Cataract surgery is a highly effective, life-changing procedure that can restore your vision and improve your quality of life. With more than 2.5 million cataract cases in Canada, cataract treatment ensures our aging population’s lifestyle quality.
Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens becomes clouded, causing vision to become blurry and dull. They can develop due to aging, injury, or medical conditions like diabetes.
As cataracts progress, they can significantly impair daily activities, leading to near and distance vision loss. Eventually, your eye doctor’s office may suggest cataract surgery.
LASIK, on the other hand, is a surgical procedure that corrects refractive errors like myopia and astigmatism. It involves reshaping the cornea to improve the eye’s ability to focus light, resulting in clearer vision without the need for corrective eyewear. While LASIK and cataract surgery are both eye procedures, they address different issues and are not interchangeable. It’s important to consult with an eye doctor to determine which procedure is suitable for your specific condition and needs.
Cataract surgery is a safe, effective, and relatively quick outpatient procedure. The steps involved in the surgery are as follows:
Anesthesia: The patient receives local anesthesia and sedation to ensure comfort during the procedure.
Corneal Incision: The surgeon creates a small incision in the cornea at the beginning of cataract surgery, allowing access to the lens.
Lens Removal: The cloudy lens is broken up using ultrasound energy (phacoemulsification) and removed through the incision.
Intraocular Lens (IOL) Implantation: An artificial lens, called an IOL, is inserted through the incision and positioned within the lens capsule.
Incision Closure: The corneal incision is typically self-sealing and does not require stitches.
Develop a plan to receive the treatment that's right for you.
Dr. Conlon provides a procedure that meets your vision goals.
We ensure you can enjoy your results as quickly as possible.
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in many industrialized countries, including cataract surgeries that can be traditional or phacoemulsification-based, also known as manual cataract surgery. This method involves:
Traditional cataract surgery offers many benefits, including:
Numerous studies attest to the well-established efficacy, safety, and effectiveness of conventional cataract surgery. It has a high success rate; the majority of patients see meaningfully better vision. Traditional cataract surgery is efficient, effective and safe.
Despite the advantages, traditional cataract surgery has its potential risks and complications. Some of these include:
Silver and Gold are done at Conlon Eye Institute, with both eyes treated on the same day under IV sedation with an anesthetist on site. The IV goes in your hand or arm, usually the hand. ORA intraoperative aberrometry measures your eye during surgery to help confirm lens power. If a laser enhancement is needed within one year, there’s no charge. Fewer than 3% of patients need one. Silver and Gold reduce your dependence on glasses, but you may still need reading glasses, and being completely glasses-free isn’t guaranteed.
Most patients notice vision improvements within a few days. Full recovery typically takes four to six weeks, so follow your post-operative instructions closely.
To help your recovery, it is advisable to:
Generally, a full recovery can be expected within four to six weeks.
If you have astigmatism, a toric lens (Eyhance toric or PanOptix Toric) can reduce it at the time of cataract surgery. With these lenses, ORA intraoperative aberrometry measures your eye during surgery to help confirm the most accurate lens power.
The lens you choose affects how much you rely on glasses after surgery. Premium lenses, such as multifocal or toric lenses, can offer improved vision correction and reduce the need for eyeglasses after the procedure. However, the use of premium lenses is usually not covered by insurance, so patients may experience higher out-of-pocket costs compared to traditional cataract surgery, which involves replacing the cloudy natural lens.
In Saskatchewan, standard cataract surgery is covered by MSB. At Conlon Eye Institute, that’s our Bronze option with a standard monofocal lens (Tecnis DCB00). Premium lens options aren’t covered by MSB: Silver (Eyhance toric lens) is $2,900 per eye, and Gold (PanOptix or PanOptix Toric) is $3,900 per eye.
While MSB covers standard cataract surgery, you’re responsible for the cost of a premium lens if you choose one to reduce your dependence on glasses.
When choosing a cataract surgery option, consider whether you need astigmatism correction, how much you want to reduce your reliance on glasses, and cost.
If you’re considering a premium lens, some factors to weigh include:
Ultimately, patients should carefully consider their individual needs, preferences, and financial circumstances when choosing a cataract surgery option.
To achieve optimal results and recovery from cataract surgery, post-surgery care is essential. Here are some tips for post-surgery care:
Following these guidelines will help ensure a successful recovery from cataract surgery.
Should you experience any side effects or complications following cataract surgery, promptly notifying your ophthalmologist is vital. With proper care and adherence to your doctor’s instructions, you can expect a full recovery within four to six weeks after the procedure.
Cataract surgery is an effective way to treat cataracts. Dr. Conlon will help you weigh astigmatism correction, lens options and cost so you can choose the option that suits you. By making an informed decision and following proper post-surgery care, you can enjoy improved vision and a better quality of life.
