When a doctor tells you that you have a cataract, and it should be removed, it may be a frightening prospect.  But, when you understand what a cataract is, how it will be removed, and, most of all, the priceless rewards cataract surgery can bring, you're likely to wish you'd had the procedure sooner.  After all, when the cataract is gone, your vision can be clearer, brighter, and sharper than it's been for a long, long time.

Today's cataract surgery isn't just the end of clouded vision.  It's the beginning of something wonderful.

Just what, exactly, is a cataract?

Simply put, a cataract is a "clouding" of the lens in your eye.

The lens located just behind the iris (the colored part of your eye), works like the lens of a camera.  It picks up images, then focuses the lights, colors, and shapes on the retina (the transmitter, located on the back of the eye, that sends the images to your brain).

The lens, made mostly of protein and water, can become clouded -- so clouded it keeps the light and images from getting through the lens to the retina.  Eye injury, certain diseases, or even some medications can cause the clouding.  But, in over 90% of the cases, clouding is caused by natural aging process.

A cataract can be the reason sharp images become blurred, and seeing things at night is more difficult.  It's why the eyeglasses or contact lenses that used to help you read -- or do any everyday, simple task -- don't seem to be helping.

A cataract is not a "film" over the eye, and neither diet nor lasers will make it go away.  The best way to treat a cataract is to remove the old, clouded lens, and replace it with a new one.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which can block or distort light rays from reaching a person’s retina. Cataracts may develop slowly over time and cause no pain. However, as a cataract grows, it clouds more of the eye’s lens, significantly impairing vision.

The image in the left is the slit view of the same eye as the one seen above.  The dense "pitt" or the nucleus of the lens can be noted.  Compare that to a healthy clear 15 year old patient's lens.  Now you can see why this patient had trouble seeing!

Cataract surgery is one of the safest procedures.  It's also one of the most successful.

Modern medicine has made great advances in cataract surgery.  Today, millions of people every year undergo this vision-improving procedure.  And, they see excellent results.

A tiny incision is made in the eye.  Through this incision, the surgeon inserts an ultrasonic probe.  The probe, about the size of a pen tip, breaks the cloudy lens into pieces.  The same probe vacuums these tiny pieces out of the eye.  This process is called phacoemulsification or phaco.
	Once the capsule has been emptied of the clouded lens, the next step is to replace it.  That is, to implant an artificial lens that will do the work of the old, natural lens.

How will it feel?

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure.  You'll spend just a few hours at the site.  Because your eyes will be numbed with anesthesia, you should feel nothing.

After the surgery, you'll be given sometime to rest.  Then, the very same day, you can go home.  The next day, your doctor will want to see you for an evaluation.  Drops may be prescribed to guard against infection and help eyes heal.  For a few days, you may need to wear a protective shield, especially at night, to keep away irritants.

Your new lens.  As good as the lens it replaces.

Today, even the artificial lenses that replace a cataract patient's own natural lenses have changed dramatically.

Thanks to the latest advances in technology and materials, many artificial lenses (called IOLs or intraocular lenses) have significantly clinically advantages over previous lens models.  The lenses are made of a soft, flexible material that has been developed specifically for use as an IOL.  This material behaves well in the eye, contributing to excellent long-term results.

Also the IOLs are designed to conform to the natural shape of the lens capsule.  That helps it stay stable and centered in the eye.

There are now a great many number of highly advanced new implants that may provide the ability to be able to see near and far all with out glasses.  Don't forget to real more about cataract surgery and implant options.

Your Doctor will be glad to give you even more information about your implanted lens.  As with any surgical procedure, there are risks.  You and your doctor should consider the potential risk and benefits, and determine if cataract surgery, and implantation of an intraocular lens are right for you.

When the clouds have gone away.

When your cataract has been removed, and a new clear lens has taken its place, it may seem like a miracle.  All the things you couldn't see clearly are bright, clear, and vivid again.  In fact, many people will tell you they haven't seen life so clearly in years.

Once you see how good the world looks, you'll be so glad -- like millions of others just like you -- that a cataract is one thing that won't cloud your world anymore.

There are several choices of implant type that can be used at the time of you cataract surgery, the standard monofocal implant, ones correcting for astigmatism, and ones that correct for near, intermediate, and far!!!  Read more about these special implants on the page of Cataract Surgery & Implant Options.

If you are experiencing any symptoms of cataract problems, we encourage you to contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The physicians of Northern California Laser Center are renowned Modesto and Stockton lasik eye surgeons. They are also considered Modesto and Stockton cataract surgery specialists. These physicians treat lasik Modesto and cataracts patients from their Modesto offices.