Imagine waking up each morning and noticing your vision is diminishing. You have sensitivity to light and glares, your eyeglass prescription is constantly changing, and you are beginning to lose the ability to perform daily tasks like reading, driving, or even seeing the expression on a loved one’s face.
If you or someone you know has cataracts, you’re familiar with what this is like. Cataracts occur when the lens of the eye becomes clouded. They are typically a natural part of the aging process and develop slowly over time, but they can also be caused by medical conditions such as diabetes, trauma, or past eye surgery. Some other risk factors of cataracts include high blood pressure, excessive amounts of alcohol, and exposure to ionizing radiation.
The time has come for you to finally say goodbye to your cataracts. You owe it to yourself to learn about cataract treatment and the surgery process, as well as the different types of implant lenses that are available to suit your vision and lifestyle needs.
Cataract Treatment
Cataract surgery is the best way to remove the cataract and successfully restore your vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with more than 3 million Americans undergoing cataract surgery each year.
During surgery, your clouded lens is removed and replaced with a clear plastic intraocular lens (IOL). This new lens restores your vision and provides you with the ability to see clearly and perform daily activities again.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options
At Illinois Eye Center, we provide advanced IOL options for our cataract patients. These lenses provide you with the best possible results that suit your vision and lifestyle needs. Some of the IOL options we provide include:
- Monofocal Lens Implant: This lens is designed to deliver good distance vision without glasses after cataract surgery has been performed.
- Toric Lens Implant: This lens is used for cataract patients who have been diagnosed with astigmatism, which is a common condition that can make your vision distorted. The Toric Lens makes it possible to treat the cataract and correct the astigmatism at the same time.
- Advanced Technology IOL Implants: These lenses are also referred to as Multifocal or Accommodative IOLs, and are often used with patients who have presbyopia, a condition that results in difficulty seeing up close without the aid of bifocals, trifocals, or reading glasses. The implants are designed to provide a full range of vision with less dependence on glasses after cataract surgery.
Choosing the best lens for you depends on the characteristics of your eyes and your lifestyle. Our cataract surgeons will help you determine which IOL is best suited for your needs by measuring and examining your eyes, and discussing your lifestyle to ensure that we work with you to choose a lens that will provide you with the best results.
Contact Illinois Eye Center at (309) 243-2400 or visit our website for more information on cataract surgery and IOL options.