
The National Eye Institute estimates that more than 20.5 million Americans over the age of 40 suffer from cataracts, with more than half of those over the age of 80. Cataracts are a leading cause of poor vision in the United States.
Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy. As cataracts develop, the symptoms gradually progress until vision is impaired. Cataracts are an inevitable natural side effect of aging although medications, systemic diseases, and other chronic eye conditions may be associated with increased cataract frequency and/or progression. Cataracts affect just about everyone sooner or later, but with the rapid evolution of cataract treatments, patients are experiencing significantly improved visual outcomes with minimum discomfort. Cataract surgery is considered one of the most popular and highly successful procedures, with improved vision occurring in over 90 percent of cases. A study by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported that more than 98 percent of cataract patients had improved vision following surgery. Many patients report their vision is better than before they developed cataracts. Results are permanent; once removed, cataracts will not recur.
Unfortunately, it can be very difficult to distinguish cataracts from other common eye disorders. Because cataracts progress slowly, many people are not even aware of the gradual deterioration in their vision. Some common symptoms of cataracts may include:
Cataracts are a treatable eye disease. Although, cataracts are universally thought to be a disease that affects the elderly, they are often developed at birth and only cause noticeable problems later in life. Vision problems can occur whether over or under the age of 40, which is why regular eye exams are so important. Vision care isn't just about seeing well. It's also about quality of life. Good vision care leads to better overall health. Good vision can last a lifetime.
| Affected vision with cataract | Vision corrected with Lifestyle Lens |
The most common and effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Three million Americans have the procedure every year. It is an outpatient procedure usually taking less than 20 minutes to complete with little discomfort and rapid return to normal activities. A tiny incision is made to remove the cloudy natural lens from the eye by a process known as phacoemulsification while the patient is under topical anesthesia. The lens material is broken up using high frequency sound waves and is aspirated from the eye. The natural lens is then replaced by an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL).
To provide the most comfort and to provide his patients with the fastest healing time possible, Dr. Jackson uses a process called MICS – micro-incision cataract surgery. In traditional surgery, the incision made on the side of the eye is about 2.8mm in size. With MICS, the size of the incision is 1.8mm (or 1/10 the width of a dime), which reduces the amount of recovery time for patients.
Dr. Jackson then uses a highly specialized laser, called a femtosecond laser, to make the incision. The femtosecond laser approach is the most advanced method and technology available and further enhances patient comfort while making the most precise incision of all.
Step 1 Incision |
Step 2 Prepare |
Step 3 Insert IOL |
Step 4 Close |
At Jacksoneye, your eye health is our priority. Our advanced diagnostic testing will help determine the best intraocular lens (IOL) option for each patient that will produce the best visual outcome. As a respected and talented ophthalmolic professional, Dr. Jackson has a long track record of success. He will work with you personally to create a surgery plan that is especially designed for you. We are proud to say that we get much of our business from referrals and look forward to adding you to the list of our satisfied patients.
Preoperative Wavefront Analysis
Prior to any vision correction procedure, Dr. Jackson must have an accurate reading of any aberrations in your eye. An aberration is anything that may deviate from normal eyesight and could be responsible for you seeing halos around lights or fuzzy vision.
The Wavefront analysis that is performed at Jacksoneye will produce thousands of complex data points. This, along with measuring the degree of your nearsightedness, farsightedness or astigmatism, will allow us to tailor each vision correction procedure for each patient.
Dr. Jackson is one of a few surgeons in the nation to perform this analysis for all of his vision correction procedures. The accuracy of analyzing these data points allows Dr. Jackson to provide the best care and results possible.
Orbscan Corneal Topography
The Orbscan measures the overall corneal structure of your eye. This step includes measuring the thickness, surface power and the shape of your cornea. The technology used with the Orbscan can acquire over 8,000 data points in two seconds, providing a 3-D map of your cornea. It can also detect signs of specific diseases and/or abnormalities.
This knowledge about your cornea is essential to Dr. Jackson as he determines the best course of action for your vision correction procedure.
Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master (blue bold)
Once it is determined that cataract surgery is recommended, the next step is to determine which intraocular lenses (IOLs) are the best for you. Just like a prescription for your contact lenses, IOLs contain the correct calculation to provide you with optimal vision. Our skilled technicians use the Zeiss Humphrey IOL Master for highly accurate measurements and precise IOL power calculations.
