minutes, and most patients require only a mild sedative.  During your surgery you will be monitored to ensure that you are comfortable.  Although some patients sleep during their surgery, most patients stay awake and report seeing a kaleidoscope of colors.  All patients are free to ask questions during their surgery. After surgery our nursing staff will perform a brief assessment and make sure all your questions are answered.

“What is dropless cataract surgery?”

For decades cataract surgery has required that the patient use eyedrops to prevent infection and keep the eye comfortable. While very effective, patients were asked to use up to three different bottles of drops three or four times per day for a month after surgery.  The eyedrops can be difficult to administer and can cost up to $450 per eye.  Tower Clock Eye Center is proud to be the first and only clinic in the Green Bay area to offer a “dropless” technique for cataract surgery. With dropless cataract surgery, your medications are administered during surgery.  This allows our patients to avoid the expense and hassle of postoperative eyedrops after surgery and helps ensure better outcomes.

“Will my cataract be removed with a laser?”

Tower Clock Eye Center is proud to be the first center in Northeast Wisconsin to offer FDA approved laser cataract surgery to our patients, and the first center in Wisconsin to use the Alcon LenSx laser cataract system.  The LenSx laser is one of the first lasers designed from the ground up specifically for cataract surgery.  Our staff are the most experienced laser cataract surgeons in the area, and will take time to discuss your laser cataract options with you prior to surgery.

Benefits of laser cataract surgery

The LenSx Laser uses three-dimensional, high resolution images that create a unique map of the patients eyes.  These images, combined with computer-captured measurements, allow your surgeon to achieve greater accuracy, precision and customization than ever before.

The LenSx Laser is optimized with true image guidance and helps your surgeon determine the best location and dimension for incisions down to a fraction of a millimeter. The femtosecond laser pulses create bladeless incisions in the lens capsule, crystalline lens and cornea with a high level of accuracy. The LenSx Laser is an effective technological advancement that ensures the highest degree of precision throughout every step of the cataract surgical procedure.

Deluxe Intraocular Lenses

Multifocal Intraocular Lenses

In order to correct all of your vision with cataract surgery and achieve independence from glasses or contact lenses, your surgeon may discuss the use of multifocal lenses. Multifocal lenses employ a pattern of rings built into the lens to restore your distance, near, and intermediate vision.  Because reading vision is built into the lens itself, your eye does not have to work to focus. Not every patient is a candidate for multifocal lenses, but your surgeon will discuss your options and help to select the lens implant most appropriate for your surgery. Our surgeons have years of experience implanting Tecnis Multifocal and ReStor lens implants, the two leading multifocal lenses.

Accommodating Intraocular Lenses

Some intraocular lenses restore a range of vision by accommodating, or changing shape. The Crystalens is currently the only FDA approved lens that works with muscles in the eye to shift focus between nearby and distant objects after surgery.

Toric Intraocular Lenses

Until recently, patients with astigmatism did not have the same opportunities as other cataract patients in correcting their vision after cataract surgery. Toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism, along with overall vision, during cataract surgery – offering complete vision correction.

iStent®

For those patients undergoing cataract surgery who also suffer from mild-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma, the world’s smallest medical device can help. iStent is designed to manage glaucoma by allowing eye fluid to flow out easier. The iStent implant is inserted while you undergo cataract surgery, and once implanted, begins to work safely and effectively to manage your glaucoma. Many patients who choose iStent will also have a reduced dependence on glaucoma eyedrop medications.

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For information or to schedule an appointment, call (920) 499-3102 or toll free at (877) 693-9363 (877 MY EYE MD).