When we are younger the Crystalline Lens is usually soft, flexible and “crystal” clear and thus has excellent transparency and optical clarity. As we progress through our 50’s and 60’s, the normally “crystal” clear lens may gradually become yellow and cloudy. When this occurs, you may initially experience a mild blurring of your vision and feel that you might need a change of eyeglasses. As the Crystalline Lens loses its transparency and its optical clarity, 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. The cloudiness may also create glare, haloes, light sensitivity and a continuing decrease in your vision. If the Crystalline Lens becomes too cloudy it may cause a significant decrease in both your day and night vision. These are the visual symptoms that are common for those patients whose Crystalline Lens has clouded and formed a Cataract.
As we get older, Cataracts can become a common eye problem experienced by a great number of people just like you. Cataracts can affect us even if we have had normal vision all of our lives. It is important to note that Cataracts are even more common if we have had certain health problems such as diabetes or taken certain medications such as cortisone for asthma or other types of inflammatory conditions. If you are experiencing vision changes like these, it is important to schedule a comprehensive eye examination and Cataract Evaluation.
About Cataract Surgery at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham
Cataract Surgery is not only one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures performed in the United States, but it is also one of the safest and most successful surgical procedures that you can have. Modern Cataract Surgery today is safe, effective, predictable and quite common. In the United States alone, more than 2.5 million people have Cataract Surgery each year. At Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham, Dr. Michelson uses a small incision, “no stitch no patch no needle” technique that is performed on an outpatient basis. At Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Cataract Surgery is comfortable and convenient. The entire process usually only requires a few hours of your time from beginning to end. Our staff and the surgery center staff are present to help us with your actual surgery as well as available to assist you and make your experience pleasant.
The Cataract Surgery Procedure & Experience
When you arrive at the surgery center, the staff will check you in and review any paperwork that might require clarification or additional information. You will be escorted to a private changing area and asked to change and cover your street clothes. Once you are ready you will be escorted to comfortable waiting area.
Your Cataract Surgery procedure will begin with a staff member placing some drops in your eye to dilate your pupil. Your eye will then be treated with an anesthetic so that you will feel little if anything during your surgery and minimal if any discomfort. For most Cataract Surgery patients this involves having a few sets of eye drops placed in your eyes. Typically, it is not necessary for Dr. Michelson to use any injections or needles to anesthetize your eye.
Next, Dr. Michelson will place a very small incision at the outermost edge of your cornea. This incision will be just large enough to allow a microscopic instrument the size of a pen tip to pass through it. This microscopic instrument is a sophisticated and precise instrument that allows Dr. Michelson to remove your Cataract.
Then, Dr. Michelson will gently pass the microscopic instrument through the tiny incision. Sound waves or “Ultrasound” produced at the tip of the instrument will be used to gently break the Cataract into pieces small enough to be washed away, drawn through the instrument and removed from your eye. This cataract removal technique is called “phacoemulsification” and is the preferred technique of Cataract Surgery for most patients.
After the Cataract has been removed, Dr. Michelson will insert a new, crystal clear permanent Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) into your eye. The replacement lens will actually be inserted and placed in the correct position through the same tiny incision at the outer edge of the cornea through which Dr. Michelson removed the Cataract.
Upon completion of your Cataract and Lens Implant Surgery, Dr. Michelson will have one of the surgery center staff members take you to a comfortable place where you will be able to rest and relax prior to going home. After resting for a short while, a surgery staff member will give you permission to have a family member or friend drive you home.
Dr. Michelson and the staff will arrange to have you seen at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center within 24 hours of your Cataract and Lens Implant Surgery so we can examine your eye and confirm that you are healing and seeing as planned. Dr. Michelson will also prescribe some eye drops for you to use and 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 at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center with Dr. Michelson are able to see well enough to return to their routine daily activities within a day or so after their Cataract Surgery.
Alabama Eye & Cataract Center provides consultations for Cataracts and Cataract Surgery in Birmingham and is conveniently located for Alabama eye care patients from Huntsville, Montgomery, Dothan, Tuscaloosa, Adamsville, Forestdale, Fultondale, Gardendale, Center Point, Trussville, Moody, Leeds, Mountain Brook, Fairfield, Midfield, Vestavia Hills, Hoover, Bessemer, Helena, Alabaster, Gadsden, Auburn and Prattville Alabama. To schedule an appointment at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, please call us Toll Free 877.879.0909.
