Laser Cataract

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens, located behind the iris, works just like the lens of a camera - focusing light images on the retina, which sends images to the brain. The human lens can become so clouded, it keeps light and images from reaching the retina. 70% of people over the age of 75 develop cataracts.

A cataract can be the reason why sharp images become blurred, bright colors become dull, or seeing at night becomes more difficult. It may also be why reading glasses or bifocals that used to help you read or perform simple tasks no longer seem to help. Vision with cataracts has been described as seeing life through old, cloudy film. But a cataract is not a "film" over the eyes or a growth inside the eye. It cannot be prevented and diet and exercise will not prevent it or make it go away. Eye injuries certain diseases or even some medications can accelerate the clouding but a cataract is also an aging change of the lens.

The best way to treat a cataract is with surgery that removes the old clouded lens and replaces it with a new, artificial one to restore your vision, and many ways significantly improve one's quality of life. Today's technology has made both surgery itself and the replacement lenses safer and more effective than ever. For instance, the refractive cataract laser has significantly increased surgical precision.

What is Cataract Surgery?

Due to the huge medical advances made, cataract surgery is one of the most successful procedures performed today. Cataract surgery is generally a simple outpatient procedure with little or no discomfort, performed in only a few minutes and done under topical anesthetic. The goal of the operation is to break the old, cloudy lens into pieces, remove the pieces from the eye and insert a replacement lens to replace the natural lens. Traditionally, the surgeon would accomplish these tasks by making a small incision in the eye and then using an instrument about the size of the tip of a pen equipped with ultrasound to break the old lens and vacuum it out. Now, patients have the option of choosing a bladeless, computer-controlled refractive cataract laser to perform several of the most critical steps of cataract surgery.

What is the LenSx Laser?

The LenSx laser has revolutionized cataract surgery by operating with unmatched precision and computer control, helping surgeons to customize the procedure to the patient's eye. It is a technologically advanced option for cataract patients that allows them to enjoy a range of vital benefits.

A Custom Tailored Solution

While human eyes share the same basic anatomical structure, every eye is just a bit different in terms of size, depth, curvature of the cornea, and other key features. This is why every eye must be carefully measured and mapped prior to cataract surgery. While these measurements have been routinely performed prior to surgery, the LenSx uses a range of widely advanced technologies - including integrated optical coherent tomography (OCT) - to capture an incredibly precise, high-resolution images of your eye. These images - and the measurements and data they provide - are then used to plan and perform surgery to exact specifications not attainable with traditional surgery. In addition to aiding in cataract removal, the LenSx laser is also able to correct corneal astigmatism in one procedure allowing for an excellent visual result.

In summary, LenSx technology provides safety, accuracy and the unparalleled results immediately after surgery.

About the Turner Eye Institute:

Turner Eye Institute provides an array of eye care services for those who need to get eye surgery, including laser vision correction (bladeless and wavefront custom), refractive and cataract surgery (traditional and by femtosecond laser), evaporative dry eye treatment (lipiflow), keratoconus treatments (Intacs and Corneal Cross Linking) and corneal transplantation. Their world renowned surgeons have outstanding credentials to deliver the best care and surgical outcomes for patients. Turner Eye Institute utilizes the most advanced, field proven technology to deliver the best solutions safely and reliably. Recent advances in LASIK eye surgery technology can be found at all of Turner Eye Institute's clinics in San Francisco, Concord, San Jose, and San Leandro and the Entire Bay Area. For more information, visit http://www.turnereye.com or http://www.helpkeratoconus.com