Modern treatment options for cataracts.
If you have been diagnosed with cataracts, you are not alone. It is estimated that by age 65, more than 90 percent of people have a cataract or have had treatment. The only way to treat cataracts is to have your lens removed and replaced with an intraocular lens.
Quigley Eye Specialists joins the American Academy of Ophthalmology in sharing options everyone with cataracts should know during June, which is Cataract Awareness Month.
First introduced in 1949, intraocular lenses (IOLs) are now available in a wide range of varieties and lens materials. Traditionally, even with an IOL implant, individuals would still have to wear glasses after the procedure.
The creation of multi-focal IOLs like the SmartLense ® has now made it possible for most individuals to see clearly without the help of their glasses whether you’re reading, looking into the distance, or anywhere in between.
How can SmartLense® help with cataracts?
Cataracts cause a clouding effect on the eye’s natural lens, affecting an individual’s vision over time. Left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. They can cause objects to appear blurry and weaken night vision. Cataracts cannot be prevented, but they can be removed and replaced with an artificial lens to help restore vision.
An intraocular lens like the SmartLense® will help you get your vision back so you can get back to doing the things you enjoy.
How can SmartLense® help with presbyopia?
Intraocular lenses aren’t just for individuals with cataracts. They can also help with with presbyopia, also known as near-sightedness. This condition eventually affects everyone as they age. The older we get, the more prone the natural lenses of our eyes become to cloudiness and inflexibility, causing a decrease in vision. This is known as presbyopia and can affect anyone – even those who have had perfect vision most of their lives.
How can SmartLense® help with astigmatism?
About one in six people in the United States have astigmatism. This means the eye isn’t completely round, making glasses a necessity. Eye surgeons at Quigley Eye Specialists can help correct astigmatism with a unique version of our SmartLense so you won’t have to be dependent upon your glasses to see correctly.
These lens options are considered an upgrade by your insurance company. This means that your insurance company will cover the cost of cataract surgery, but you will need to finance or pay out-of-pocket for the upgraded lens procedure.
To make an appointment or learn more ways to keep your eyes healthy, visit QuigleyEye.com or the American Academy of Ophthalmology’s EyeSmart® website.
