Cataract Surgery As An Opportunity to Customize Vision
By Dr. Latif Hamed, MD, FAAO, MBA
Former Tenured Professor of Ophthalmology, UF College of Medicine
By now, most readers know that a cataract is a clouding and loss of transparency of the eye’s natural lens. That lens is made up of a liquid protein like egg whites: fresh eggs are transparent and boiled eggs are cloudy. In cataract surgery, we set out to replace the cloudy lens with a high-tech synthetic lens through a tiny incision that does not require sutures. Everyone who has a cataract removed should have a lens implant to avoid having to wear the very thick glasses Grandpa had to wear back in the fifties and sixties after his cataract surgery, a time before lens implants were perfected. We remove a cloudy natural lens, and we replace it with a clear, man-made one. Removing a cataract without instilling a lens implant is like having a camera without a lens; poor blurry images result.
These lens implants are not all the same. It is no exaggeration to say there are as many types of lens Implants as there are car models on the road. Lens implants differ with respect to power, shape, size, material, design, and functionality. You can see and test drive a car before you buy it, and you should learn about the lens implant you're getting before it finds a permanent home inside your eye. Although we can exchange a lens implant for another after implantation in the eye, it is not as easy as changing a pair of shoes. The implant adheres and "welds" itself into the inside of the eye; removing it requires time and skill and entails some risk and expense. Therefore, making the right choice from the get-go is the way to go.
Once implanted, modern lenses are very durable and can last a lletime.
You may ask, why then do we not cut to the chase and place the top model implant in every eye? After all, almost everyone wants to drive the top model car, right? Not necessarily. The reasoning is threefold: economics, medical considerations, and lifestyle choices.
1. Economic considerations hinge on the fact that Medicare and other insurances only cover standard basic intraocular lenses that require wearing glasses for at least some tasks, such as reading, after surgery. Premium or multifocal lens implants or Toric implants that correct astigmatism are not covered and are to be paid for by the patient. If the patient can afford it and is qualified for it, receiving a modern premium lens implant can be very rewarding. To be able to see at distance and near without glasses is nice.
2. Medical considerations entail that not every patient is a candidate for every lens implant. The surgeon must skillfully match the patient's eye with the best implant for that specific eye, depending upon the condition of that eye. For example, patients with advanced macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy are not good candidates for multifocal implants.
Patients who may need retinal detachment surgery are poor candidates for implants made from silicon, etc.
3. Personal lifestyle factors entail matching the capability of the lens implant with the patient's vocation, hobbies, and favorite activities. No implant, no matter how expensive or advanced, is perfect for everyone. Golfers would benefit from different implants than accountants and those different from truck drivers. Nocturnal people would de better with certain implants than those who never go out at night. You get the point.
No patient can be an expert on every medical situation he or she encounters. However, I try in my practice to impart enough knowledge and information te empower the patient to ask questions and seek answers that help in making the most suitable choice. Cataract surgery is needed once in a lifetime (cataracts do not grow back); it represents an opportunity to customize your sight for a lifetime of eniyable visual experiences. The role of the surgeon is to help the patient make good choices before the surgery. to perform the surgery with care and expertise, and to remair humble in the face of success. There is a sense of gratificatior and happiness that the eye surgeon experiences when restoring a patient's sight. It is no wonder that two of my children are pursuing a career in ophthalmology, having seen firsthand how great, dynamic, and gratifying this specialty is.
Ready to See Clearly Again?
If you’re tired of relying on glasses or your vision just isn’t what it used to be, it may be time to explore your options. At Florida Eye Specialist Institute, we specialize in helping patients throughout Ocala and Marion County restore sharp, comfortable sight with advanced lens implant technology.
Dr. Hamed will personally evaluate your eyes, discuss your lifestyle and goals, and recommend the implant that best fits your vision needs — whether that means crisp distance vision, freedom from reading glasses, or both.
Schedule your personalized cataract or lens consultation today. Call us at (352) 237-0090 or request an appointment online.
Rediscover the world with clarity — see life the way it was meant to be seen.
