Clear Solution Cataract Surgery Blurry Sight,

Blurry Sight,
Clear Solution
Cataract Surgery
Simplified for the
21st Century
By Michael L. Ham, M.D.
The statistics of cataracts across the
country are far from blurry. Today, more
than 50 percent of American adults over
the age of 60 suffer from cataracts. In
fact, cataracts are so common that virtually all people will develop a cataract if
they live long enough. The good news is
that cataracts can be removed easily, and
without pain.
Do you suffer from cataracts? How
can you tell?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of
the eye. Much like the lens of a camera focuses on film, the lens of your eye
focuses light on the retina to form an
image. If your lens becomes dirty or
fogged, the image on your retina will be
blurred because light was unable to pass
to the back of your eye clearly.
Clouding happens slowly, and is typically unnoticeable. But as time passes,
colors may not appear vivid. Glare
may bother you both in bright sunlight
and at night. Or it may seem as if your
glasses are always dirty. All are signs of
cataracts.
A complete eye examination can determine whether surgery would be beneficial and safe. In some cases, symptoms will improve with new eyeglasses,
brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses,
or magnifying lenses. But, if these measures do not help, surgery is necessary.
Once a cataract is diagnosed, the decision for treatment is ultimately yours.
Dr. Michael Ham, M.D., FACS, of Kokopelli Eye Care, suggests that a cataract
only be removed if vision loss interferes
with activities like driving or reading.
Or, it should be removed if the cataract
is affecting your eye health. With that in
mind, Dr. Ham suggests, “Even though
most cataracts aren’t dangerous to your
eye health, they can be dangerous to
your safety if you cannot see clearly.”
What does cataract surgery look like
in the 21st Century?
Kokopelli Eye Care uses the most advanced techniques and equipment. For
patients, cataract surgery is quick and
virtually pain-free.It starts with a tiny
incision. Then an instrument, about
the size of pen tip, is inserted, breaking the cataract into small particles to
be removed. Finally, an artificial lens is
inserted (known as an intraocular lens,
or IOL) to restore your vision.
The entire surgery usually takes Dr.
Ham less than 10 minutes and is typically performed without shots (only an
anesthetic drop), without stitches and
without a patch, except for the first 48
hours of sleep. Most patients report
no pain and return to normal activities
the day after surgery. However some
minor side affects such as scratching
and tearing can occur during the first
12-24 hours.
Yes, cataracts are common. However, seeing clearly again is also common.
Just ask one of Dr. Ham’s former patients. Having performed over 4,500
cataract procedures in the last seven
years, it’s not difficult to find a clear
perspective on cataract surgery.
If you want more information about
cataracts, or any other questions regarding
the health of your eyes, call or stop by a Kokopelli Eye Care location, 412 Whipple,
Prescott (928) 771-9000 or 2820 North
Glassford Hill Road, Prescott Valley (928)
775-5606.