Southern California Cataract Procedures

Cataract removal surgery can be performed in three different ways, depending on the specific needs of the patient. Since there are no specific medical criteria in place that pinpoint the moment at which surgery is needed, it is up to the patient to determine when surgical intervention should take place. Generally, patients choose one of two paths. The first is to remove the cataract in its early stages, before it grows and spreads and interferes with quality of life. The second is to wait until the condition affects everyday living. While there's no right way or wrong way, the first approach is usually recommended, since it preempts any possible complications from developing.

Surgical Cataract Removal Techniques Used in Los Angeles

The first surgical technique used in cataract removal is known as extracapsular surgery. During this procedure, the eye lens affected by cataract growth is removed and replaced with a synthetic substitute.

However, extracapsular surgery has its limitations. Thus, phacoemulsification (and its cousin, clear-corneal phacoemulsification) were developed. These techniques use sound waves (technically known as ultrasonic fragmentation) to destabilize the hard nucleus in the eye. Clear-corneal phacoemulsification is a more advanced form of the surgery, which doesn't deliver anesthetics using painful injections. It requires no stitches and removes cataracts with microscopic precision via tiny self-healing incisions that are usually less than one-eighth of an inch in size.

The technique that's best-suited to any particular individual varies, and prospective patients should consult an experienced doctor to learn more. In the Los Angeles area, the renowned doctors at the Maloney Vision Institute are acclaimed specialists in the fields of extracapsular surgery and clear-corneal phacoemulsification.