Cataract

Obviously in my profession my vision is very important to me. Thanks to Dr. Newman and his staff for restoring my vision after cataract surgery. Now my vision is better than it has ever been before! D.R. Commercial Airline Pilot

Your eye has a clear lens through which light passes allowing you to see.  When the lens loses its transparency, the cloudy tissue that develops is known as a cataract. 

Cataracts cause progressive, painless loss of vision.  The lens clouds naturally as we age, so people over the age of 65 usually see a gradual reduction of vision. No one is exactly sure what causes cataracts.  In younger people they can result from an injury, certain medications, or illnesses such as diabetes.  Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light may also play a role in the formation of cataracts.  Studies have also shown that people who smoke cigarettes have a higher risk of developing cataracts than non-smokers.

Although cataracts usually develop without apparent pain, some indications that a cataract may be forming are as follows:

If visual impairment interferes with your ability to read, work, or do the things you enjoy, then you will want to consider cataract surgery.  Surgery is the only proven means of effectively treating cataracts.  Cataract surgery is a relatively painless and is one of the most frequently performed procedures.  It has a very high success rate and more than 90 percent of cataract surgery patients regain useful vision.

For more information about cataracts, please click here .

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Limbal Relaxing Incisions For Astigmatism

Patients with astigmatism who are undergoing cataract surgery can choose to have limbal-relaxing incisions made to reduce their dependence on glasses for clear vision. Limbal-relaxing incisions are tiny cuts made around the edge of the cornea, called the limbus. These incisions "relax" the cornea's steep curvature and improve the way the eye focuses light. Limbal-relaxing incisions have been shown to heal faster and cause fewer side effects than other astigmatic keratotomy (AK) procedures.

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Cataract Testimonials

Dr.Newman and his staff are incredible, offering excellent care and thoughtful information. After my cataract surgery, my vision is amazing. Dr. Newman's skill and advice to implant the Toric Lens resulted in unbelievable results and NO DISCOMFORT! S.L.		Before surgery my left eye was blurry. I could not see anything out of it. Now I am 20-20 and I can see perfect!! Wow! T.W.
Very Considerate care from Dr. Newman and Staff. I can now read the Newspaper without glasses. Thanks L.P.		My vision has improved dramatically. I couln't read street signs. Now I have 20/20 in both eyes. I had Crystal lens put in both eyes, now I can see clearly. Thanks Dr. Newman! S.M.
WOW!! I see like a teenager. Dr. Newman's Center, All Pro- supportive, and kind. Staff Excellent!! T.S.		After wearing glasses all my life, my eyes were getting worse and I discovered that had a cataract in each eye. My Optometrist recommended Dr. Newman for the surgery. At the Newman Eye Center, I received expert care that was kind and caring. The Staff, and of course. Dr. Newman are just wonderful. I felt completely comfortable and assured that the surgery would be successful. Dr. Newman performed the surgery on both eyes within a few weeks of each other. The results are a miracle! I can drive and read without glasses which I could never do before. Thanks Again!! D. M.
Before surgery I was dependent on wearing glasses. Everything was cloudy and dull. After surgery I no longer needed glasses all the time. Colors were very vibrant and white was very bright again I would only need reading glasses occasionally now. J. M.		As a boomer now, I can see better than when I was in my 20's.
Before my surgery I could not read and had problems driving, now I can do both with ease. Thank you Dr. Newman.		Prior to surgery I had zero visibility with only light and dark in my left eye.  I can now see everything and may not even have to wear glasses except to read. Thank you for my miracle!!
Having cataract surgery opened up a whole new world for me. Now I only need glasses to read fine print. J. W.		Dr. Newman did a fabulous job.  I am able to see great now and also look much younger after having crystalens' implanted in both eyes as well as eyelid surgery. S.M.
Dr. Newman exceeded my expectations. I would have been pleased to be able to see distance without glasses. He not only corrected my distance vision but also correcteg my vision where i can read without corrective glasses. I had LASIK Surgery in September of 2001. It now has been almost 7 years and my vision is still wonderful. J.P.		Before the Newman Eye Center my vision was impossible. Now without glasses my world is brand new. D.R.
I had no vision in my right eye. I had very bad cataract. Dr. Newman performed a miracle. I never thought I would ever see again in that eye. I would say that Dr. Newman and his staff are the best there is. D.G.		I had double vision before and had a hard time reading at work. After the surgery I noticed a vast improvement in my vision and i don't need glasses as much. N.M.
Before I had surgery my vision was very poor. Now I can see and do things without my glasses H.R.

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Advanced Cataract Surgery

In phaco surgery, a small ultrasonic probe is inserted into the eye.  This probe breaks (emulsifies) the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and gently sucks (aspirates) those pieces out of the eye.  Phaco requires a small incision of only 2.8 millimeters or less. To make your procedure as painless as possible anesthesia is a combination of local and/or topical along with IV sedation. 

With the recent advance of foldable IOLs, lenses can be implanted through the same small incision that is created in the phaco procedure.  These IOLs are made of a flexible material allowing them to be folded for implantation.  Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and returns to its original shape.

Click here to view 3D animations on Cataract »

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Multifocal Lens

Artificial lenses (IOLs) are implanted in the eye to replace natural lenses for patients with cataracts, presbyopia or severe refractive errors. that have been damaged by cloudy cataracts or presbyopia. Until recently, IOLs were only available to correct distance vision. These monofocal lenses helped improve distance vision after cataract surgery, but patients still needed glasses or contact lenses for near vision activities like reading and playing cards. Now, advancements in technology have produced multifocal IOLs that allow patients to see at all distances -- near, far and many distances in between. Multifocal IOLs such as ReStor®, ReZoom™preserve distance vision and correct presbyopia so cataract surgery patients -- and patients seeking treatment for presbyopia alone -- can enjoy sight with less dependence on glasses

The procedure to replace a patient's natural lens with a multifocal IOL is the same as that used in cataract surgery.

Click here for more information about the ReSTOR® Lens.

Click here for more information about the ReZoom ™ Lens.

Click here to view 3D animations on Refractive Lens Exchange »

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YAG Capsulotomy

During cataract surgery, your doctor replaces the clouded, blurry area of the lens with an artificial one to correct vision.  However, after surgery, many people experience a gradual clouding on the covering of the new lens, a condition known as aftercataract or secondary membrane.  Clouding is the most common complication of cataract surgery and can cause blurred vision to return, but a solution is available to treat this side effect.

A procedure called a posterior capsulotomy, using an Nd: YAG laser, can be performed to remove the back lining of the lens capsule let light pass through to the retina.  The laser cuts a hole in the back lining and helps remove cloudiness in the lens. 

The capsulotomy can be performed in your doctor's office and is a painless procedure that does not require any anesthesia.  It is considered a safe procedure and most people only experience short-term increased eye pressure. 

A YAG capsulotomy cannot prevent clouding of the lens, but can be beneficial to the 1 in 4 people who experience this complication.  It is important to weigh the possible risks and benefits, similar to that of the original cataract surgery, before deciding upon treatment.  Most people experience improved vision and reduced glare after undergoing a posterior capsulotomy. 

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