Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens replacing it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure consists of the removal of the clouded lens through a small slit in the cornea.  A probe is inserted into the incision and through the use of ultrasonic waves and vacuum, the cloudy lens is removed.

As we age, it is very common for the eye lens to cloud become a cataract, and cause a loss of vision. There is no pain associated with the condition however may cause blurred or hazy vision. It is not uncommon to have sensitivity to glare or the feeling of “film” over the eye. For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, surgery may be recommended.

The procedure is a minimally invasive, small-incision, no-stitch cataract surgery called phacoemulsification (“phaco”) surgery. During this procedure, a tiny incision is made in the eye to make room for a small ultrasound probe. This probe breaks the cloudy lens into tiny pieces.

The pieces are then suctioned out through the probe. Once the cloudy lens has been removed, the artificial lens is implanted in the eye through the same small incision. This significantly reduces recovery time while improving safety and reducing the risk of bleeding, scarring, irritation and distortion.

The incision can usually heal on its own without stitches. Anesthesia is a combination of local and/or topical along with IV sedation. Usually no medication is needed to numb the eye.

The most common complication for adults who have cataract surgery is the clouding of the part of the lens covering that remains after surgery. This is called “posterior capsule opacification.” If the cloudiness impacts the patient’s vision, the doctor may recommend laser surgery called a YAG posterior capsulotomy to correct this problem.

A YAG laser is used to cut a hole in the clouded back lining of the lens capsule. This allows light to pass through the membrane to the retina at the back of the eye.

Following cataract surgery, some people notice cloudiness after several months or years. In some people, it can become very dense and cause as much or more vision loss as the original cataract. The procedure is not needed unless vision loss caused by clouding of the lens capsule is seriously affecting the patient’s vision and lifestyle.

Usually the eye is dilated before the procedure with eye drops. A laser removes the hazy posterior capsule from the patient’s line of sight without making an incision or touching the eye.

The procedure takes only a few minutes and is entirely painless. There is usually very little post-operative discomfort. Most people can expect their vision to improve within a day.

A blepharoplasty is a surgical procedure to remove skin and to add or remove fat from the eyelids.

Upper eyelid excess skin and fat can create a heavy looking eyelid, aged appearance and puffiness, and may sometimes block vision. Upper blepharoplasty is performed to remove excess skin and fat and improve vision.

The surgeon will usually make small incisions following the natural lines of the eyelids. Through these cuts, excess skin is separated from the underlying tissue and excess fat, skin, and muscle is removed.

The surgeon closes the incisions with very small stitches. The stitches in the upper lids will stay for three to six days. The lower lids may or may not require stitches, depending on the technique used.

The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours and is done under a local anesthetic.

The revolutionary femtosecond laser introduced new and more accurate methods to cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation that result in clearer vision and shortened recovery times.

Femtosecond laser technology is used as part of a computer controlled surgical system and used to perform key parts of cataract surgery (e.g., incisions, capsulotomy and softening the nucleus).   Situations in which most surgeons who have access to the technology use a femtosecond laser to perform cataract surgery: as part of a premium procedure; in response to surgical concerns; or for its diagnostic capability—specifi cally, optical coherence tomography.  The femtosecond laser allows for a safer procedure when a case is potentially more complex