Cataract Treatment in Louisville
Koby Karp Doctors Eye Institute specializes in Cataract surgery. Whether you are experiencing cataract symptoms or getting information for a relative or a friend, we have provided a great deal of information here to answer some of your questions.
Intraocular Lens (IOL)
 An Intraocular Lens implant is a lens inserted into the eye where it remains permanently. It is never necessary for the patient to touch or remove it. Intraocular Lens are about the same size as your fingernail and do not result in distortion as do thick glasses. They look like the normal lens to other people. Even if a lens has been implanted in your eye, it may be necessary to wear regular glasses after surgery. The strength of the implant is determined for you based on tests before the operation.
Here's great news for cataract patients! Recently developed, multi-focal intraocular lenses, or “premium” intraocular lenses, allow cataract surgery patients to enjoy a new, higher level of spectacle freedom. This new multi-focal technology replaces single-focus IOL's allowing for all ranges of vision: near, mid-range and distance.
Patient Testimonial for Multi-focal IOL
 Listen to what our patient Pat says about premium intra-ocular lenses. Click here.
Premium Intraocular Lenses
Drs. Melvyn Koby, David Karp, Scott Hoffman and Albert Smolyar are now making the “premium” multi-focal intraocular lenses available to our patients having cataract surgery.
The AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL was designed to provide quality near to distance vision by combining the strengths of apodized diffractive and refractive technologies. Similar technology has been used for years in microscopes and telescopes to improve image quality and has now been patented for use in  intraocular lenses by Alcon.
To learn more about the ReSTOR™ IOL go to:
http://www.acrysofrestor.com
Another “premium” IOL is the Crystalens manufactured by Bausch & Lomb.
Crystalens is an accommodating intraocular lensthat, unlike a standard IOL, can  treat both a person's cataracts andpresbyopia—loss of near and intermediate vision.
Crystalens was modeled after the human eye. Like the natural lens, it uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate in order to focus on objects in the environment at all distances. Crystalens dynamically adjusts to your visual needs.
 To learn more about the Crystalens IOL go to:
http://www.crystalens.com
Medicare Patients
Further good news is that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that they will now allow Medicare beneficiaries to choose these more expensive lenses as long as they pay for the extra cost themselves. Doctors and Medicare patients will have the freedom to select technology to treat cataracts that is consistent with the patient's lifestyle. Previously, the government paid most of the price of treatment, including surgery, insertion of a traditional intraocular lens, and one pair of eye glasses or contact lenses. Doctors were not allowed to exceed Medicare's established price for the procedure or to ask patients to make up the difference for the multifocal lens. Medicare patients couldn't pay extra for a better lens even if they wanted to. Now the rules have changed.
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Cataracts
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. Cataracts can develop in one or both eyes. They can be the result of aging, accident or certain diseases. A cataract could be compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed.
It is not true that a cataract is a film or layer on the outside of the eye. It does not spread from one eye to the other and is not a cause of irreversible blindness.
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See cataract animations here
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What are the most common causes of cataracts?
Causes can include medical problems such as diabetes, medications (especially steroids) or injury to the eye. The most common type of cataract is related to aging of the eye. Long term exposure to sunlight as well as some unknown factors can also be causes. Often a family history of cataracts is evident in cataract patients.
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What are some symptoms of cataracts?
Some common symptoms of cataracts include a blurring of vision, glare or light sensitivity, double vision in one eye or poor night vision. You may need brighter light to read and notice color becoming less vibrant, fading or yellowing.
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How is a cataract detected?
A thorough eye examination can detect the presence of a cataract. This examination can also detect any other conditions that may be causing you to have blurred vision or other eye problems.
Some patients may have problems with other parts of the eye, such as the retina, cornea, or optic nerve which can be responsible for vision loss. These problems could prevent much or any improvement in vision after cataract surgery. Therefore, cataract removal may not be recommended if improvement in your vision is unlikely. Your doctor can tell you how much vision improvement is likely.
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How long does it take for a cataract to develop?
The rate of development can vary among individuals and may also be different between the two eyes. Most age-related cataracts can progress gradually over a period of years.
It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person. Some cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a short time.
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How are cataracts treated?
A cataract can only be removed with surgery. The right time to remove the cataract depends on your daily visual needs. Surgery may not yet be needed in cases where the symptoms of the cataract are not are not causing discomfort or inconvenience. In some cases, a change in your eyeglass prescription may be helpful.
By using the no-stitch, no-patch ultrasonic technique of lens removal and intraocular lens implantation clear vision can be efficiently restored. For those patients who develop '"secondary" clouding after cataract surgery, DEI has a Nd:YAG laser in the office for convenient treatment of this condition.
Please note that there are no medications, exercises or dietary supplements that have been proven to either cure or prevent cataracts.
Protection from excessive sunlight is recommended to help slow the progression of cataracts. Wearing sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular glasses with a clear, anti-UV coating can provide such protection.
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When should cataract surgery be done?
It is time to consider surgery for cataracts when your visual impairment interferes with your job or daily life.
It is not true that cataracts need to be "ripe" before they can be removed. Likewise, cataracts do not need to be removed just because they are present.
Cataract surgery should be performed when your daily visual needs require it. Your decision should be based whether or not you can see to do your job, drive safely and engage in such activities as reading and watching TV in comfort. Can you see well enough to perform daily tasks such as cooking, shopping or taking medications without difficulty?
You and your doctor should decide together when surgery is appropriate based on your symptoms.
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What can I expect from cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery, is most often performed on an outpatient basis using local or topical anesthesia. During the procedure, the cloudy lens is removed from the eye. One method of cataract removal uses high frequency sound waves to gently break the cataract into tiny pieces. These pieces are then removed by delicate suction. Then the focusing power of the natural lens is restored by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant.
Another method of cataract removal is to remove the central part of the cataract (Nucleus) in one piece. The softer outer sell of the cataract is then removed by delicate suction. Both methods preserve the capsule (a protective membrane).
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Summary
Even though cataracts are a common cause of decreased vision, particularly for the elderly, they are treatable. Your ophthalmologist can tell you whether cataract or some other problem is the cause of your vision loss and can help you decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you.
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Free Consultation
Make an appointment for a free consultation regarding cosmetic eye surgery by calling (502) 897-1604 or 1-800-777-4393.
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