Cataract Surgery Toronto | Cataract Surgery Ottawa

Traditional Cataract Surgery

Our goal at Herzig Eye Institute for every patient having cataract surgery is to achieve their best possible vision. Most of our patients want to eliminate or significantly reduce their dependence on glasses after their cataract surgery. Some patients are happy to continue wearing glasses and can proceed with traditional cataract surgery, which is covered by OHIP in the province of Ontario.

What is a Cataract and How is it Treated?

A cataract is when the eye’s natural lens clouds, leading to vision problems. Everyone, if they live long enough, will develop cataracts.

Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss for people all around the world. Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process, but they do not have to interfere with your lifestyle. In order to diagnose a cataract, a thorough eye exam is needed. Once a cataract is detected, treatment options can be discussed.

Modern cataract surgery is performed using ultrasound energy. An ophthalmologist replaces the eye’s old, cloudy, or discoloured lens with a new, acrylic or silicone intraocular lens (IOL). The most common IOL for cataract surgery is a monofocal lens. It is designed to correct vision at one distance.

What’s the difference between manual cataract surgery and precision refractive cataract surgery?

We offer all cataract patients multiple options during their comprehensive consultation. The first is to have traditional cataract surgery performed by a Herzig Eye Institute surgeon, which is covered by OHIP. Traditional cataract surgery includes an OHIP covered intraocular lens (IOL) and an ultrasound test (A-Scan) to determine the power of the IOL to be inserted in your eye. Patients will need to wear glasses after traditional cataract surgery.

For patients looking to eliminate or significantly reduce the need for glasses post-operatively, we offer Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery, which is the most advanced level of cataract surgery available. When refractive surgery is combined with cataract surgery, it consists of specialized technologies, advanced IOLs, and diagnostic tests that are not covered under OHIP.

Herzig Eye Institute also offers Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery with the Catalys® laser combines a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser and advanced 3D Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging to complete many of the critical steps of surgery that are traditionally done manually with handheld instruments. Using a laser to complete these steps prior to removing the cataract adds an element of precision, softens the cataract to make the surgery a little gentler on the eye, and helps with the correction of astigmatism.

CATARACT SYMPTOMS

Clouded or blurry vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Halos around lights
Light sensitivity
Seeing double
Colours fading or yellowing
Prescription changes

CATARACT SYMPTOM CHECKER

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Cataract FAQs

A cataract is the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, usually because of age. The lens is mostly made of water and protein. The protein is arranged in a precise way and it keeps the lens clear, allowing light to pass through it. As we age, the eye’s natural lens clouds, making it more difficult to see. The cloudy lens (cataract) is then replaced surgically with a new intraocular lens to provide clear vision.

A cataract needs to be removed only when vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, such as driving, reading, or watching TV. You and your eye care professional can make this decision together. Once you understand the benefits and risks of surgery, you can make an informed decision about whether cataract surgery is right for you. Surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens.

Sometimes a cataract should be removed even if it does not cause problems with your vision. For example, a cataract should be removed if it prevents examination or treatment of another eye problem, such as age-related macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy.

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:

Cloudy or blurry vision.
Colors may look faded.
Glare or halo around lights. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright.
Poor night vision.
Double vision or multiple images in one eye.
Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

The risk of cataracts increases as you get older. Other risk factors for cataract include:

Diabetes
Hypertension
Smoking or significant alcohol consumption
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources
Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications

When the ability to perform normal activities, like reading or driving, is compromised, it may be time to consider cataract surgery. Initial cataract symptoms can usually be managed with a stronger prescription for glasses. Getting cataract surgery is recommended when your quality of life becomes affected.

If you have developed a cataract, we’d like to help you understand the options available to you. With our advanced Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery technologies, your cataract(s) can be removed and your nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (hyperopia), astigmatism, and Presbyopia (loss of reading vision) can be corrected.

You will see after the procedure but it could take anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks for your vision to stabilize. It is not unusual to have blurry vision for a few days after your surgery, as your eye is healing.

Cataract surgery is routinely and safely performed by Herzig Eye Institute surgeons in hospital and is covered by OHIP. At Herzig Eye Institute, we offer the option of Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery. With new advancements in refractive cataract surgery and premium intraocular lens options, many cataract patients can have better vision after Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery than they had before they developed a cataract.

Herzig Eye Institute does not charge for services covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). We are in compliance with Ministry of Health guidelines, and fully protect access to insured health care services. For more information, visit the Government of Ontario’s website.