Cataract Surgery: What if You Wait Too Long?

The specialist eye doctors at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center shared information about waiting too long to have cataract surgery. ‘I always explain to patients that the decision of when to have a cataract removed and replaced with lens implants is really a very personal decision,” said Birmingham Cataract Surgeon & Corneal Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. “Some of my cataract patients are just not comfortable with the slightest degree of blurry vision or glare sensitivity. Yet, others surprise me with how tolerant they are. So, I generally tell patients that their cataracts should be removed when they feel that they have visual discomfort or inconvenience-or if they have any safety issues with navigating each day’s activities with confidence,” Dr Michelson explained.

What patients should know though is that waiting too long for cataract surgery can result is some unintended consequences and possible risks. “For example, as a cataract matures, it does become denser and somewhat more difficult to remove. This requires more energy to be delivered through the microscopic instruments we use to remove the cataract and may lead to prolonged inflammation or even intraoperative complications,” stated Dr. Michelson.  “For certain we don’t want the cataract to become so dense, swollen and cloudy that it causes a type of glaucoma or impair our view of the retina,” Dr. Michelson stressed. “In these instances your cataract surgeon is likely to recommend proceeding with cataract removal even though you may not think you are quite ready.”

If you or someone you know has a cataract or is need of cataract surgery and lens implants please feel free schedule an eye exam in Birmingham at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision are leading Birmingham eye care practices with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Safe Driving after Cataract Surgery

“Safe driving after cataract surgery is greatly improved-but not exactly as expected,” commented Cataract Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center. “An interesting study on cataract surgery and driving was reported in Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology whereby motor vehicle accidents involving men decreased by 15.3% in the 12 months following cataract surgery but the frequency of postoperative crashes didn't change significantly for women,” noted Dr. Michelson. “We know all too well that delaying cataract surgery often results in patients-especially seniors-modifying their lifestyles and activities. This is especially the case as people restrict their driving in response to health and vision changes. We need to hear from patients about their driving habits and whether they have had to change them as their cataracts develop-then we can help,” said Dr. Michelson.

If you or someone you know has a question about cataracts, cataract surgery, lens implants or driving please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision are leading Birmingham eye care practices with offices at 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243, and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S., Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205.

Cataract Surgery Reduces Hip Fracture Risk

Interesting information on how and why cataract surgery can prevent and reduce the risk of hip fracture was offered by Alabama Eye & Cataract Center Cataract Surgeons. According to a report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association cataract surgery may offer patients with cataracts a distinct advantage in preventing hip fractures.

When looking at the risk of hip fracture among more than 1 million people on Medicare aged 65 with cataracts, researchers found people who had cataract surgery had a 16% lower risk of hip fracture one year after the procedure. “Visual impairment from cataracts-whether from blurry vision, glare, halos or decreased contrast-is a known risk factor for falls. Thus when we improve vision for patients with cataracts, their mobility is typically improved as well as their confidence and the safety with which they navigate,” commented Birmingham Cataract Surgeon Tyler Hall, M.D. Dr. Hall further explained, “A hip or pelvis fracture is often the tipping point that leads to a progressive decline in quality of life and can signify increased mortality and morbidity for seniors. Accidental falls and the resulting bone fractures are a major cause of disability and death among the elderly.”

“The key here is that there is a demonstrated need for timely cataract surgery for seniors in order to manage the risk of challenged mobility with resulting fractures. We are quite fortunate-and it is really rewarding-to be able to provide cataract patients with modern patient friendly cataract surgery on an outpatient basis that utilizes tiny incisions, eye drops for anesthesia and a quick visual recovery,” added Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery, lens implants or hip fracture prevention please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision, 327 Summit Boulevard, Birmingham, Alabama 35243 and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Air Travel & Flying after Cataract Surgery

Birmingham Cataract Specialist Marc Michelson, M.D. explained, “As seniors and aging baby boomers continue to be more mobile, air travel and flying after cataract surgery are important considerations for many patients who have their cataracts removed and lens implants inserted to correct their vision.” Dr. Michelson further noted, “My cataract patients-especially as they seem to be getting younger-are continuing very active lifestyles. Often they need to get on an airplane or take advantage of air travel arrangements after cataract surgery and don’t want to be hindered.”

