Did you know? At TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers we specialize in same-day cataract surgery. After surgery you return to the comfort of your own home. Studies show that a familiar, comfortable environment helps speed recovery. Our experience surgeons and staff are here to ensure an excellent experience. To find out more information about our same day surgery please call 1-877-TLC-TIME.

What is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s lens (the clear covering of the eye). Some cataracts form very quickly while others progress slowly, and usually continue to grow until treated or removed.

Although cataracts are the most common cause of impaired vision, they are highly treatable. In the United States, 2 million cataract operations are performed each year.

Cataracts damage vision by preventing the eye’s lens from focusing properly. The lens of the eye focuses light onto the retina in much the same way that a camera focuses light onto film. Because the cataract has clouded this lens, the lens cannot focus the way it should. Therefore, vision is blurred.

In addition to blurred vision, cataracts also cause glare, loss of depth perception, halos appearing around lights at night, and difficulty with reading or driving. In extreme cases, cataracts may cause eye redness, pain, or discomfort. Cataracts are not painful.

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What Causes Cataracts?

A cataract is caused by proteins clumping on the eye’s lens. This clumping of proteins is what causes the lens to become cloudy. Cataracts are a normal part of aging and usually appear in people age 60 and older.

Cataracts can also be caused by injury, steroid use, smoking, diabetes, or excessive exposure to sunlight. Cataracts are not caused by eye strain or bad lighting.

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Diagnosing Cataracts

Cataracts can only be diagnosed by an ophthalmologist during a comprehensive eye examination.

During a comprehensive eye exam, the ophthalmologist performs a variety of vision tests including:

• A visual acuity test using the letter eye chart to determine vision at various distances
• A pupil dilation test to examine the eye’s lens and retina
• A tonometry test to measure the fluid pressure within the eye

These tests measure vision loss, night vision, peripheral vision, and sensitivity to glare. The ophthalmologist uses the results of these tests to determine whether you have a cataract.

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Treating Cataracts

Eyesight is usually not impaired when cataracts first begin. In the early stages of cataract, simply prescribing stronger eyeglasses or increasing room lighting can successfully treat this disease. However, when cataracts cause vision loss or prevent the diagnosis of other eye diseases, cataracts should be surgically removed. The cataract removal procedure, called intraocular lens implant surgery, is very and a very common, safe, and effective surgical procedure. In fact, cataract surgery is the most widely performed non-elective surgical procedure in the world.

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Intraocular Lens Implant Surgery

Intraocular lens implant surgery is an outpatient procedure performed using the most advanced methods available. The procedure is painless and involves no stitches, patches, or injections. This suture-less, self-sealing cataract removal method was developed by our own surgeon Dr. Paul Ernest.

During the cataract removal surgery, ultrasound is used to break up the cloudy eye lens and the lens pieces are removed. A new intraocular lens is implanted using a tiny, self-sealing incision that heals very quickly.

Because no blood vessels are cut, there is no bleeding. There are no stitches to remove and only a local or topical anesthesia is used. Patients heal very quickly and resume normal activities the next day.

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