What are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. Your eye becomes like a window that is frosted or yellowed. As a result, light inside the eye is scattered before it can focus on the retina, and vision becomes blurry or dark. Some people begin experiencing the early effects of cataracts (such as a gradual loss of near vision) in their mid-40s. By age 65, a large percentage of us will develop a cataract, most often typified by cloudy/fuzzy vision and problems seeing in low-light environments.
Developing a cataract doesn’t mean a permanent loss of vision quality, or having to give up the things you love, because cataract surgery is a safe, effective way to improve your vision. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States, with well Performed almost exclusively on an outpatient basis, cataract surgery is microsurgery, whereby the natural lens is removed and replaced with what is called an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is extremely successful and Dr. Crews is a highly skilled cataract surgeon who has helped thousands of patients with cataracts to regain their best vision in the Pacific Northwest including Vancouver, WA and Portland & Central Oregon.
When is cataract surgery needed?
Surgery to remove cataracts is indicated when blurred vision interferes with enjoyment of activities that are important to you. Cataract surgery may be needed if you have trouble reading, enjoying hobbies, reading street signs, or driving because of blurred vision or glare from headlights.
Intraocular Lens Portland, OR
What is an IOL?
An intraocular lens (IOL) is the replacement lens that is surgically implanted in the eye to replace the existing clouded lens during cataract surgery. Cataract and lens implant surgery today is highly successful and very precise.
Standard Monofocal IOLs
A monofocal IOL is a fixed lens (it doesn’t move) that is designed to deliver improved vision at just one distance (usually far). The potential drawback is that after surgery, you will probably need to wear glasses for near vision, even if you didn’t wear glasses before surgery.
Multifocal IOLs
A multifocal lens uses multiple visual zones that are built into the lens itself to provide vision at various distances. It’s almost like the rings of a target, with some rings being dedicated to distance vision, while others are used for near vision, similar to having a bifocal or trifocal lens inside the eye.
Accommodating IOLs
As the name implies, an accommodating lens “flexes” or “accommodates” to focus on subjects at various distances, delivering a continuous range of vision at near, intermediate and far.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is a revolutionary technology in ophthalmology, offering customizable vision correction. It utilizes a unique material that can be precisely adjusted post-implantation to refine visual acuity. Patients can experience improved vision without the need for additional surgeries. This dynamic adaptability sets a new standard in the field of cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange.
PanOptix
What makes PanOptix so special is its trifocal design. Unlike traditional monofocal IOLs that only correct vision at a single distance, PanOptix provides clear vision at three crucial distances: near, intermediate, and far. This means you can enjoy a fuller, more natural range of vision, significantly reducing your reliance on glasses for activities like reading, using digital devices, or simply appreciating distant views.
Vivity
The Vivity IOL is a groundbreaking intraocular lens (IOL) that has the potential to revolutionize the way you see the world. Vivity is designed to provide you with enhanced vision quality, particularly for those who may have experienced difficulties with intermediate vision, like using computers or reading price tags at the store. What sets Vivity apart is its innovative X-WAVE technology, which enables a broader
range of vision.
