Katzen Eye Group | Cataract Treatment

How Do I Know if I Have a Cataract?

The first signs of cataracts typically involve night halos or glares in your vision. You might also have difficulty driving or reading, and you may notice that colors aren’t as vivid as they once were. These are all possible indicators that you’re developing a cataract. The only way to know for sure, though, is to schedule a consultation with an eye doctor.

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Are cataracts treatable?

Yes! For those who have already developed a formal cataract, typically found in patients ages 60 and above, we recommend modern cataract surgery.

For younger patients who exhibit the beginning stages of cataracts, but do not have a fully-developed cataract, we recommend Clear Lens Exchange (CLE). This procedure corrects vision and eliminates the inevitable need for cataract surgery later in life. With CLE, a very advanced implantable lens is put in the place of your eye’s original lens. This new lens corrects distance vision and astigmatism. It’s a permanent lens, and the patient will not develop a cataract again. Treatment is recommended based upon the severity of symptoms and cataract development.

For patients with fully-developed cataracts, cataract surgery is the suggested solution. However, if your symptoms suggest that you’re showing early symptoms of cataract development but not a fully developed cataract, other treatment possibilities are available.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is a safe, painless procedure that can correct distance vision and astigmatism. If a cataract is interfering with your daily life, we recommend surgery to remove the cataract and replace it with a new intraocular lens (IOL). The lens is permanent and eliminates the possibility of cataracts forming in the future. The procedure is done on an outpatient basis with a topical anesthetic. Doctors address one eye at a time with a short recovery period in between.

Here’s what happens during the procedure itself:
After making a very small incision outside your field of vision, the surgeon inserts a tiny probe and uses ultrasound to break up the clouded natural lens. The surgeon then suctions the pieces out through the same incision before inserting and positioning the IOL.

Is cataract surgery right for me?

If you see glares, starbursts, or halos at night, you may be showing early signs of cataracts. If you have difficulty driving or recognizing faces, or if colors aren’t as vivid as they once were, you may have a cataract. Schedule an eye appointment to discuss your symptoms.

What’s it like to have cataract surgery?

At Katzen Eye Group, cataract surgery happens in four simple steps.

Schedule a Consultation
At a time that’s convenient for you, a Katzen ophthalmologist will meet with you to discuss the changes in your vision and help you understand available options. The consultation and diagnostic testing are free and certainly do not obligate you to any future service. We are able to determine whether you are a candidate for cataract surgery. You will have an opportunity to schedule your procedure at this appointment. The doctor performing your consultation will be the same doctor performing your surgical procedure.
Arrive at the Surgery Center (Dulaney Eye Institute) for Cataract Surgery
After being greeted by the staff, you are met by the doctor who will be performing your surgery.
Travel Home for Recovery
After surgery, you must have a friend or family member provide your transportation home. You will experience improved vision right away, but we recommend not reading, driving, or using a computer for the rest of the day. After a good night’s sleep, you can return to work the next day.
Come Back the Next Day for a Post-Op Checkup
It is important that you meet with your ophthalmologist the day after your surgical procedure. We will confirm that your eyes are healthy and will clear you for normal activity.

When your cataract (cloudy human lens) is removed, it is alike to a camera taking a photograph without a lens; the photo would be blurry. Therefore, anyone undergoing cataract extraction receives a new, man-made lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), to replace their natural lens.

IOLs are permanent and maintenance free. You cannot feel them, you will never have to clean them, and unlike your natural lens, they stay clear indefinitely. The size, shape, design, material and prescription will be chosen by your doctor especially for you.

Diagram showing types of Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)

After a thorough examination and evaluation, you will be presented various options of IOLs. These IOLs are specially designed for you based upon your doctor’s recommendation and your lifestyle. An IOL counselor will assist you with a detailed explanation of your lens options and answer any questions that you may have.

Monofocal IOL: Assists patients in distance activities and helps lessen the dependent on glasses.
Advanced Technology IOLs (AT IOLs): Offers variable distance viewing with greater possibility that glasses or contacts will not be needed.
Extended Range of Vision IOL: Provides less dependence at all distances and offer greater freedom from eyewear than traditional monofocal IOLs.
Toric (or Astigmatic) IOLs: Reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism while greatly improving distance vision in patients.
Accommodating (Crystalens) IOL: Corrects vision by changing focus as the patient views objects at varying distances.

Diagram of how Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) work

Woman smiling, sitting in coffee shop holding a cup of coffee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risk factors for cataracts?

Cataracts typically occur as you age, but they can also be the result of injury, disease, and certain medications. Most Americans will develop cataracts by the age of 65. Those more at risk for cataracts include:

Diabetics
Steroid users
Smokers

If you have cataracts, plan to have cataract surgery, or would like to be evaluated, the doctors of Katzen Eye Group will be delighted to assist you. Our team is recognized by patients and colleagues as innovators and pioneers in cataract and intraocular lens (IOL) surgery.

