"Mini-Incision" Cataract Surgery
The Latest Advancement in the Treatment of Cataracts

Last year, more than one million persons underwent cataract surgery in the United States. Cataracts continue to be the leading cause of vision loss among adults.

What are Cataracts?
In the same way that the lens of a camera focuses light on the film inside of the camera, the eye's natural lens works to focus light on the retina in the back of the eye. When the normally clear natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, then light and images cannot pass clearly to the retina. The vision is blurred. This cloudy lens in the eye is called a cataract.

How Do You Know If You Have Cataracts?
Cataracts can affect the vision in many ways. The common signs of cataracts are:
  • Vision is blurry or hazy
  • Eyes are sensitive to light and glare
  • Reading is more difficult
  • Colors appear faded or dull
  • Night driving is more difficult
  • Breakthrough in Technology
In the constantly changing area of eye care, Mini-Incision Cataract Surgery is the latest advancement in the treatment of cataracts. Using advanced ultrasonic technology, the cataract is shattered with ultra-sound vibrations and then removed. The wonder of this new technology is that it is performed through a tiny incision measuring about three millimeters (less than 1/8 inch). This is about one fourth the size of the incision required in the traditional method for removing cataracts. A new foldable lens implant can then be inserted through the tiny incision.

Advantages of Mini-Incision Cataract Surgery
Because the incision is so much smaller with the Mini-Incision technique, there are significant safety benefits to the patient, including less risk of infections and hemorrhage. Furthermore, patients usually may resume normal activities the following day. Quicker recovery of vision, often without the need for glasses, is another important benefit of Mini-Incision Cataract Surgery over the older methods.

Thus, for the more than one million patients who will need cataract surgery this year, a proven new technique is now available. Mini-Incision Cataract Surgery can restore sight safer and quicker than the older methods.