Cataracts

A cataract is a clouding of human lens inside the eye, resulting in blurred vision. Cataracts generally affect individuals over the age of 50. While cataracts occur as part of the aging process, many other conditions such as trauma, diabetes, vitamin deficiency or inflammatory diseases can accelerate cataract growth. Cataract surgery is a highly successful method of improving vision with the added benefit that many patients can eliminate their need for glasses after surgery.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery involves removal of the cloudy lens, and replacement with an artificial lens, which is called an intraocular lens. For decades, these intraocular lenses were of a fixed focus variety, meaning that they would focus on one point in space. Reading glasses were required for near and intermediate vision with these older intraocular lenses. One of Dr. Dell’s primary areas of research is the development of intraocular lenses to eliminate the need for reading glasses. In 2001, Dr. Dell performed a series of operations using a special intraocular lens called the Crystalens. This FDA-sponsored clinical research trial led to full FDA approval of the Crystalens in 2003.

The Crystalens®Intraocular Lens

The Crystalens® is an intraocular lens that has the unique ability to “zoom focus”, giving patients the ability to see well at distance, intermediate and near without glasses following surgery. Data from Dr. Dell’s clinical trial involving over 400 eyes indicated that without using any glasses, nearly every patient could see well enough to pass the Texas driver's license exam for distance vision, but could also see well enough at near to read the stock tables in a newspaper.

Qualified surgeons using the Crystalens must pass a rigorous certification process assessing their surgical skill, accuracy and proficiency. Dr. Dell personally trained hundreds of U.S. surgeons certified to use the Crystalens. All of the eye doctors in Austin who have had the Crystalens implanted have selected Dr. Dell as their surgeon. For patients living outside the Austin, Texas area who wish to have surgery with Dr. Dell at Texan Eye, arrangements can often be made to offer some of the post-operative care closer to home with one of these Crystalens certified surgeons. Dr. Dell is a consultant to Bausch and Lomb, the manufacturer of the Crystalens.

Crystalens® Videos

Florence Henderson Shares Her Crystalens Experience
Click here to download the video

For more detailed information on Crystalens and the aging process, join football legend Pat Summerall by clicking here.

Discover what Dr. Dell’s patients are saying about this surgery
Click here to view the video.

ReStor® and TECNIS® Multifocal Intraocular Lenses

ReStor® and TECNIS® Multifocal Intraocular Lenses are brand names of two additional intraocular lenses with the ability to provide good distance, intermediate and near vision. Each of these lenses uses a different optical strategy to achieve its visual goals. In certain patients, a different type of lens is used in each eye to achieve the desired result. Dr. Dell is a consultant for the manufacturers of both of these lenses.

All of these intraocular lens technologies are generally only appropriate for patients over the age of 40, however many patients in this age group are better candidates for LASIK. The decision of which type of surgery or implant lens is best for you is a highly individualized one, which is based on a variety of factors. Our doctors will discuss the best option for you at the time of your consultation.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Many of you know that Dr. Dell is heavily involved in research on laser vision correction and cataract surgery. What you might not know is that Dr. Dell was the second surgeon in the U.S. to perform cataract surgery with a femtosecond laser. As a consultant for LenSx, Dr. Dell has had access to this FDA-approved technology years before his peers. You can watch a video clip of a portion of a laser cataract procedure here .

Refractive Lens Exchange – Full Focus Vision

The freedom of regaining your near vision

Some patients who have not yet developed cataracts are interested in surgery to eliminate glasses for distance, intermediate and near vision. Their inability to read up close is called presbyopia. In many cases, the best way to treat this is to “prematurely” remove the lens in their eyes that will eventually become a cataract, and replace it with an intraocular lens. The intraocular lens has the ability to see at distance, intermediate and near without the need for glasses. This procedure is called Refractive Lens Exchange, and it is generally reserved for patients over the age of 40.

Refractive Lens Exchange is in essentially identical to cataract surgery; however, since it is performed on individuals who have not yet developed a significant cataract, it is referred to by a different name than “cataract surgery”. During our evaluation of your eyes, we can determine if this option is appropriate for you.

This type of surgery can restore the traditional Full Focus range of vision we are used to without the regular use of glasses or contact lenses. This can mean being able to see clearly across the room, at an intermediate distance like a computer screen, and even up close to read a novel, all without having to reach for reading glasses. If you would like to gain your freedom from glasses, contacts, or readers, call us for a consultation to determine if you are a candidate.

What is Full Focus® Cataract Surgery like?

Surgery to implant Full Focus® intraocular lenses is brief and virtually pain-free. Eye drops are used to anesthetize your eyes and mild sedatives are provided to help you relax. Full Focus® lens surgery takes approximately 20 minutes. You might feel pressure, but typically no pain. There are generally no shots required.

The surgery is done with microscopic instruments and is incredibly accurate. A small corneal incision (about 1/12th of an inch wide) is used to implant the lens. Because the cornea does not have blood vessels and the incision is so small, stitches are typically not used and there is rarely any bleeding.

How quickly will my vision improve following surgery?

Your vision may be mildly blurry in the first few days following surgery. However, as your eyes heal, you will notice increasing improvements in your distance, intermediate, and near vision. The results are such that the majority of patients can pass the driver's license vision test, and can read a newspaper without glasses.

Does insurance cover Full Focus® Cataract Surgery?

For patients with cataracts, most insurance companies will cover a large portion of the surgery. If Full Focus® lens implants are selected, an additional upgrade fee is required to obtain these premium lenses. The insurance specialists at our Austin eye centers can tell you the portion of your surgery that will be covered by your insurance, as well as assist you with financing options as needed.