Cataracts — and cataract surgery — are concerns that either you or a loved one are likely to consider at some point. Cataracts affect 25 million Americans, and that number grows every year. At Sambursky Eye & Esthetics, we provide expert cataract surgery with great outcomes; after over 35,000 completed cataract surgeries, our experienced cataract surgery team knows how to help. But for many, eye surgery of any kind can be a distressing option. Is there any other way to deal with cataracts besides surgery?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to get rid of cataracts without cataract surgery. Some ophthalmologists are exploring alternatives, but at this time, only cataract surgery can cure your cataracts. The good news is, that this quick and easy procedure — which involves replacing your eye’s natural lens with an artificial one — not only rids you of cataracts but ensures that you can never get them again.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are the clouding or blurring of your eye’s natural lens. Your lens is the flexible, clear tissue behind your pupil. Along with the cornea, the lens focuses light on your eyes. While the cornea does most of the work, the lens is responsible for the fine-tuned focusing that allows for clear vision.
Cataracts can have a number of causes, but the most common is natural aging. Over time, the microscopic components of your natural lenses can become less flexible and clump together. No matter the cause of your cataracts, the results are the same: these clumps in your lens can lead to blurry or cloudy vision.
What Will Happen If Cataracts Are Left Untreated?
While early stages of cataracts may not be noticeable, as they progress, you may experience symptoms including:
- Cloudy or blurry vision
- Degraded color perception
- Issues seeing contrast, especially at night
- Hypersensitivity to light and glare
- Warped vision, including halos around lights and double vision
Over time, these issues could lead to life-changing vision loss. Additionally, the longer cataracts go untreated, the more they “mature.” Mature and “hypermature” cataracts are more difficult to remove, and in some cases, surgery becomes impossible.
What Is Cataract Surgery?
To remove your cataracts, our highly experienced eye surgeons at Sambursky Eye & Esthetics perform cataract surgery, which involves the breakdown and removal of your natural lens. Afterward, your old, cloudy lens is replaced with a synthetic intraocular lens (IOL). Because they’re artificial, these IOLs cannot develop cataracts. They’re also resistant to other issues that affect the lens over time, like presbyopia.
Is Surgery Necessary to Get Rid of Cataracts?
While there is only one solution to cataracts, the good news is that it’s an excellent solution. Your cataracts will be removed, so the procedure completely addresses your cataracts. The replacement IOLs can’t get cataracts, meaning you’re future-proofed against them, as well. And because IOLs are so customizable, cataract surgery can improve your vision prescription on top of curing your cataracts, if that’s an option you want to explore with us.
Cataract Surgery at Sambursky Eye & Esthetics
At Sambursky Eye & Esthetics, we know that surgery of any kind can be a stressful proposition. We also know that coming to an experienced eye surgeon can alleviate a lot of that stress. Led by Daniel Sambursky, M.D., F.A.C.S., our team is proud to have completed over 35,000 cataract surgeries for our patients and bring that experience to each new surgery. We also use the latest technology — blade free, LenSx® laser cataract surgery — to provide extremely precise operations with minimal time needed for recovery.
From our exceptional staff to our cutting-edge procedures, Sambursky Eye & Esthetics can provide cataract surgery that gives you a clearer vision for life. Call us at (607) 200-3221 or request an appointment to learn more about your cataract-free future.
