Refractive and Cataract Surgery
Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss, mainly affecting people over the age of 60. This condition occurs when the eye's natural lens, which is normally transparent, begins to become opaque and rigid, making it difficult for light to pass through and causing blurred vision. Cataracts usually develop gradually, however, their progression can significantly interfere with quality of life, affecting daily activities such as reading, driving or seeing clearly.
What are Cataracts?
The crystalline lens is a natural lens of the eye that helps focus light on the retina, allowing for clear vision. With aging or due to factors such as the prolonged use of corticosteroids, trauma or some eye diseases, the lens begins to become cloudy, so that we cannot improve the patient's vision with glasses.
Symptoms of Cataracts
Cataracts can develop silently, but the most common symptoms include:
- Blurred or foggy vision
- Glare and halos around lights (especially when driving at night)
- Difficulty reading even with glasses
- Frequent change in eyeglass prescription
- Colors that seem more muted
Cataract Surgery: Procedure and Benefits
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest procedures in ophthalmology. It is performed on an outpatient basis, and recovery time is generally quick.
The most commonly used procedure is "phacoemulsification". During this surgery we make a millimetric incision in the cornea through which we introduce the necessary instruments to fragment the cataract by ultrasound and extract it by aspiration. In addition, to restore vision, an intraocular lens "IOL" is inserted to replace the crystalline lens.
Phaco-Refractive Surgery: Beyond Cataract
In our clinic, we not only treat cataracts, but we offer an advanced solution known as "phaco-refractive surgery", ideal for those patients who want to take advantage of cataract surgery to also correct refractive problems such as myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and even presbyopia.
Phaco-refractive surgery involves the use of "premium intraocular lenses," such as toric, multifocal, toric multifocal, monofocal plus, trifocal, extended-focus, or EDOF monofocal lenses, which not only restore vision lost to the cataract, but can also reduce or permanently eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses. These advanced IOLs allow:
- Correction of myopia and hyperopia: through an exhaustive examination we calculate the power of the lens that the patient requires to be left with a prescription as close to 0.00 as possible.
- Astigmatism Correction: Toric IOLs are designed to correct astigmatism, providing sharper and clearer vision, both far and near.
- Presbyopia correction: Multifocal or trifocal IOLs allow you to see at different distances, which is especially beneficial for patients seeking total independence from glasses for all distances.
Who is a Candidate for Phaco-Refractive Surgery?
Phaco-refractive surgery is ideal for those patients who not only want to eliminate cataracts, but also want to improve their quality of vision and reduce dependence on glasses or contact lenses. This option is especially beneficial for:
- People with cataracts who also have significant refractive errors.
- Patients who want an overall improvement in their vision (far, near and medium distance).
- People who, despite not having yet developed a cataract, are looking for a solution for presbyopia and blurred vision at a distance or near without depending on glasses.
The Process at Our Clinic
- Thorough evaluation: Before performing any type of surgery, we perform a comprehensive eye exam, which includes tests to measure the shape and dimensions of the eye, as well as its axial length. We use optical biometers, ultrasonics, corneal tomography and corneal aberration analysis to select not only the lens to be implanted but also how and where to make the incisions so that we obtain a result that is as accurate and predictable as possible.
- Personalized consultation: Depending on your visual needs and lifestyle, we will advise you on the different options of intraocular lenses. It is essential to perform a complete ophthalmological examination to rule out other eye pathologies that can influence the outcome and the satisfaction of our patients. Our team of surgeons has extensive experience in implanting custom IOLs to ensure the best results.
- Outpatient surgery: Cataract surgery and phaco-refractive surgery are performed under local anesthesia and light sedation. It is a quick procedure, usually less than 30 minutes and after a short recovery period the patient can go home.
Recovery and Aftercare
Visual recovery is usually rapid, with noticeable improvement in the first few days after surgery. Most patients can return to their normal daily activities within a week, although in certain more physical jobs, a longer rest period is recommended. We will provide you with detailed instructions for taking care of your eyes after surgery, including the use of anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drops to ensure optimal healing.
Cutting-Edge Technology
In our clinic, we use state-of-the-art surgical equipment and have a team of ophthalmologists specialized in cataract surgery and refractive surgery. We work with the most advanced equipment for lens fragmentation and customized intraocular lenses that offer the best possible visual quality.
Committed to Your Vision
Our goal is to offer you a comprehensive visual solution, whether through conventional cataract surgery or advanced phaco-refractive surgery. We are dedicated to improving your vision and quality of life, making sure you enjoy a safe, effective and personalized experience.
If you are experiencing blurred vision or cataract symptoms, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team of experts is here to advise and guide you through the process, from diagnosis to recovery, helping you regain clear, sharp vision.