Cataract Surgery in Redondo Beach, CA

What are Cataracts?

More than fifty percent of people over the age of 60, as well as some people who are younger, suffer from cataracts. A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens that interferes with light passing through to the retina. Currently, there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent cataracts. Once they form, they must be removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) implant.

Why is Cataract Surgery Performed?

The lens of your eye may become cloudy over time, which eventually affects your vision. This cloudiness is caused by a cataract.

Cataracts can cause blurry vision and increase the glare from lights. If a cataract makes it difficult for you to carry out your normal activities, DOCTOR may suggest cataract surgery.

When Should I Consider Cataract Surgery?

The progression of your cataracts will determine if surgery is needed.

You may consider surgery if:

• If your cataracts are causing difficulties with daily activities
• If you have difficulty reading or watching television
• If it impairs your driving
• If your independence suffers because of your vision
• If you find it hard to do your job
• If bright lights make it more difficult to see

Talk with Dr. Hecht to see if it is the right decision for you.

Cataract Surgery

At the Hecht Eye Institute, cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and takes only minutes. Patients can then go home, rest in comfort, and avoid the inconvenience and expense of staying in the hospital. There have been many advances in cataract surgery techniques and IOL technology in recent years. With over one million procedures performed each year, many patients now experience a quality of vision that is even better than before they developed cataracts.

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed medical treatment for people 65 and older in the United States. Once a cataract reduces your vision, there are no medications, eye drops, glasses or exercises that will reverse it.

Cataract surgery, through a tiny incision, is the only way to remove a cataract. The cataract is fragmented and removed with gentle suction, and a new, permanent lens (an intraocular lens implant) is put in its place.

How is Cataract Surgery Performed?

BEFORE

• Dr. Hecht will measure your eye to determine the right type of lens implant
• Antibiotic eyedrops may be prescribed for use one or two days before
• You may be asked to stop taking medications prior to the surgery
• You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything 12 hours before
• Cataract surgery is performed while you are awake, so you will be given a calming medication that will mildly sedate you
• You will receive special numbing gel and eye drops, so that you won’t feel any discomfort

DURING

• The surgery takes less than an hour to perform
• The clouded lens is removed and a clear artificial lens is usually implanted
• There are several techniques to help with cataracts
  • Break up the lens prior to removal: All-incision cataract surgery is the most common type of cataract removal where the surgeon makes a very small opening on the eye, next to the outer corner. A tiny probe gives off ultrasound waves to dissolve the hard part of the cloudy lens and then its removed.
  • Remove lens in one piece: Another surgical technique used less often requires a larger incision to remove the front capsule of the lens and the cloudy lens comprising the cataract in one piece.

AFTER

• You will need a ride home after the surgery
• Your vision may be blurry at first
• Expect your vision to begin improving within a few days
• You will likely get eye drops or medications to prevent or control inflammation, infection or high pressure of the eye
• An eye shield is also recommended at bedtime to protect the operated eye
• You will see your doctor for follow-up visits to see how your eye is healing and if your vision improving
• Complications after cataract surgery are uncommon, and most can be treated successfully. These risks may include inflammation, infection, bleeding, swelling, or other complications related to other eye disorders.

What is an Intraocular Lens (IOL)?

An intraocular lens is what is implanted during cataract surgery. There are several types of lenses available to you.

The type of lens that you choose will be based on your lifestyle and your surgeon’s recommendations.
You may consider if you drive at night, if you rely on near vision, the shape of your eye, or if you have other eye diseases.

Some common lenses include monofocal, multifocal, extended depth of focus, accommodative, or toric lenses. These all help to resolve various eye problems. Dr. Hecht can help determine which is the right fit for you. All lenses are made of silicone, acrylic, or other plastic compositions.

As you plan for your cataract surgery, talk to Dr. Hecht about your vision needs and expectations. He or she will explain IOL options for you in more detail and make sure you feel confident moving forward.

Cataract removal is one of the safest and most effective surgical procedures. In fact, more than 3 million cataract surgeries are performed each year with Dr. Hecht performing hundreds of them annually.

Surgery uses no sutures, involves no bleeding, and is virtually painless. Dr. Hecht performs the surgery in the South Bay/Torrance, Marina del Rey and Beverly Hills areas. Although visual recovery may rarely take up to several months to stabilize, most people can resume normal activities within a day or two.