Cataract Surgery
in Orange County, CA

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Cataracts are a common vision problem associated with aging. Nearly 70% of individuals over the age of 80 will have cataracts. In most cases, cataracts develop in patients over the age of 50 and become more prevalent with age. Cataracts¹ are a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that occurs when certain proteins clump together. Once cataracts form, they will not resolve naturally or through the use of medications. While early cataracts may not need to be addressed, cataract surgery² will be required once cataracts begin to impair vision. Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is an incredibly safe and effective procedure that can successfully restore vision.

CATARACT SURGERY OVERVIEW

Modern cataract surgery³ involves the removal of the damaged lens of the eye and insertion of an artificial lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore vision. It is a relatively straightforward procedure that is performed on an outpatient basis and takes less than 30 minutes per eye. The following provides an overview of how the surgeons at Beach Eye Medical Group perform cataract surgery.

• Anesthesia and preparation of the eye. In most cases, numbing eye drops will be administered to keep the patient comfortable during surgery. An eye speculum will be positioned to keep the eye open during the procedure.
• Corneal incision. To access the lens of the eye, the surgeon makes a tiny incision along the edge of the cornea of the eye (the transparent part of the eye that covers the pupil and the iris). The incision is small enough that the wound should self-seal, thus sutures will not be required.
• Capsulotomy. The gain access to the lens, the surgeon must open the front portion of the lens capsule. Using a needle, he makes a small hole in the capsule and then carefully creates a round, smooth opening using a gentle tearing technique.
• Emulsification and removal of lens. Ultrasound energy will be used to break the lens into tiny fragments. The surgeon then aspirates all of the fragments out of the lens capsule.
• Insertion of IOL. Once the lens has been completely removed, the intraocular lens can be implanted. The lens is folded so that it can be inserted through the tiny opening. Once in place, the lens springs open and settles into his final position inside the lens capsule.
• Patient monitoring. Once the surgery is finished, patients typically remain at our outpatient surgery center for a short time until they feel well enough to return home. Anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops will be provided, along with instructions for how often and how long to use them.

After the surgery, most patients will notice an immediate improvement in their vision. The majority of healing occurs in the first week and complete recovery occurs within a month.

Corneal Wavefront Technology for Cataract Surgery

How Does Cataract Surgery Work?

Traditionally, cataract surgery is performed with a thin blade used to carefully remove the cataract from the eye. With technological advancements in medicine, we are able to offer laser cataract surgery – a bladeless cataract removal procedure with the precision and accuracy of a laser. Using a laser-guided system, our cataract surgeons expertly remove the cataract and place an IOL or intraocular lens on the eye. Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences a different IOL or surgical method will be used.

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Correcting Common Eye Conditions with Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is performed to remove disruptive cataracts that cloud the vision, but it can also correct common eye conditions. Conditions such as astigmatism, presbyopia, and farsightedness can be relieved using one of our premium intraocular lens implants. Depending on the patient’s specific eye condition, our cataract surgeon will recommend the best lens implant for them.

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Which Intraocular Lenses Are Right For You?

Intraocular lenses are thin artificial lenses implanted on top of the eye during cataract surgery. At Beach Eye Medical Group, we offer various types of intraocular lenses (IOL’s)⁴ for conditions such as astigmatism and presbyopia. We also offer monofocal, multifocal and accommodating premium IOL’s as well.

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What Are Light Adjustable Lenses and How Do They Enhance Cataract Surgery Outcomes?

Light Adjustable Lenses (LAL®️️️️) represent a cutting-edge advancement in cataract surgery, offering patients the unique ability to customize their vision post-operation. Unlike traditional intraocular lenses, LAL®️️️️⁵ can be precisely adjusted after surgery to ensure the best possible visual outcome. This innovative technology allows for non-invasive adjustments to the lens's power, providing patients with unparalleled clarity and reducing the need for corrective eyewear. With LAL®️️️️, patients actively participate in refining their vision, leading to higher satisfaction and a more tailored visual experience. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment at our Huntington Beach, Irvine, Long Beach or Newport Beach office.

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References
^{1 Cataract Surgery: Risks, Recovery, Costs. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery
2 About Cataract surgery. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/about/pac-20384765
3 Phacoemulsification and modern cataract surgery. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10541151/
4 IOLs (Intraocular Lenses). Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/25099-iols-intraocular-lenses
5 Light Adjustable Lenses (LAL®️). Available: https://rxsight.com/}

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