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What is a Cataract?
Simply put, a cataract is a "clouding"
of the lens in your eye. The lens, located just behind the
pupil, or the colored part of your eye, works like the lens
of a camera. It picks up images, then focuses the lights,
colors, and shapes on the retina - the transmitter located
at the back of your eye that sends the images to your brain.
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Great advances have been made in cataract surgery.
Millions of people undergo this vision-improving procedure every
year. And, they experience excellent results.
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For patients, it's a simple operation. A tiny
incision is made in the eye. Through this incision, the surgeon
inserts an instrument, about the size of a pen tip. The surgeon
uses an ultrasonic instrument that breaks up and gently removes
your cloudy lens.
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Once the clouded lens has been removed, the next step
is to replace it. That is, to implant an artificial lens that will
do the work of your own lens. This artificial lens is referred to
as an intraocular lens or IOL. Recently, there have been great advances
in artificial lens technology that has opened a whole new world
of vision enhancing features.
The ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® Lens
Following cataract surgery with traditional artificial
lenses, patients often still need to use their reading glasses or
bifocals to be able to read objects at close range. This is because
traditional artificial lenses implanted during cataract surgery
typically only correct for distance vision. The ACRYSOF® ReSTOR®
lens is a breakthrough lens that uses apodized diffractive technology
(similar to technology used in telescopes and microscopes) to give
patients a full range of vision - near through distance - and to
reduce dependency on reading glasses or bifocals following cataract
surgery. This means that many patients can read the text on items
such as prescription bottles, magazines, newspapers and computer
screens, while also providing the ability to see items at a distance
free from glasses or bifocals. In fact, clinical trials have demonstrated
that four out of five patients never needed to wear reading glasses
or bifocals after having cataract surgery with the ACRYSOF®
ReSTOR® lens in both eyes.
Inserting ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® lens.
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ACRYSOF® ReSTOR® lens in the eye.
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The Miracle of Cataract Surgery
When your cataract has been removed it may seem like
a miracle. All the things you couldn't see clearly are bright, clear,
and vivid again. In fact, many people will tell you they haven't
seen life so clearly in years. Once you see how good the world looks,
you'll be so glad -- like millions of others just like you -- that
a cataract is one thing you can live without. As with any surgical
procedure, there are risks. You and your doctor should consider
the potential risks and benefits, and determine if cataract surgery
is right for you.
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