At Heaton Eye Associates, we perform cataract surgery with a "No-Shot, No-Stitch, No-Patch" procedure. No shots are needed because the anesthetic is a topical numbing drop, applied directly to the eye itself. No stitches are required and no patch is needed to cover the eye. As a result, our patients are in and out of the surgery center in 2 to 3 hours, and seeing well.

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts are the leading cause of poor vision in adults. The good news is cataracts can be successfully treated more than 95% of the time!

A cataract is the clouding of the lens inside your eye. In normal vision, light enters the eye, passing through the lens, and is focused on the retina at the back of the eye. When the lens is cloudy, the light is blocked, and the image that reaches the retina is cloudy and dull, creating poor vision. Glare and dull appearances of color are common complaints from people with cataracts.

The cataract is caused by a change in the chemical composition of the lens. The most common cause is the result of our natural aging process. Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this age-related development. Cataracts can, however, occur at any age, and even rarely are present at birth. Cataracts can be the result of injury, infections or other eye diseases. Since vision loss is usually gradual as the cataract develops, you may not truly notice the decline in your vision until the cataract has progressed.

Treatment

Unfortunately, medication, eye drops, new glasses, or other forms of treatment cannot cure cataracts. The only way to restore clear vision is to remove the cloudy lens, and replace it with a new lens. The intraocular lens implant (IOL) is the most effective replacement lens used today. There have been great advances in intraocular lens implants. 

Cataract Surgery

Many patients are slightly fearful about having cataract surgery because they may remember a parent or grandparent having the surgery. Prior to advancements in cataract surgery, cataract patients could have long hospital stays, experienced pain or discomfort, and had to remain inactive for a long period of time. In addition, patients had to wear thick, heavy cataract glasses after their surgery, often referred to as “Coke bottle glasses.” But today, with the use of modern techniques and advanced technology, cataract surgery is virtually painless. We use a No-Shot, No-Stitch, No-Patch procedure that takes only a few minutes to perform, and with the help of new Lifestyle Lenses, visual results are better than ever.  

Nancy McCutchen | Cataract Patient "After I had the surgery, I could see these colors well enough to get a better color." View Nancy's Video Testimony

The lens is implanted during cataract surgery. This surgery is usually done as an outpatient in our own surgery center, the Heaton Laser and Surgery Center.

Click here to learn more about this procedure.

Next Generation of Cataract Surgery

Blade-Free Laser Cataract Surgery

Over the years, cataract surgery has evolved from a fairly intense surgery with a long recovery time to advanced a no-patch, no-shot, no-stitch procedure, that typically takes less than 10 minutes to perform with a swift recovery time.  Premium Lens implants have further advanced cataract surgery allowing patients to see at virtually all distances with little or no dependence on glasses.  

Blade-Free Laser Cataract Surgery

Now, surgeons might be able to increase the safety and precision of cataract surgery using a Femtosecond laser. The LenSx laser has recently received FDA clearance for use inside the eye, and allows surgeons to perform a blade-free laser version of cataract surgery. This is the same laser technology that has been used for over a decade in All-Laser LASIK surgery to provide increased safety and precision. 

The Femtosecond technology will allow surgeons to perform an anterior capsulotomy, corneal incisions, and lens fragmentation by using a laser, verses a blade, all before entering the eye to remove the cataract. 

The current studies are limited, but early data might suggest taking an already extremely safe surgery and making it even safer. Heaton Eye Associates is in the process of evaluating current study data and taking the steps necessary to provide this technology for their patients. 

Increased Cost

At this time, insurance does not cover Blade-Free Laser Cataract Surgery.  The cost will most likely range from $800-$1000 per eye, as this will be considered an elective segment of the cataract surgery process. 

Our Surgery Center

Most of our cataract surgeries are performed at our on-site surgery center. Our outpatient surgery center is specially designed, with the most technologically advanced equipment, to ensure the most up-to-date care. It has achieved the highest level of accreditation possible for a Surgery Center, AAAHC. Our surgery center allows for a more controlled environment for our surgeons and patients as opposed to a typical hospital setting, because we only specialize in eye surgery. To find out more, click here.

Your Eyes Don’t Have to Act Their Age

If you’re undergoing cataract surgery, Heaton Eye Associates offers a wide selection of lifestyle lenses to reduce or eliminate the need for bifocals and reading glasses. Read the newspaper, work on your computer and see objects in the distance — all with little or no dependence on glasses! Click here to learn more