June is Cataract Awareness Month

Senior woman teaching her granddaughter how to ride a bike

Cataract surgery is a procedure to remove your eye’s clouded lens and replaces it with an artificial lens to restore clear vision. When the presence of your cataracts interferes with your daily activities, surgery is likely the best option.

The team at Valley Eye Associates has performed over 55,000 surgical procedures over a combined 50 years of experience. Our expertise and commitment to excellence helps us provide a premium cataract surgery experience to all patients. Valley Eye Associates offers the following cataract surgery options:

Traditional Cataract Surgery

  • Corneal incisions are made manually by your surgeon.
  • A traditional replacement lens eliminates dimmed, fuzzy vision caused by cataracts.
  • The procedure is covered by Medicare; you will still need corrective lenses, especially for near vision.

High Definition Laser Cataract SurgeryTM

  • Corneal incisions are made with a laser for a more precise cut.
  • Advanced lens options not only replace the clouded cataracts, but also address other vision problems like astigmatism, nearsightedness or farsightedness.
  • High Definition Laser Cataract Surgery may eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for many or most activities.
  • A portion of the procedure is covered by Medicare. Additional fees may apply.

Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options

There are more IOL options available than ever before, and choosing the proper IOL for your vision goals and lifestyle will ensure you are completely satisfied with the outcome of your cataract surgery. You will meet with your surgeon to discuss your vision goals and determine which lens best fits your lifestyle.

Monofocal IOLs

A monofocal IOL is an advanced acrylic lens that focuses vision on a single point. This lens will allow you to see clearly at one distance and require you to wear glasses or contact lenses to see at other distances. Many people who choose this lens decide they want to see clearly in the distance and wear reading glasses for near vision (cell phone) or intermediate vision (speedometer). Valley Eye Associates is proud to feature the TECNIS Monofocal Lens and the Alcon Acrysof in its cataract program.

TORIC IOLs

For patients with moderate or advanced astigmatism, the TORIC IOL is an excellent option when combined with HDLCS to achieve clear vision at one distance (usually far) without glasses or contact lenses.

Multifocal IOLs

A multifocal IOL is a premium clear lens that features concentric focus rings, allowing you to focus and see clearly at multiple distances after surgery. The goal of a multifocal lens is to help you see near, far, and everything in between to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses or contact lenses. Multifocal IOLs are a fantastic option for those willing to invest in lens technology for a more active and spectacle-free lifestyle.

ORA Intraoperative Technology Benefits

ORA is a powerful tool for improving your cataract surgery, and Dr. Vrabec, Dr. Salm, Dr. Unger and the team at Valley Eye Associates is the first in the region to offer this exciting technology.

  • ORA allows your surgeon to accurately review your vision during your cataract procedure
  • ORA offers measurements for more accurate calculations to guide your cataract procedure
  • VerifEye+ Technology validates the ORA data in real-time during your surgery, adding another layer of precision
  • ORA is clinically proven to result in more consistent accuracy for your cataract procedure, leading to higher patient satisfaction
  • ORA is highly beneficial for patients with astigmatism, as well as patients who have had previous eye surgery, such as LASIK or PRK
  • ORA reduces the need for follow-up treatments after your cataract surgery

Want to learn more about High Definition Laser Cataract Surgery? Join us for our next Live Cataract Seminar with Dr. Michael Vrabec at Pinnacle Cataract & Laser Institute:

Tuesday, September 24
5:00 pm

Wednesday, November 13
5:00 pm