Dr. Jackson is recognized as a leader in cataract surgery and lens replacement. Until recently, cataract patients had virtually no choice in the lens implants used to restore vision. With our lifestyle lenses, you now have several choices based on your individual visual needs and lifestyle.
The new lens implants provide a fuller range of vision, improving your vision at near, intermediate and distance most like the lens you were born with. Most patients choose advanced lenses because they prefer a fuller range of vision without glasses for the majority of their day.
| Cataract affected vision | |
| Day vision with Lifestyle Lens | |
| Night vision with Lifestyle Lens |
IOL Options
Technological advances have produced a variety of IOLs, which also help to correct refractive error. These IOLs are: monofocal, multifocal, toric, and accommodating.
Standard Option:
The standard cataract surgery uses a standard government/insurance-issued monofocal lens implant. Mono means one and focal means focus of the lens of an eye. This means that Monofocal IOLs will only provide vision for one distance. When monofocal IOLs are used, the patient will still be required to wear glasses full-time for distance, intermediate and/or near vision tasks. A 100% guarantee that the best vision possible will require glasses for all levels of vision after cataract surgery.
Legal to Drive Option:
The Legal to Drive custom cataract surgery uses an upgraded Wavefront Aspheric or Toric lens implant: 100% guarantee for legal to drive vision (20/40 or better) without glasses by 18 months after surgery is expected. Glasses for intermediate and/or near vision tasks (computer/reading) will be needed 100% of the time.
Forever Young Option:
The Forever Young custom cataract surgery uses an upgraded presbyopia correcting accommodating lens implant. Accommodating IOLs are designed to work with the muscles of the eye to focus upon whatever distance is needed. The need for glasses for distance, intermediate and/or near vision tasks will be eliminated or reduced such that glasses will only be needed part-time or never for any level of vision.
We offer a comprehensive Cataract and Lens Implant consultation. Our advanced diagnostic workup includes state-of-the-art measurements of the cornea, pupil, lens, and retina. This process takes approximately two hours. Both eyes will be dilated for our comprehensive exam. Dilation may cause sensitivity to light and a temporary inability to see well at close range. You should arrange to have someone drive you home.
After our comprehensive examination, we counsel each patient about his or her best IOL option according to lifestyle, medical and eye health history.
One of the most common occurrences after cataract surgery is in the lens covering, or capsule, where the lens sits within the eye. During cataract surgery, the natural lens with the cataract is removed and an intraocular lens (IOL) is put into its place. The capsule where the IOL is placed can become cloudy as a result of cell regeneration. When this happens, the effect on your vision is very similar to that of a cataract. Light passes into the eye through the lens and it passes through the cloudiness before it reaches the retina. You may experience fuzzy vision and the effects are known as an after-cataract. It can be months, even years after cataract surgery for this side effect to become noticeable.
Symptoms of an After-Cataract
NOTE: Because these symptoms can be indicative of other eye diseases, it is important to have a consultation as soon as possible. The solution to an after-cataract is a simple, virtually pain-free, outpatient procedure known as YAG (Yttrium aluminum garnet) Capsulotomy. During this procedure, the YAG laser creates a small hole in the back of the capsule, behind the IOL, to allow unfiltered light to reach the retina. Specifically, the laser passes through the cornea and through the IOL to reach the back of the capsule. Once the laser reaches the back of the capsule that holds the IOL, the energy concentrates and creates a small hole to allow the light through. Because there is no incision, there is no risk of infection from this procedure.
If you have had cataract surgery and you feel that you may have an after-cataract, call 847.356.0700 to schedule a consultation.
Cataract removal can be affordable for any budget. Because cataract surgery is seen as a medical necessity, Medicare and most health insurance plans will cover the removal of the cataract-filled lens. They will also cover a basic, monofocal lens that is used to replace your natural lens.
If you have a refractive error that requires you to use glasses or contacts to see clearly, we have options of different lenses that are used to correct this. These lenses are called Premium Intraocular Lenses. The charge for these lenses may not be covered by your insurance. We do have excellent financing options at Jacksoneye that make them affordable with almost any budget.
Through the use of our financing partners, ChaseHealthAdvance and CareCredit, we can help you find a plan that fits your needs.
To apply, simply call our offices at 847-356-0700. You can also visit www.chasehealthadvance.com or www.carecredit.com.
There are no application fees or paperwork to complete, and you can be approved in minutes.
Click here to see our Chase Payment Calculator