Most cataract surgeons require their patients to be examined the first day after cataract surgery and again at about 5-8 days after a cataract operation. This is the period of time where rare, but potentially serious, complications would likely be detected, if they were to occur. Beyond this period of time it is more a matter of making sure that you have access to continued follow up care at your cataract surgeon’s direction. If you are contemplating a trip after your cataract surgery you should discuss this with your cataract surgeon and we can give you any additional advice you might need regarding air travel as it would apply to your post operative instructions.

If you or someone you know has questions or concerns about cataract surgery, air travel and flying please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Can Cataract Surgery Cause Vitreous Detachment?

Birmingham Cataract Specialist Tyler Hall, M.D. explained why cataract surgery patients often experience Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) with “cobwebs and floaters” after a cataract operation. Dr. Hall noted, “Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) does indeed appear to be more common in individuals who have had cataract surgery. There may not be an obvious "cause and effect" relationship but there are a number of possible factors that contribute to this.” 

• The vitreous changes that lead to vitreous liquefication and instability and ultimately PVD are age-related, as are cataracts and the need for cataract surgery.
• Removal of a cataract can allow mechanical space shifts in the vitreous gel and perhaps increase the odds of PVD.
• Biochemical changes actually occur following cataract surgery and these appear to increase the likelihood of PVD, particularly if the posterior lens capsule is opened.
• Unusual complications of cataract surgery can disrupt the integrity of the vitreous gel and increase the odds of PVD.

“As a practical matter, our clinical experience indicates that it is pretty typical for some 50% or more of patients undergoing cataract surgery to experience a Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD), with some patients noticing visual symptoms including a “cobweb” or some floaters,” explained Dr. Hall. “If the visual symptoms become excessive or are accompanied by a curtain or veil in your vision, or perhaps distortion or bending of your vision, we want to hear from you immediately.” 

If you or someone you know has a question or concerns about cataracts, cataract surgery or posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Alabama Cataract Awareness Month

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham, AL reminds patients of all ages-especially seniors-about cataracts, cataract surgery & lens implants as August is Cataract Awareness Month. The Prevent Blindness America data indicate that more than 24 million Americans over 40 now suffer from cataracts-representing a 19% increase since the year 2000. “For our Alabama senior population this is even more meaningful as more than half of those over 65 are reported to have cataracts-that’s the not so bad news. Not so bad because today with modern cataract surgery and advanced technology lens implants we can help our seniors obtain excellent vision and maintain their lifestyle and activities,” noted Birmingham Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D.

There are still some patients who don’t fully understand that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens and not a film over the eye, as some believe. Most often, cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts can include blurring of vision, sensitivity to light and glare, double vision in one eye, poor night vision, fading or yellowing of colors and frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

“What many people do not realize is that the poor vision in seniors is often associated with premature or accelerated mental decline. Further, the challenges reduced vision creates in terms of mobility and safety can also put patients at increased risk for orthopedic injury-especially hip fracture. So, helping seniors restore vision with cataract surgery has an important place in securing senior health, well being, mobility, safety and mental state,” said Dr. Michelson.

“When cataracts begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort, mobility and safety, they can be treated surgically. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today, we have a full range of lens implants available that allow us to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism and even near vision problems after cataract surgery, as well as distance vision, without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients,”, further explained Dr. Michelson.

If you or someone you know has questions about cataract, cataract surgery or lens implants please feel free to call Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visit Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear.

Cataract Lens Implants for Astigmatism Correction

Cataract lens implants for astigmatism correction after cataract surgery are an important part of helping patients see clearly without needing glasses for distance vision. Birmingham Cataract Surgeon Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center commented on correcting astigmatism after cataract surgery with toric lens implants. “Most cataract patients know from their eye exams or eyeglass prescriptions that they have some amount of astigmatism. Sometimes they don’t realize that it is important for their cataract surgeon to correct that astigmatism in order to get the best visual results after cataract surgery. If we don’t correct that astigmatism they just won’t see as well as they should at distance without needing glasses or even a second procedure called and LRI,” explained Dr. Michelson.

