Cataracts
What is a Cataract?
Cataracts are a condition that affects the naturally clear lens of the eye. In a young, healthy lens, light passes unobstructed through the lens resulting in clear vision. As a person develops cataracts, the natural lens becomes cloudy, obstructing the light that passes through. The result is cloudy, blurry vision that worsens over time. Our ophthalmologists, Dr. Brandon Lee and Dr. Daniel Choi, specialize in cataract surgery, providing our patients with the latest in vision correction technology available today. Call our office at 808-524-1010 to schedule your appointment today.
What Causes Cataracts?
Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process. As we age, the clear lens inside the eye begins to harden and calcify, causing the lens to become hardened and cloudy. You might not notice the early stages of cataracts, but the process worsens over time, causing your vision to become increasingly cloudy and blurry until cataract surgery is required to correct the clouded vision.
Cataracts begin to develop around the age of 50 but can develop at earlier ages depending on factors such as congenital cataracts, or by injury to the eye. Other causes of the development of cataracts include the presence of other eye conditions, such as glaucoma and or patients with diabetes, or long-term use of certain medications such as corticosteroids.
What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
When your cataracts first develop, you might not notice any symptoms. However, as time goes by, you may begin to experience some of the following symptoms.
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Haloes around lights
- Double vision
- Colors are not as bright; Seem yellow
- Feels like a film over your vision
- Your prescription changes often and unexpectedly
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or more of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an eye exam with one of our cataract specialists, Dr. Brandon Lee or Dr. Daniel Choi.
What Are Cataract Treatment Options?
Glasses, contact lenses and magnifying glasses can help temporarily correct your vision as cataracts progress. The only way to permanently resolve your cataracts and improve your vision is to undergo cataract surgery. During surgery, the doctor removes the cloudy lens inside the eye and replaces it with a clear, artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
LEARN MORE ABOUT CATARACT SURGERY
Cataract surgery is one of the most common procedures performed in ophthalmology. Schedule an appointment today and see if cataract surgery might be an option for you.
The Cataract and Vision Center now offers the AcrySof ® IQ Vivity™ IOL!
Alcon’s latest innovation provides a greater range of vision than the standard cataract lens, or a monofocal, allowing patients to see clearly far away and at arm’s length while still providing functional vision up close.
Alcon’s AcrySof® IQ VivityTM IOL
The Cataract and Vision Center is thrilled to announce the availability of AcrySof® IQ VivityTM Vivity, the first and only non-diffractive extended depth of focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract patients in the U.S.
If you are looking for a cataract replacement lens option that provides distance and intermediate vision, Vivity™ may be a great option for you to consider. The Vivity™ IOL provides clear distance vision (watching children playing in the backyard), better intermediate vision (working on a computer, applying makeup or shaving) and some near vision (reading, knitting).1
While the standard cataract replacement lens (called a monofocal lens) allows you to see far away, Vivity™ allows you to see far away and at arm’s length while still providing functional vision up close.1 Vivity™ also offers patients increased independence from eyeglasses compared to a monofocal lens, allowing patients to engage in lifestyle activities and hobbies with more ease.
Clinical trial results in patients bilaterally implanted with Vivity™ (n=107) or a monofocal IOL (n=113), showcase the lifestyle benefits of Vivity™, including:
- 90% were satisfied with their results and would get the lens again*†2
- 93% would recommend the lens to a family member or a friend compared to 84% for monofocal*†2
- 94% reported good or very good vision far away without glasses in bright light*†1
- 92% reported good or very good vision at arm’s length without glasses in bright light*†1
- 2% of patients were bothered very much by starbursts, 1% were bothered very much by halos, and 0% were bothered very much by glares*1
If you’re interested in learning more about Vivity™, please schedule an appointment with Dr. Brandon Lee or Dr. Daniel Choi to see if Vivity™ is an option for you.
AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Family of Extended Vision IOLs
DESCRIPTION: The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL is a type of IOL used to focus images clearly onto the back of your eye (retina) to allow clear vision after the cataract removal. The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL provides clear distance vision (e.g., for watching children playing in the backyard). In addition, the AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL allows for better intermediate (working on a computer, applying makeup or shaving) and some near (reading, knitting) vision compared to what a monofocal IOL would provide. The AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL is not a multifocal IOL, as it uses a new Wavefront-Shaping technology to provide the broader range of vision.
There is a chance you may still need glasses for distance, intermediate, and/or near vision. You will get the full benefit of the AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL when it is implanted in both eyes. Please discuss with your eye doctor whether this is the right IOL for you
Potential Side Effects: There are some side effects that can be associated with the design of IOLs that provide a broader range of vision, which may be worse than with a monofocal IOL. These side effects include visual disturbances such as glare, rings around lights, starbursts, and a decrease in ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting. These side effects may make it more difficult to see in some situations.
Contrast sensitivity, an important measure of visual function, is the ability to distinguish objects from their background, especially in dim lighting. In the AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL clinical study, contrast sensitivity in dim lighting was reduced in patients who received the AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ IOL compared to those who received the Monofocal IOL.
A toric IOL corrects astigmatism only when it is placed in the correct position in the eye. Some patients may have some level of astigmatism remaining after IOL placement, especially if they had a lot of astigmatism before surgery. There is also a possibility that the toric IOL could be placed incorrectly or could move within the eye. As with any toric IOL that provides an extended range of vision, if the lens is not positioned correctly in your eye, or if the amount of astigmatism to be corrected is calculated incorrectly, you may experience poor vision, you may need to wear glasses to see clearly at all distances, or you may need additional surgery to reposition or replace the IOL.
ATTENTION: As with any surgery, there are risks involved. Prior to surgery, ask your eye doctor to provide you with the Patient Information Brochure for the proposed AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL to be implanted. This document will further inform you of the risks and benefits associated with this IOL. Discuss any questions about possible risks and benefits with your eye doctor, as well as your medical condition and any eye disease you may have.
References
- AcrySof® IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision IOL DFU. Alcon Laboratories, Inc.; 2020.
- Alcon Data on File, 2019.