Katzen Eye Group doctors were the first in Maryland, and among the first in the nation, to perform modern day cataract and implant surgery.

Cataract treatment is offered at Katzen Eye Group in Baltimore, at Mercy Medical Center, and in Lutherville-Towson, Maryland. Call us today, and we will help you achieve a brighter future!

Am I too young or old for cataract surgery?

Age is less of a factor than the severity of your symptoms in determining whether or not we recommend cataract surgery. If the cataract is fully developed, we recommend surgery. If it’s not, there are other forms of treatment available.

What are Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)?

When your cataract (cloudy human lens) is removed, it is similar to a camera taking a photograph without a lens; the photo would be blurry. Therefore, anyone undergoing cataract extraction receives a new man-made lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), to replace the natural lens.

IOLs are permanent and maintenance free. You cannot feel them, you will never have to clean them, and unlike your natural lens, they stay clear indefinitely. The size, shape, design, material, and prescription will be chosen by your doctor especially for you.

What are the different types of IOLs?

Monofocal IOL: Assists patients in distance activities and helps lessen the dependence upon glasses

Advanced Technology Lenses: Offers variable distance viewing with greater possibility that glasses/contacts will not be needed

Extended Range of Vision IOL: Provides less dependence at all distances and offers greater freedom from eyewear than traditional monofocal IOLs

Toric (or Astigmatic) IOLs: Reduces or eliminates corneal astigmatism while greatly improving distance vision in patients

Accommodating (Crystalens) IOL: Corrects vision by changing focus as the patient views objects at varying distances

How do I know if I’m a candidate for IOLs?

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective vision correction surgeries available.

IOL implantation makes it possible for those with cataracts and age-related eye problems to enjoy the best vision of their lives.

Please contact an ophthalmologist at Katzen Eye Group today, if you’d like to determine your candidacy for cataract surgery with intraocular lenses. Our doctors will evaluate your eyes to ascertain which of the many intraocular lenses available may be right for you.

How long does the initial consultation take?

We ask patients to allot two hours for the consultation, which includes time for diagnostic procedures.

Can I have both eyes done in one surgical procedure?

We only perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. The second surgery can usually occur two weeks later, depending on the patient and the doctor.

How long will the surgery last, and is it painful?

Surgery only takes about 10 minutes and should be completely painless.

What should I expect during recovery from cataract surgery?

During your recovery period after cataract surgery, taking precautions and administering all medications according to your doctor’s instructions will lead to a hasty recovery. The typical cataract surgery patient should return to normal activities within a day or two.

Katzen Eye Group staff will answer all of your questions and work with you toward achieving better, clearer, brighter vision.

Patients having their cataracts removed are asked to wear a patch for approximately 6 hours, post-operation, and a plastic shield to bed (the first night only) to cover and protect the affected eye. You will be asked to use eye drops after surgery.

By following these recommendations and your doctor’s instructions after cataract surgery, you will soon return to activities that might have been previously limited or halted due to previous poor eyesight. If you or someone you know is considering cataract surgery, Katzen Eye Group surgeons are ready to help. To schedule an appointment, please contact us by filling out the online form or by giving us a call.

What is Laser Cataract Surgery?

The LenSx® laser is an advanced precision based technology that partners unmatched precision and control, helping Katzen Eye Group surgeons to customize the procedure to your eye. It is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients. When you choose to have cataract surgery with the LenSx® laser, you’ll enjoy an array of dynamic benefits. LenSx features real-time diagnostic tools for an exact visual representation of what’s going on inside the eye during the procedure.

Much like our fingerprints, each of us has our own subtle differences when it comes to the Eye – the size, depth, lens position, and corneal curvature all ranging extensively. That is why our team employs the LenSx® technology to map each patient’s eye prior to surgery, allowing for unparalleled accuracy.

The advanced LenSx® laser is designed specifically for performing the most important parts of cataract surgery. LenSx ® uses a laser source to produce femtosecond laser pulses; an aiming system to localize specific targets in the eye; an optical delivery system to accurately deliver laser pulses to desired targets in the eye; and a computer controller to accomplish clinical procedures.

At your cataract surgery consultation, our Katzen Eye Group specialists will discuss the process with you so that the best decision can be made for your situation and goals. We pride ourselves on delivering the best in technology and technique to make this important procedure as easy as possible for each patient.

Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery with LenSx®

At Katzen Eye Center, our experienced physicians and knowledgeable staff utilize LenSx®, with its cutting-edge laser technologies. Cataract surgery has traditionally used a diamond blade to create several small incisions during the treatment. With this advanced surgical technology, our team is capable of laser precision with a speedy, more efficient procedure and a more rapid recovery time for our patients.

Cataract Treatment

The good news is that you don’t have to live with cataracts.

What are Cataracts?