Cataract and RLE
Blurry Vision | Near-sightedness | Farsightedness
What is Cataract
A cataract is a condition where the normally clear eye lens is clouded. It can interfere with a person’s ability to carry out usual activities easily, like driving a car, having difficulty reading, etc. Although very common in people above 60 years of age, it can also be found in some younger children. Some babies are even born with congenital cataracts.
Cataracts can be found in one or both eyes at the same time. If left untreated for long, it can result in blindness.
Cataract surgery involves breaking up the affected lens using ultrasound, laser, or micro-incision technique, removing the broken pieces from the eye, and inserting an artificial replacement lens accurately in the eye. The procedure lasts for about thirty minutes.
RLE, or Refractive Lens Exchange, uses the same technique to remove a dysfunctional natural eye lens (without cataracts) and replace it with IOL or an artificial intraocular lens to correct vision.
Are You the Right Candidate for Cataract/RLE Surgery?
If you have blurry vision or want to get rid of contact lenses or glasses for good, cataract/RLE surgery is the answer to all your problems. However, surgery is not recommended for you if you have a detached retina, advanced macular degeneration, and are less than 21 years of age.
For Cataract Surgery:
- Blurry vision, increased color distortion, or impaired depth perception
- No medical conditions that interfere with wound healing
- Patients with autoimmune diseases
- Patients with lupus, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, or glaucoma
For RLE Surgery:
- Around 40 years or older
- Stable vision for at least six months
- No history of eye disease
- Do not qualify for laser vision correction treatments like LASIK
Estimated Cost Involved
Cataract surgery’s cost depends on a few factors like the condition of the eye, whether only one or both eyes are affected, etc. However, the costs average around $1600 – $3500 per eye. Some insurances do cover this condition and can thereby help you attain good vision without any extra cost.
RLE surgery usually costs higher than cataract surgery. The average cost can range anywhere between $2500 to $4500 per eye. Since this is an optional treatment, insurance might not cover it. However, we do offer varied payment options.
Procedures
Istent Extraction
FAQ's
Both these procedures basically involve the same process where the natural lens of your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens. However, RLE is an elective procedure that is performed to decrease the need for corrective glasses, and cataract surgery is performed for an inadequate vision that interferes with day-to-day activities.
The basic ones include increased light sensitivity for the first few weeks, difficulty in seeing at night, driving at night, and functioning adequately in low lighting conditions. Sometimes, you may also see rings or halos around lights and glare at night.
Both Cataract and RLE surgery can take about 30 minutes. There’s a pre and post-op recovery period for which you’ll have to have at least 2-3 hours of spare time on your hand.
Performed under the effect of anesthesia, patients can barely feel any pain or discomfort during their surgery. Mild eye irritation symptoms in the first few hours post-surgery are normal. Your doctor may prescribe you ibuprofen to get through a day or two after the procedure.
All the side effects usually vanish within a day or two. However, it can take 4-6 weeks for your vision to recover fully.
Monofocal – Focuses on near-sightedness or far-sightedness, not both.
Multifocal – You can read and see as near and far as possible without the use of any glasses. Can correct astigmatism.
Yes, in most cases, patients can get both their eyes treated on the same day. Do consult with your personal doctor before opting for this option, though.
We recommend taking the rest of the day off. The ideal time off should be 48 hours. Also, don’t forget to get someone to drive you home post-surgery.