Astigmatism is a common refractive eye condition that that is most often due to an uneven curvature of the cornea. If the cornea were perfectly shaped, it would have a spherical round even shape, like a basketball. In eyes that have astigmatism, the cornea is typically curved more like an oblong, football-like shape, similar to the shape of the back of a teaspoon. “Depending on the degree and orientation of the unequal curvatures, astigmatism can cause mild or even severe blurry vision,” explained Dr. Michelson.

Patients with cataracts and who are in need of cataract surgery have three choices when considering how to correct their astigmatism. First, patients can simply choose to be dependent on wearing eyeglasses after cataract surgery in order to correct astigmatism. Second, if appropriate, some patients may opt to have an additional surgical procedure called Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI) or third, patients can elect have an astigmatism correcting toric lens implant in which the astigmatism correction is incorporated into the lens prescription just as in eyeglasses. “Toric lens implants are placed in the eye in exactly the same manner as ordinary lens implants at the time of cataract surgery and correct the astigmatism as part of the cataract surgery operation,” further explained Dr. Michelson. If you or someone you know has cataracts or is considering cataract surgery, and has astigmatism please feel free to learn more about astigmatism correction after cataract surgery by calling Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham at 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center or facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Michelson Laser Vision and Alabama Eye & Cataract Center are leading eye care centers in Birmingham staffed by a team of specialists including eye doctors who are fellowship trained cornea specialists and cataract and lens implant specialists-all board certified Ophthalmologists & Corneal Specialists-as well as Optometrists, Opticians, technical and administrative staff who provide eye examinations for adults and children, cataract surgery and intraocular lens implants (IOL), laser eye surgery such as LASIK for laser vision correction, diagnosis and treatment of cornea disease including cornea transplants, care for diseases of the retina including diabetes and age related macular degeneration and diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and fitting of eyeglasses and eyewear..

Cataract Surgery-Do I Still Need Glasses?

“When I perform Cataract Surgery for patients I have 2 main goals. The first is to remove the cloudy crystalline lens which is actually an optical component of the eye that provides focusing power. The second goal is to replace the optical and focusing power by implanting an intraocular lens (IOL) to provide the correct amount of focusing power to allow you to see clearly,” commented Marc Michelson, M.D. of Alabama Eye & Cataract Center.

If you wore glasses because you were nearsighted, farsighted or had astigmatism before you developed a Cataract it is possible for Dr. Michelson to use a carefully calculated IOL power or even special IOL that can correct astigmatism so that you may not need to wear eyeglasses to see at distance after your surgery. Today, it is even possible for Dr. Michelson to select IOLs that can correct both distance and near vision so that you can decrease, or even eliminate, your dependence on bifocals and reading glasses after Cataract Surgery.

If you think you have a Cataract or have been told you have a Cataract and would like to be less dependent on glasses it is worthwhile to schedule a consultation at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center to learn more about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery and Lens Implants by calling 205.930.0930.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center Cataract Awareness Month

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center wishes to announce that Prevent Blindness America has designated June as National Cataract Awareness Month. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide. About 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older have cataracts and more than half of all Americans develop cataracts by age 80.
Many patients do not actually know that a cataract is a clouding of the crystalline lens of the eye preventing light rays from passing through it easily. This results in a clouding and blurring of vision. They need to understand that cataracts are not a growth or a film over the eye. For many patients cataracts start out slowly and have little effect on vision at first. But, as the cataract becomes denser, so does the impact on vision. The most common symptoms that bother patients with cataracts include:

• blurring of vision
• sensitivity to light and glare
• double vision in one eye
• poor night vision
• fading or yellowing of colors
• frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions.

 When cataracts do begin to interfere with daily activities or with patient comfort and safety they can be treated surgically. Cataract Surgery is one of the safest and most frequently performed surgeries in the United States. Today at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center Dr. Michelson uses the full range of Intraocular Lens Implants (IOL) available that allow us to correct near vision as well as distance vision without requiring bifocals or reading glasses for the vast majority of patients as well as correct astigmatism. Please feel free to contact us with your questions about Cataracts, Cataract Surgery or Lens Implants by Alabama Eye & Cataract Center at 205-930-0930.