By: Roger M. Kaldawy, M.D.

Milford Franklin Eye Center

What is a cataract and what is cataract surgery?

A cataract is a common condition in which the normally clear lens of the eye becomes progressively cloudy. When light passes through a clear lens, the light can focus to a point, creating a clear view. When light passes through a cataract, the light gets distorted, creating a blurred view. Treatment for cataracts involves surgery to remove the cataract and replace it with an intraocular lens implant. It is the most common surgical procedure in the US and around the world and is considered to be an extremely successful and safe procedure. It’s an exciting time to be offering cataract surgery!  Laser technology and advanced lens implants allow not only for clear vision but also for reduction in need for glasses.

What is laser cataract surgery?

Many of the steps of cataract surgery are traditionally performed using handheld tools. Now, they can be completed with the precision of a laser. Using the Catalys Precision Laser System, your surgeon can offer you unprecedented accuracy and customization in your cataract surgery procedure.  Your surgeon can use the laser to create a circular opening for accessing and removing the cataract. Clinical studies have shown that this opening is more accurate when performed with the laser than what is achievable by hand. The laser then softens and breaks up the hard cataract into tiny pieces, allowing for gentler, easier cataract removal.  Depending on your pre-operative vision and desired visual result, your surgeon may recommend a tailored treatment plan that could include creating ultra-precise laser incisions in the cornea and a specific lens implant type. This tailored treatment may reduce your need for glasses or contact lenses after surgery. 

What are my choices for lens implants during surgery?

Once a cataract is removed this cloudy lens will be replaced with an implant called an intraocular Lens or an IOL. IOLs can have a wide range of capabilities.  Given as they are a lens, they can have different focusing properties.  IOLs can be correcting for a single focus point, correct for astigmatism, or correct for all distances.

What is a standard, Single focus implant?

A standard single focus implant or monofocal implant corrects for a single distance only.  It is unable to focus at all distances.  Glasses will be needed after surgery to focus at other distances.  This implant is covered by all insurances at the time of the cataract surgery.

What is a Toric IOL?

A toric IOL is also a single focus implant, but it is also able to correct corneal astigmatism.  Many patients have always had astigmatism and the standard implant will improve their vision.  The Toric IOL will allow for these patients to be able to see clearly at a set distance without the aid of glasses (most patients choose distance).

What is a multifocal implant?

A Multifocal implant corrects for vision at all distances - near, intermediate, and far.  This IOL allows for many patients to be free of glasses.  Its advantage is the true capacity to provide a much more functional ability; ability to drive, read a cell phone, read the dash, read a note.  For more strenuous activities such as doing taxes, reading the small print on a medication bottle or prolonged detailed close work, at times, a minor pair of over-the-counter reading glasses may also make such tasks more comfortable.

There are several types of these implants that are FDA approved: The Panoptix implant is a true trifocal implant allowing for comfortable all-distance vision.  The Vivity implant is similar to Panoptix with night vision risks however may require more help for close reading tasks.

What are the risks of a multifocal implant?

In the early days after the implantation with the multifocal implant many patients notice some glare and halos.  These are a direct result of the concentric rings of the implants that also produce the near and the distance image. After a period of adjustment, most patients glare and halos subside significantly, although they will always be there if one looks for them. The new Vivity implant causes much less risk of halos.

Who is not a good candidate for multifocal implants?

It is very important to note that a multifocal implant may not be the best choice for all patients.  Some patients with some eye conditions, such as macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, retinal disease or glaucoma, may be better candidates for monofocal implants or for the Vivity implant.

Why choose our practice and surgery center?

It’s an exciting time to be a cataract surgeon or surgery patient! The technological innovations in our field are truly remarkable.  At Milford Franklin Eye Center Dr. Kaldawy is proud to offer bladeless laser assisted cataract surgery and was the first surgeon in the greater Boston area to implant the PanOptix lens implant and the new Vivity implant. No more need to travel hours for your cataract surgery! We operate in a state-of-the-art surgery center in Milford offering laser-assisted cataract surgery. If your provider is still recommending you go somewhere else and drive hours for surgery ask this provider about his/ her financial bias and call us for a second opinion.  We offer world-class eyecare and surgery much closer to home and we can prove it! A new office in Franklin and a second location in Milford. 7 providers with your best interest in mind offering the best of the best eye care. As we cross to 2022 we wish you the best from Milford-Franklin Eye Center, a trusted name in the community for 4 decades. 

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