Cataracts are a problem experienced by a great number of people just like you. Cataracts are a common cause of vision problems among people in their 50’s and 60’s and they are actually a major cause of senior eye problems and vision loss. More than 20 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80. A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. For many patients, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision.
Symptoms of Cataracts
If you are developing a cataract or already have cataracts you may experience symptoms such as a clouding or blurring of your vision and perhaps feel that you might need a change of eyeglasses. You may notice that it is not as easy to see well and comfortably in dim illumination, such as for night driving. You may notice that colors look faded and you may be bothered by glare, haloes, light sensitivity and a continuing decrease in your vision. These are the visual symptoms that are common for those patients whose crystalline lens has clouded and formed a cataract. If you are experiencing one of more of these symptoms please be sure to let your eye doctor know at your eye exam.
People who develop a cataract often experience some common symptoms that may include:
- Blurring or Clouding of Vision
- Glare, or Light Sensitivity
- Poor Night Vision
- Double Vision in One Eye or a Shadowy Image
- Needing Brighter Light to Read
- Fading or Yellowing of Colors
About Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery we remove cataract and replace it with a clear permanent lens implant (IOL) in order to correct your vision. Among seniors and “baby boomers,” cataract surgery is one of the safest, most effective, predictable and common operations performed the U.S with more than 2.5 million people having cataract surgery & lens implants each year. At Millennium Eye Care our cataract surgeons Dr. David Lee, Dr. Joseph Shovlin, Dr. Jeffrey Brottman & Dr. Martin Schneider offer advanced surgical options using state-of-the-art technology at Freehold Surgical Center and typically perform the cataract operation and lens implant surgery on an outpatient basis which offers comfortable and convenient same-day surgery.
The Cataract Surgery Procedure
Preparation for your cataract operation will begin with a few sets of drops being placed in your eye to dilate your pupil. Additionally, your eye will be treated with anesthetic drops to numb the surface of your eye so that you will feel little if any discomfort during your cataract surgery. In addition you will be given medicines to help you relax if desired. The entire procedure usually takes less than 30 minutes and is not uncomfortable.
About Lens Implants
During your cataract exam and preoperative measurement visit, Drs. Lee, Shovlin, Brottman & Schneider and the staff will discuss choosing a cataract lens implant to correct your vision and help you see clearly. There are many types of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) that we can use in order to provide you with the best results to match your lifestyle and activities after cataract surgery. These different types of lens implants include Monofocal Lens Implants which are the most basic type of lens implant and only correct distance vision and not arms-length or close reading vision, aspheric high definition lens implants which offer a higher quality of distance vision but still do not correct arms-length or close reading vision, toric lens implants for those patients with astigmatism, and presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implants such as the AcrySof™ IQ Vivity™ Extended Vision Intraocular Lens, the AcrySof™ IQ ReStor® Multifocal Intraocular Lens Implant, AcrySof® IQ PanOptix™ Trifocal Lens Implant, the TECNIS Symfony, the TECNIS Eyhance™ and TECNIS Synergy™ Lens Implants (IOL) which correct distance vision, as well as a range of arms-length vision and close reading vision for most patients. Presbyopia correcting multifocal lens implants are a good choice for those who wish to reduce their dependence on eyeglasses, bifocals and reading glasses after cataract surgery. We will take the time necessary to answer all of your questions so you can relax on the day of your surgery.
We will arrange to see you within 24 hours of your cataract & lens implant procedure so we can examine you in order to confirm that you are healing and seeing as planned. We will also prescribe some eye drops for you to use and will ask you to wear a protective shield, mainly at night, to remind you not to accidentally rub your eye. Although each patient will heal a little bit differently, the majority of patients having cataract surgery with the cataract surgeons at Millennium Eye Care are able to see well enough to return to their routine daily activities within a day or so after their procedure.
Freehold Surgical Center
Freehold Surgical Center, L.L.C. is a state-of-the-art Ambulatory Surgery Center dedicated to performing many forms of eye surgery. The facility, which is located in Freehold, New Jersey, was established in 1986 by Eye Physicians and Surgeons, PA (currently Millennium Eye Care), a leading ophthalmology group that has been serving the needs of patients in New Jersey for over 40 years. The facility is located adjacent to the main office of Millennium Eye Care in Freehold Township. We are proud to hold the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC) Certificate of Accreditation, joining over 1300 health care organizations across the U.S. that are accredited by the AAAHC. We are one of the few freestanding eye care facilities in New Jersey, offering specialized treatment in a full range of areas of ophthalmology. Each of our eye surgeons is certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, who specializes in a specific field of eye care which enables us to meet a wide variety of your needs. Our areas of specialization include cataract surgery and lens implantation, glaucoma treatment, corneal disease, eye plastic surgery, retinal disease, laser surgery, and refractive surgery.
Our patients enter a comfortable setting where our professional staff provides the highest level of care. Our staff of board certified anesthesiologists insures that the surgical procedure is performed under close medical supervision with the appropriate sedation to provide a pleasant experience. Freehold Surgical Center participates in a wide range of medical insurance plans. For our patients’ convenience, Freehold Surgical Center accepts all insurance plans accepted by Millennium Eye Care. Our staff can be reached at extension 1500 and will be happy to provide information.