You are over age 60, and you may have friends who have been talking about cataract treatment. You might be wondering whether you have cataracts, too. Actually, by the time people reach age 60, many do indeed already have small cataracts formed. Luckily for you, the local cataract specialists at Elmquist Eye Group can diagnose and treat your cataracts.

Should I be evaluated for cataracts?

Cataracts occur naturally as people age; they are not a disease. Proteins break down in the eye and cloud the lens. If you’ve experienced wavy or blurry vision, your cataract might be large enough that it is impairing your vision.

Local Cataract SpecialistsThe overwhelming majority of cataracts are age-related. Some people can begin forming cataracts in their 40s, but cataracts usually do not cause major issues until people are in their late 60s or 70s.

The local cataract specialists at Elmquist use several diagnostic tests to diagnose cataracts. Our doctors conduct these tests as part of a comprehensive eye exam which includes a pupil dilation so that we can better see your lens to examine it for cataracts. The slit lamp test allows our doctors to more closely observe your lens. We also conduct several tests to measure visual acuity.

When do I need surgery?

Early on, we will likely be able to change your lens prescription more frequently to adjust for your cataracts. However, when the cataract is significant enough to affect and disrupt vision or make daily activities like driving or reading difficult, our local cataract specialists usually recommend surgery, which is the only way to repair a cataract.

Cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in our state-of-the-art medical facility. We use local anesthesia and a technique called bladeless laser-assisted surgery. At Elmquist. We use the Alcon LenSx laser system, the first FDA-approved laser system. Alcon is the trusted industry leader in this femtosecond laser technology, and we trust their laser surgical system to help us deliver safe, effective cataract surgeries.

We remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL) implant. The artificial lens is a permanent replacement, and we can correct any type of vision correction –nearsightedness, farsightedness and even astigmatism.

At Elmquist, our cataract specialists have one goal – a pleasant and successful surgical experience for each and every patient. Therefore, our eye care team does extensive pre-surgery preparation to choose the best implant. After surgery, we monitor you and send you home with the appropriate medications, and we schedule several post-operative eye exams to ensure proper healing progress.

A highly successful procedure

Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries performed today. Our Elmquist Eye Group local cataract specialists are highly skilled in the laser surgery method, so if you are a patient with cataracts, give us a call today. We have been providing Fort Myers and Cape Coral with expert eye care for nearly three decades. You’re in good hands with Elmquist Eye Group.