How is Cataract Surgery Performed?

Modern cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful surgical procedures performed. The success rate exceeds 98%. It is a 15 minute out-patient procedure. Dr. Reinstein performs 99% of his cataract surgeries using only eye drops as anesthesia - no needles are required. The procedure is entirely painless. It is done through a tiny (1/8 inch) self-sealing incision, requiring no stitches. With this technique, no bandage is required after surgery, recovery of vision is usually very rapid, and there are almost no restrictions on the patients activities following surgery.

The cloudy protein of the lens is 'dissolved' within the eye using a small ultra- sound probe, and then suctioned from within the eye. Since the lens is part of the focussing mechanism of the eye, in order to restore clear vision, an artificial lens (Intraocular Lens Implant) is then surgically implanted inside the eye. Careful measurements are taken on the eye before surgery to allow the surgeon to choose the correct lens implant power to allow the patient to see clearly, hopefully without the need for glasses. Traditional 'monofocal' lens implants often provide clear, unaided distance vision, but do not allow the patient to read without glasses. The newest advance in lens implant technology is the 'multifocal' (Array) lens. This lens, when implanted in both eyes, allows a majority of patients to see clearly at both distance and near without glasses.

The Surgery

1. A very small "No Stitch" incision is made in the side of the cornea. Such an incision promotes fast and more comfortable recovery.

2. The bag of the lens is opened and a special ultrasonic probe (phacoemulsifier) removes the cloudy lens.

3. A small foldable artificial lens is inserted through the small incision to replace the cataract lens.

4. The final replacement lens is shown in place. It is not required to suture the small "No Stitch" incision.