Due to remarkable advances in modern-day cataract surgery, patients with cataracts now have many options to correct their respective conditions. At Nevada Eye Physicians in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, and Pahrump, NV, our aim is to make as many procedures as possible available so you and your doctor can choose the ideal corrective plan that works best for you.
In the past, eye professionals would have recommended that patients have cataracts removed as early as possible and before their lenses have a chance to harden. It is very different today. New techniques and procedures have emerged, utilizing innovative technologies like laser cataract surgery that can help people at all stages of the condition.
Do I need cataract surgery?
In the early stages of cataract development, sometimes no surgery is needed. Many times, corrective lenses or even simple solutions, like brighter lighting, will help improve your sight situationally. However, these simple remedies don’t always resolve any specific long-term issues like presbyopia (age-related farsightedness), and will eventually have to be addressed with a surgical procedure to correct them.
There are basically two kinds of cataract surgery you can undergo: traditional and premium. While both procedures involve specific methods and have similar goals to help restore your sight, how they achieve these specific results will depend on the progression of your individual cataracts.
The top five signs of cataracts
- Increased blurry, hazy, or glowing vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Trouble with night vision
- Double vision
- Difficulty reading
What is traditional cataract surgery?
Cataracts can be most simply described as the clouding of your lens. Traditional cataract surgery is the removal of the clouded or broken lens with a time-tested surgical tool, such as a small scalpel, and then inserting an intraocular lens (ios) as a substitute. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, it’s one of the most common surgeries in the world. The concept of cataract removal literally dates back centuries, with typically traditional cataract surgeries becoming more commonplace about 50 years ago. As such, it is a safe and effective way of removing the lens – as long as your ophthalmologist has the experience. Since it is a time-tested proven method, it’s the method also frequently covered by your insurance.
What is premium cataract surgery?
Premium cataract surgery is relatively new in comparison to traditional cataract surgery. But as the first practice in the state of Nevada to introduce LENSAR laser technology for cataracts, it’s nothing new to us. This form of premium cataract surgery boasts all kinds of benefits to you, but is mainly the preferred method of cataract surgery for those seeking a safer and more precise removal of cataracts.
What are the benefits of premium cataract surgery?
There are many, but the top three main benefits of premium cataract surgery are:
- It’s less invasive – Laser cataract surgery breaks up the foggy lens particles before removal, thus expending less energy on your eye and potentially quickening your healing time. It is also generally a safer procedure due to the latest advancements in laser removal technology.
- It’s more precise – FDA-approved LENSAR technology provides your Nevada Eye Physicians surgeon with an intricate 3-D view of your eye to help ensure a more accurate cataract removal and placement of your new intraocular lens. The use of precise lasers will also allow you to see more clearly, faster.
- It’s customized – Whether you have an accompanying astigmatism or you need to correct intermediate vision distances, multifocal IOLs can be addressed with premium cataract surgery by assessing varying lens shapes that will work best for you.
What are the other kinds of cataract surgery?
Premium cataract surgery is not always covered by insurance, and your Nevada cataract specialists will assess your individual situation at your initial consultation. However, you do have eye surgery options that can ultimately help with your age-related cataracts. Learn more about the different types of cataract treatment options we offer at Nevada Eye Physicians, and be sure to discuss any concerns about the cost, time, and recovery from cataract surgery with your eye doctor.
How do I schedule cataract surgery?
Even if you eventually opt for premium cataract surgery, your vision professionals at Nevada Eye Physicians in Las Vegas, Henderson, Boulder City, Mesquite, or Pahrump, NV will want to explore all the procedures readily available to your specific situation. To begin the process of making your decision, contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
