If you are experiencing the onset of cataracts you know how difficult seeing can be. You may be struggling with night vision or you might not be able to tell the difference between pairs of socks. You may even have sensitivity to sunlight. Fortunately, cataract surgery can help you to regain what you’ve lost, both in terms of your vision and your quality of life. Now, a technological breakthrough is available for use in cataract surgery. The Eye Physicians of Long Beach will be among the first practices in the United States to have this breakthrough technology. The Eye Physicians of Long Beach will be serving the areas of Orange County, Long Beach, Huntington Beach and the greater Los Angeles area with new laser cataract surgery technology.
The LenSx® laser has recently received FDA approval for use in cataract surgery and allows our surgeons to perform a blade-free laser version of cataract surgery. This is the same femtosecond laser technology that has been used for over a decade in Blade-FREE LASIK eye surgery. This femtosecond technology will allow surgeons to make an opening into the lens, create corneal incisions, correct astigmatism and perform lens fragmentation by using a laser versus a blade.
When you choose to have your surgery performed with this LenSx® laser, you’ll enjoy a truly innovative solution that allows for customization in cataract surgery. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser allows the surgeon to plan and perform your surgery to exact individualized specifications, not attainable with past cataract surgery methods.
With the LenSx® laser, you can move forward with confidence knowing that you’ve chosen the most advanced technology available for this life-changing procedure, one that enables a customized cataract surgery experience. If you are seeking an Orange County cataract surgeon consider choosing the most advanced cataract surgery technology available right here at Eye Physicians of Long Beach.
LenSx® laser offers you a precision based solution for cataract surgery. A bladeless, computer-controlled laser surgery planned and performed to exact individualized specifications, not attainable with other surgical methods.
Your eyes can be compared to snowflakes! While all human eyes share the same basic anatomical structure, every eye is just a bit different in terms of size, depth, curvature of the cornea and other key features. Which is why every eye must be carefully measured and mapped prior to cataract surgery.
While these measurements have been routinely performed prior to surgery, the LenSx® laser uses a range of highly-advanced technologies – including integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) – to capture incredibly precise, high-resolution images of your eyes. These images – and the measurements and data they provide – are then used to plan and perform a surgery to exacting specifications not attainable with traditional surgery.
During both traditional cataract surgery and femtosecond bladeless cataract surgery, the cataract is removed and a new lens is required. You will need to understand what your lens implant options. Fortunately, premium lens implant technology is now available to help you see without glasses at near, far and intermediate distances. Please see our ophthalmology website pages on premium lens implants. You may also choose to consult one of our staff regarding premium lens implants options based on your unique visual requirements.
Bladeless Cataract Surgery is performed at Reagan Street Surgery Center and does not take any longer than traditional cataract surgery. You will most likely be in surgery for 20-25 minutes. Like traditional cataract surgery, you should arrive about an hour prior to surgery. Upon arrival, you will be given a mild sedative to relax. Although the surgery takes only minutes, plan to spend 2 to 3 hours at the center for the preoperative steps and for recovery.
The LenSx® laser provides patients with computer-controlled precision as it automates some of the most challenging steps of refractive cataract surgery. The laser replaces the traditional hand-held blade to optimize all incisions for enhanced, reproducible surgical performance. This breakthrough technology provides the surgeon with real-time three-dimensional visualization for true customization of your lens replacement procedure. In addition to using the femtosecond laser to do many of the surgical steps traditionally performed by hand, our doctors still use many of the best innovations in cataract surgery, such as drops, only anesthesia (no shots), sutureless incisions through the clear cornea and foldable intraocular lenses. These advances allow us to use the smallest possible incision, approximately 1/18th of an inch.
Most patients are concerned about the cataract surgery recovery process. The doctors at Eye Physicians of Long Beach provide the best quality care and thoroughly explain what you can expect after cataract surgery. Recovery from cataract surgery is generally very quick. Most patients obtain better vision within the first 24 hours of the procedure. Itching and mild discomfort are normal after cataract surgery. Some fluid discharge is also common. Your eye may be sensitive to light and touch. If you have discomfort, your doctor can suggest treatment. After one or two days, any moderate discomfort should disappear. Complete visual recovery varies from patient to patient but most patients return to their everyday activities within a day or two. If you have cataracts in both eyes, the second procedure will most likely be scheduled within a week or two. Your doctor will schedule exams to check on your progress. Each person heals differently so it is important to discuss the cataract surgery recovery with your eye doctor.
For a few days after surgery, your doctor may ask you to use eye drops to help with healing and to decrease the risk of infection. Ask your cataract eye doctor about how to use your eye drops, how often to use them, and what effects they can have. You will need to wear an eye shield or eyeglasses to help protect your eye. Avoid rubbing or pressing on your eye.
Serious complications are extremely rare but because it is a form of surgery, there are some potential risks involved. Our staff and cataract surgeons will provide you with additional information about the risks associated with cataract surgery and answer any of the questions you may have.
In addition to offering the most advanced surgical technology, we are pleased to offer these additional technologies to enhance your visual outcome
The ORA System™ utilizes intraoperative wavefront aberrometer, similar to the technology that has made LASIK a customized, precise procedure. A low-intensity beam of laser light is directed into the eye. The laser light reflects off the patient’s retina and sensors in the aberrometer measure optical characteristics in the reflected light.
It gives the surgeon an accurate, real-time measurement of the eye’s focusing capabilities at any time during surgery. That helps your surgeon choose the best intraocular lens power and astigmatism correction. Giving the patient the best possible results. It truly is revolutionary and the difference is clear.
Now, during the procedure, your surgeon can take measurements of your eye. ORA measurements are taken after the clouded cataract is removed, when the surgeon has a clear view, allowing him to tailor the procedure to your individual eye and refine your visual outcome.
Eye Physicians of Long Beach is proud to offer patients the new VERION™ Image Guided System. The VERION™ Image Guided System is designed to help your surgeon customize and perform a procedure tailored specifically to your eyes with computer accuracy.
The VERION™ Image Guided System allows your Long Beach cataract surgeon to use high-resolution images of your eye and other critical information throughout your entire procedure with image-guided precision. The system is designed to assist your surgeon in providing the visual results you desire and deserve.
