PanOptix in Albuquerque, NM

Cataract Surgery in New Mexico

Cataracts occur with a clouding of the lens of the eye caused by protein breakdown with age. People who develop cataracts often experience hazy or blurry vision with muted colors. They may also notice a yellowish tinge to their vision, reduced night vision, light sensitivity, double vision, or distorted vision. These symptoms tend to gradually develop; for example, you might notice that you need a stronger glasses prescription each year.

According to the National Eye Institute, more than 50% of Americans either have cataracts or had previous surgery for this condition by age 80. You have a higher risk for cataracts if you are older than 60, take corticosteroid medications, spend time in the sun without eye protection, have had a previous eye injury, smoke, have a family history of cataracts, or have a personal history of chronic conditions such as diabetes. Obesity, alcohol use, and history of radiation treatment for cancer are also associated with this eye disease.

When cataracts begin to interfere with vision, an ophthalmologist can replace the clouded lens with a lens implant. At Southwest Eyecare, we offer the revolutionary PanOptix lens, which is the first trifocal lens option available for lens implantation in the United States.

Benefits of PanOptix Technology

• PanOptix provides an enhanced combination of near, intermediate, and distance vision and substantially reduces the need for glasses.
• Considerably reduces a patient’s need for glasses after cataract surgery.
• Helps patients with and without astigmatism.

In an FDA clinical study, more than 99% of PanOptix patients said they would choose the same lens again. In addition, 98% of patients surveyed reported that they would recommend this lens to family and friends who need cataract surgery. Nearly 92% of PanOptix patients said they never or rarely use their eyeglasses after having this vision correction procedure.

Other benefits of PanOptix cataract surgery include:

• Bright, vivid colors for a high-definition vision experience
• Effortless sight with the blurry zones sometimes reported with other lenses
• Reduced glare and halos in the presence of bright lights

Many patients experience sharp, clear vision without glasses or contact lenses, often for the first time in many years. These individuals report a higher sense of life satisfaction and appreciation compared to their lives before having cataract surgery.

Candidates for PanOptix Cataract Surgery

Generally, eye doctors recommend having surgery when a cataract interferes with your ability to work, read, drive, or perform other activities. Sometimes, this procedure is necessary to treat another eye condition.

ORA is used to provide real-time measurements during cataract surgery and is ideally suited for:

• Patients who have had previous Radial Keratotomy (RK), LASIK, or Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK).
• Patients choosing a Toric or multifocal IOL (intraocular cataract lens).
• Patients who want customized precision, an improved, accurate outcome for their vision, etc.

You may be a candidate for lens implants, even if you have astigmatism. These procedures are also completed with toric lenses for vision correction.

What To Expect During Your Procedure

Cataract surgery can be completed in our office setting and usually takes less than 30 minutes. The eye doctor will administer local anesthesia before removing the affected lens with a bladeless surgery technique and replacing it with a clear lens designed to improve your distance vision and acuity. We will bandage your eyes and allow you to rest in the recovery room. You will need to bring a friend or family member who can drive you home from the procedure.

Results After Cataract Surgery

You will return to the eye doctor for a follow-up visit shortly after surgery as well as a few times in the weeks and months after. Within about three months of the procedure, we will determine whether you need a new prescription for glasses or contact lenses based on your progress.

PanOptix surveyed patients after having this treatment and found that most experienced minimal or no discomfort during their procedures. In fact, many reported that having the surgery was not as difficult as they expected and said they wished they had not waited to get cataract and refractive lens implants.

Cataract lens replacement provides safe, effective results, with fewer than one percent of patients experiencing complications such as retinal detachment, bleeding, or infection. Without treatment, many people with this condition eventually experience complete vision loss.

Contact Southwest Eyecare

At Southwest Eyecare, our physicians are dedicated to quality patient care and customer service. We provide comprehensive eye health services, including cataract implants for patients in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and surrounding areas. Schedule an evaluation today or give us a call at (505) 346-0500 if you want to learn more about your eye care options.

Cataracts aren't the only eye condition people experience as they age. By 45-55 years old, 80% of people develop presbyopia. This age-related decline in near vision leaves many people reaching for reading glasses, even if they've always had perfect vision. Traditional cataract surgery using monofocal lenses does not correct presbyopia, so patients still need glasses after their cataracts are removed.

PanOptix Lenses are an effective way to address presbyopia and cataracts. Unlike traditional cataract surgery, many patients don't need glasses after receiving PanOptix Lens implants.

 

 

What are Alcon PanOptix Lens Implants?

You're probably familiar with bifocal or trifocal glasses. They help correct the vision at different distances, so you can read your book, still look up, and focus on what's happening across the room. PanOptix Lenses work similarly, providing vision correction at a range of differences.

These multifocal lenses are designed to replace the damaged lens in your eye when cataracts become too severe to correct with glasses. They're made from hydrophilic acrylic, and they have 26 diffractive rings. Those 26 rings refract the light in different ways, so patients can focus on objects close to them, such as a book, at intermediate distances, such as a computer screen, and far away, such as when driving. 

PanOptix Lenses also have a filtering material to protect your eyes from blue light and ultraviolet rays. 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does it hurt to have PanOptix Lenses implanted?

Patients usually feel little or no pain on the day of surgery. You'll be given medication to help you relax, and anesthetic drops are used to numb your eyes. The surgery usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes per eye, and you'll be able to go home in just a few hours.

Recovery usually takes a day or two, and you will probably experience some blurriness, minor soreness, irritation, and swelling. These symptoms are usually mild and go away in a few days. Most people are completely healed within four to six weeks after surgery. 

 

How soon will my vision improve?

The amount of improvement depends on the condition of your eye before surgery. Generally, within 24 hours, the blurriness from the surgery should be lessened, and you will already see things more clearly than before. Your vision will continue to improve over the next months.

How long do the lenses last?

Your new PanOptix lenses are made to last for a lifetime. Cataracts cannot come back once the original lens in the eye has been removed. In rare cases, cloudiness develops on the capsule around the new lens, but this can be quickly corrected in-office with a laser.  

 

What are the side effects?

With any cataract surgery, patients often experience dry eyes and light sensitivity as their eyes heal. You may also have other side effects, such as visual disturbances. These visual disturbances mean things look a little different, such as seeing a halo or rays around lights. You may also find distinguishing objects from their background difficult, particularly in low light, making driving more difficult at night. 

Most of the time, patients report that these symptoms decrease in the months after surgery and become less of a problem over time. 

You may also experience some blurriness as your brain adapts to your new range of vision. Within six months, most people can adapt and see clearly at low, intermediate, and far distances. 

For more information about PanOptix Lenses or other cataract surgery options, contact us at Southwest Eyecare today!

 

Image Source: Maria Sbytova/Ground Picture/Dezay/Shutterstock