There remain a lot of misconceptions about cataract surgery.
Patients who are in need of cataract surgery nowadays, typically in their 60s, often think back to how their parents or grandparents had cataract surgery. Many decades ago, cataract surgery was a procedure that restored limited vision, but required thick, bulky cataract glasses to be worn afterward. Also, the recovery time from the procedure was longer and less permitting.
Nowadays, we liquefy the cataract lens using ultrasound technology. It is then gently suctioned through a very small incision. To prevent the need for cataract glasses, we also implant an intraocular lens that restores the focusing power that was removed with the cataract. With these modern advances, cataract surgery isn’t just a vision restoring procedure – it is often a vision improving procedure. Our doctors at Wellish Vision Institute treat cataract surgery as a refractive procedure, and our goal is to lessen dependence on glasses after surgery.
One final advancement that helps us accomplish this goal is premium intraocular lens implants (PIOLs). New multifocal and accommodative lens technology gives patients a range of focal points, which is a significant advantage over the standard monofocal lens implants that are covered by medical insurance. This does add a certain amount of out-of-pocket expense to cataract surgery patients, but we believe it is worthwhile.
“PIOLs are costly, but I look at it this way. There are very few investments one can make that will be used every waking moment. Also, this is an investment that never depreciates. We do our best to make PIOLs affordable with financing, because if patients can afford it, I think that it’s something they’ll want to have. Luckily, the surgery itself – including medicine, staff, facility, etc. – is still paid for by insurance or Medicare.” -Dr. Wellish