Cataracts

Southern California Eye Consultants at the Cataract and Glaucoma Institute of Orange County

A cataract affects the lens of the eye by clouding it and affecting vision. The lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein. The protein keeps the lens clear so that light can pass through it. The aging process can cause the protein to clump together and cloud the lens. As the cataract grows, the lens gets cloudier.

Read Dr. Yomtoob’s Cataract Surgery Guide:

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are usually age related; by age 70 most Americans have either had a cataract or had cataract surgery. Cataracts can occur in one or both eyes but they do not spread from eye to eye.

Treating Cataracts

The first step to treat the early symptoms of a cataract is to get a new eyeglass or contact prescription, use brighter lighting, wear anti-glare sunglasses or use magnifying lenses.

Cataracts and Your Vision

Cataracts cloud the lens that lies behind the iris and the pupil. As a cataract grows it clouds more of the lens and makes it progressively harder to see.

Laser Cataract Surgery

Dr. David Yomtoob was one of the first surgeons in California to perform laser cataract surgery, which is a new blade free procedure. It uses an FDA-approved Femtosecond laser that provides leading edge accuracy because each incision is mapped using the on-board computer.

Understanding Presbyopia

Presbyopia As we grow into our 40s or 50s, our natural lens loses some of its flexibility, which makes it difficult for us to focus on objects that are close to us.

Your Lens Implant Options

An intraocular lens (IOL) is a man-made lens that is implanted inside the eye, usually where the natural lens had been. A small self-sealing incision is made in your cornea for the procedure that includes removing the cataract and implanting the IOL.

Cataract Surgery and Astigmatism

Astigmatism is an eye condition that leads to blurry vision at all distances. This occurs because the shape of the cornea is more like half of a football rather than half of a basketball.

How is Cataract Surgery Performed

Cataract surgery is the only way to cure a cataract. Light or “Twilight” sedation is usually given by an anesthesiologist, and eye drops are used to numb they eye.

Preparing for Cataract Surgery

A few days or weeks before your surgery, your eye specialist will do some tests such as measuring the curve of the cornea as well as the size and shape of your eye. These measurements help your eye specialist choose the best intraocular lens (IOL) for you.

What to Expect after Cataract Surgery

Once the cataract surgery is over, your eye specialist team will monitor you for any problems. You should be able to go home the same day as the cataract surgery but you will need someone to drive you.