Cataract Lens Implant Options in San Antonio
The Personalized Approach
We will customize a plan and lens that fits your individual eye health needs, budget, and lifestyle goals.
1
Light-Adjustable Lens (LAL)
The first and only lens that can be adjusted in the eye, after cataract surgery. Precise UV light treatments adjust the shape of the Light Adjustable Lens, giving you truly custom vision best suited for your unique lifestyle needs.
2
Multifocal/Toric
Multifocal lenses work like an “in-house” bifocal lens for the eye to accurately distribute light at any distance, creating clear vision at any distance. Toric lenses correct for significant astigmatism, and offer precise astigmatism correction and high-quality vision at all distances.
3
Monofocal
A monofocal lens provides the clearest vision at one distance. It is set to focus for up close, medium range or distance vision. Most people have them set for clear distance vision.
Light-Adjustable Lens (LAL)
1
Customization.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the only FDA approved lens that enables you and your doctor to design, trial, and customize your vision after cataract surgery. Accounting for lens shift and refractive changes during the healing process, the results can be more precise than ever to achieve the best possible outcome for your unique lifestyle needs
2
Precision.
The LAL offers LASIK-like accuracy in cataract surgery. The LAL corrects down to 0.5 diopters of astigmatism, which is the lowest level approved to be treated. Studies have shown that patients who received the LAL were almost twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses compared to cataract patients who have monofocal lens implants.
3
Ease.
The LAL greatly lessens dependency of glasses or contacts post surgery, as your vision will be fine tuned for clear vision at multiple distances. This is done non-invasively using ultraviolet (UV) light. No LASIK or any other laser vision correction surgery.
1
Versatility.
Multifocal lenses allow patients to enjoy clearer vision from a wide range of distances. Patients will have the option to see from near, intermediate, and far distances. Your brain will quickly learn to adjust to the correct focus depending upon your individual activity.
Multifocal Lens
2
Multi-funtional.
For patients with astigmatism, specialty toric multifocal lenses are available for full range correction. This significantly reduces the need for eyeglasses or contact lenses for everyday activities, providing greater convenience and visual freedom.
3
Quality.
With improved visual acuity at multiple distances, individuals who receive multifocal lenses often experience an enhanced quality of life, enjoying activities such as reading, using digital devices, and participating in various hobbies without visual limitations.
1
Astigmatism correction.
Toric lenses are designed much like a standard lens, but with a specific curvature created to correct for significant astigmatism. These lenses are carefully measured and tailored to the individual’s eye shape during surgery to provide optimum vision correction.
Toric Lens
2
Personalized sight.
Toric lenses can provide clear vision at all distances, reducing the need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery. Choosing the best lens means considering several factors, such as lifestyle, visual needs, and budget.
3
Advanced correction.
Patients with mild-to-moderate grades of corneal disease which has been stable over time, and who have underdone corneal surgery are also suitable candidates for customized or conventional toric lenses. They may also be suitable in patients with stable astigmatism due to corneal scars, pterygium excision, and corneal tear repairs.
1
Tailored.
A monofocal lens corrects vision to a single focal distance. A far, intermediate, or near distance may be chosen based on ones own individual lifestyle needs. Monofocal IOLs provide predictable and reliable outcomes, with many patients achieving improved visual acuity post-surgery.
Monofocal lens
2
Monovision.
Monovision correction, in which one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision, is possible with a monofocal. This approach can help reduce the need for glasses for certain activities but may require an adjustment period for the brain to adapt.
3
Clarity.
Impairment of cataracts is corrected. While monofocal IOLs can significantly improve vision at the selected focal point, patients may still require glasses or contact lenses for activities that fall outside the specific range of vision provided by the lens.
Schedule A Cataract Consultation.
FAQs
-
Not everyone develops cataracts or needs cataract surgery. By the age of 80, at least half of your peers will already have or had cataracts.
-
It’s time to think about cataract surgery when your vision and daily activities are becoming impaired, including trouble reading or driving. Noticing glare that prevents you from driving, especially at night, is also a sign that it may be time for surgery. Blurriness, distortion, and difficulty perceiving contrast are also signs to visit your eye doctor for an exam and talk about cataract removal.
-
The most common type of cataract surgery, called phacoemulsification, takes as little as ten minutes to access the lens by traditional or laser incision, break it up, remove it, and insert a replacement lens or IOL. The total visit on the day of surgery is usually about two-and-a-half hours.
-
In addition to permanently restoring your vision quality, early cataract surgery, performed on immature cataracts, can be simpler with a shorter recovery. Avoid waiting until they reach the hyper-mature stage, when your vision is significantly affected as the surgery will be more complicated.
-
With no other conditions, cataract surgery including a replacement IOL can give you 20/20 vision. Depending on which option you choose, you may still need glasses both for distance and near to achieve 20/20 vision.
-
Sometimes, we can improve a patient’s vision temporarily by updating their eyeglass prescription. However, there is no way to reverse cataracts without surgery. Cataracts develop naturally over time and tens of millions of people have cataract surgery each year because it’s their best option for restoring clear sight.
-
Recovery from cataract surgery is fairly quick in most cases. Patients should expect blurred vision right after the surgery though with improvement over the course of about one week. Redness or bruising on the eye is normal as well which will improve over a few days. You’ll visit the doctor after about a day to check on progress, and be fully recovered, in most cases, within a month. Patients must also avoid lifting anything weighing over 20 pounds and bending at the waist for 1 week after surgery.
Once you have undergone cataract surgery, your vision should start becoming clearer within a few days. During the recovery time, your eyes will gradually adjust to your IOL, meaning that your vision might be a little blurry as your eyes heal. However, your vision will clear up with time, and any discomfort will go away as you recover. Most patients’ eyes typically heal within two weeks after surgery.
-
Patients who have cataract surgery do not say that it was painful. Most say that they experienced some discomfort.
-
No, your vision loss is not permanent. During cataract surgery, your surgeon will remove the natural lens and replace it with an artificial one. The lens is what allows you to have clear vision after cataract surgery.