Cataracts

Dr. Petelin is a skilled and experienced cataract and lens implant surgeon having performed more than 3000 procedures since 1999. He was one of the first in the region to implant the ReStor multifocal and is one of the few local area surgeons with extensive experience with all four specialty lens implants currently in the US market: Alcon ReStor, AMO, Eyonics Crystalens, and the Alcon Acrysof Toric.

A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye, located behind the iris and pupil, begins to cloud over.  The eye's lens functions much like a camera's lens, directing light to the retina at the rear of the eye.  This lens, which is made up mostly of protein and water, is also responsible for helping the eye to focus and switch between seeing things far away and up close. 

The protein that composes the lens is naturally organized in a specific way that allows it to remain clear so that light can pass easily through it.  As a person ages, however, some of the proteins may begin to clump together into a cloudy area on the lens.  This is the start of a cataract.  In the beginning, the cloudy patch may be small, but over time it can grow larger, blocking more vision.

Cataract surgery is used to address diminished vision cause by cataracts, and is very successful in doing so.  Over three million Americans undergo cataract surgery every year, making it the most frequently conducted surgery in the U.S.

Standard IOL technology provides a focal point at a distance, leaving patients to depend on bifocals or reading glasses in order to see up close. Cutting-edge Presbyopic Correcting IOL’s however offer better vision at a wide range of distances. These lenses utilize technology similar to microscopes and telescopes, with tiny rings radiating outward from the center of the lens. Called apodized diffractive technology, these rings disperse light, creating excellent vision at a variety of focal points.

Crystalens

The Crystalens is one of a high-end category of IOLs referred to as “premium” or presbyopia-correcting IOLs.  Many middle-aged people require this type of lens due to age-related vision loss that impacts their ability to see at various distances.

The original Crystalens IOL, the Model AT-45, was approved by the FDA in 2003.  In early 2008, Crystalens was acquired by Bausch & Lomb, and in June of 2008 a high-definition or “HD” version of the Crystalens also received FDA approval.

The Crystalens HD was designed to improve near vision without affecting vision at intermediate or far distances.  Bausch & Lomb also claims that this HD version causes fewer glares and halos at night than other IOLs.  In 2010, the Crystalens Aspheric Optic was introduced.  The elongated shape of the AO is designed to reduce distorted vision and improve contrast sensitivity

Alcon Acrysof IQ Toric Lenses for Astigmatism 

For cataract patients with astigmatism, the surgical removal of the cataract and implantation of a new lens will correct clouded vision. However, patients are often still left with distorted, blurry vision requiring glasses or contact lenses.

The Alcon Acrysof IQ Toric Intraocular Lens (IOL) was developed specifically for these patients, using an advanced aspheric optic design that improves vision and increases contrast sensitivity for patients with astigmatism.

Not only will your vision no longer be cloudy, your distance vision can also be clearer and more vibrant, without the need for glasses or removable contact lenses.

TECNIS Multifocal IOL

The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is a new, advanced implantable intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery patients.

The Tecnis Multifocal IOL is one of the newest FDA-approved presbyopia-correcting IOLs , and allows patients to have excellent vision at near, intermediate and far distances without the use of glasses. The Tecnis Multifocal implantable IOL even work well in low light.

Due to the explosion in the lens implant technology mentioned above,it has never been an more exciting time for patients in need of cataract surgery or elective lens replacement. Unlike just a few short years ago, patients now have the opportunity if they elect, to significantly decrease their dependence on glasses or contacts following cataract or lens implant surgery. It is also more important than ever that your surgeon not only be skilled in cataract surgery, but also that he or she be equally skilled in refractive surgery such as LASIK or PRK.

In simple terms, your surgeon needs to be comfortable and skilled with a wide array of
techniques. Too many patients have these lenses implanted by surgeons unwilling or
incapable of achieving for you all that is possible. Do not make that mistake.

Additionally, elective lens replacement is fast becoming the procedure of choice for
patients in the age range of early cataract, or those whose glasses prescription is not
in the "comfort zone" of the modern day lasers used in LASIK or PRK. This due to the
simple fact that lens replacement surgery is a well established surgery that in these patients
not only accomplishes the goal of spectacle independence, bur removes any future
possibility of cataract.

For more information on cataracts, plese download our Cataract Brochure.
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