Miami & Ft. Lauderdale Cataract Surgery Specialists

The surgeons of the Laser Eye Center of Miami are gifted Miami cataract surgery specialists. They offer the newest technology IOLs (intraocular lenses) and the most advanced surgical techniques to their patients. In the paragraphs below they describe cataracts and the cataract surgery procedure to restore sight.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens inside the eye. This lens works like the lens in a camera. It is located just behind the iris which is the colored part of the eye. It focuses the image in the retina which sends it to the brain.  The human lens is made mostly of protein and water. The protein keeps the lens clear and lets light pass through it. With age some of the protein may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens which causes blurry vision. With time it grows denser and as it does it makes it harder for images to focus on the retina.

Most cataracts are age related. However, there are other types of cataract:

• Secondary cataract. Cataracts can form after surgery for other eye problems, such as glaucoma. Cataracts also can develop in people who have other health problems, such as diabetes, or due to prolonged steroid use.
• Traumatic cataract. Cataracts can develop after an eye injury, sometimes years later.
• Congenital cataract. In some cases babies are born with cataracts or develop them in childhood, often in both eyes. These cataracts may be so small that they do not affect vision. If they do, the lenses may need to be removed.
• Radiation cataract. Cataracts can develop after exposure to some types of radiation.

What can be done?

Cataracts can be surgically removed in an outpatient procedure. For this type of surgery the eye is anesthetized with drops, a small incision is made, ultrasound is used to remove the cataract and an intraocular lens is inserted. The majority of patients are awake during surgery, but a mild sedative is given to them to relax them.  After surgery, the vision is slightly blurry but clears rapidly. In most of the cases normal activities can be resumed one day after surgery. Cataract surgery is very successful. More than 95 percent of people who have their cataracts removed have no complications and enjoy improved vision.

When is the best time for cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is an elective procedure. The decision to have cataract surgery is one that the patient and the eye doctor should make together. In most cases, waiting to have surgery won't harm your eye. However, considering the benefits of this procedure it is a step most of our patients take once they’re diagnosed.
The decision is usually based on how much the cataract affects your life.
The following are common complaints of patients with cataracts.
The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

• Cloudy or blurry vision.
• Colors seem faded.
• Glare. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright. A halo may appear around lights.
• Poor night vision.
• Inability to drive at night.
• Can’t read for prolonged periods of time.
• Double vision or multiple images in one eye. (This symptom may clear as the cataract gets larger.)
• Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses. 

Since these can be a sign of other eye problems, if you have any of these symptoms you should be checked by an eye care professional.

Your Options:
One of the benefits of cataract surgery today, is the fact that there is more than one choice available when it comes to the lens to be implanted. There is the option of single-vision (monofocal) lens implants and the multifocal lens.

1.State-of-the-art ReZoom™ and ReSTOR® lenses have been specially designedwith multifocal zones that provide good vision at near, far and in between.

2.Single-vision (monofocal) and Toric lens implants which correct distance vision and requires the use of reading glasses. The Toric IOL simultaneously corrects astigmatism, an irregularity in the surface of the cornea.

3.Monovision, where the lenses are correctedfor distance in one and near theother eye.

In addition to being gifted cataract surgeons, our surgeons are also well known as Miami and Ft. Lauderdale LASIK specialists. Please visit this page to learn more about this procedure.

 

Testimonials

The correction of my vision has opened a whole world for me. I’m able to see small details: like the time on my alarm clock, a pin on the floor and the petals of flowers. Dr. Kurstin and his staff of professionals have made my dreams come true.
God bless them all

Janet Abbas, corrected with Rezoom lens

I was one of those individuals who had given up any chance of ever going without glasses. I was miserable on rainy days, and frustrated every time I got out of my air conditioned car; due to my fogged up glasses. I hated wearing my finger smudged glasses; which would happen anytime I accidentally touched them. I was told on several :occasions that I was not a candidate for eye correction. I had given up hope altogether. As a teacher my eye sight is extremely important, and glasses are not helpful on various occasions. I remember once my glasses broke and how I suffered all day in blindness until school was over and the opportunity to fix them finally came. But now I no longer have to deal with those type of problems, and my eye sight is as good as it was when I was younger. Thanks to Dr. Joseph Kurstin and His professional staff at the Laser Eye Clinic at 1661 S.W. 37th Ave. in Miami FL.. It was simple, painless, and extremely quick. The staff are patient, professional, and courteous above all else. Its easy to see that your concerns are their priorities, and how quickly they respond to each concern. I have no regrets, and no reservations about recommending anyone to the Laser Eye Clinic, and Dr. Joseph Kurstin. I am going swimming today and I won't be wearing glasses for the first time in years. Also my wife is now a candidate and will be having hers done in the next month. I am seeing the world with a new set of eyes, so don't struggle anymore and why wait any longer?

Tony Stout, corrected with Rezoom lens