The Right Treatment for You
When It's Time For Surgery
If your cataract symptoms have become too advanced for eye drops and corrective eye wear to help you see clearly, you may be a good candidate for surgery. Surgery is the only available form of treatment that can completely eliminate cataracts.
At The Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center, we are committed to helping each of our patients preserve and improve their eyesight. Dr. Emilio Justo offers many cataract surgery options to residents of Phoenix, Sun City, Sun City West and Wickenburg. During a consultation, you can discuss available treatment options with Dr. Justo, and learn how our treatment can be customized to meet your unique medical needs and goals. Please use our online contact form to request an appointment.
Basics of Cataract Removal Surgery
Fast Focus Cataract Surgery
Because cataracts cause the crystalline lens within the eye to become clouded, the entire lens must be removed. Our practice prefers small-incision surgery for its benefits: minimized discomfort, virtually no downtime, and fast results. This technique is currently the most common type of cataract surgery performed, and is also known as no-stitch cataract surgery.
During surgery, an incision is made at the side of the cornea, and a tiny probe is inserted into the eye. Phacoemulsification, or ultrasound technology, is used to gently break up cataracts. Afterwards, the entire lens is gently vacuumed from the eye. Extracapsular cataract surgery removes the entire lens in one piece, and though rarely used, may be recommended depending on your unique condition.
Most patients will receive an artificial lens, or intraocular lens (IOL), at this time. These implants can correct nearsightedness, farsightedness, and even astigmatism. Monofocal IOLs provide vision correction at one range only - either close up or far away. Premium and multifocal lenses act similarly to bifocals, providing vision correction at close and far distances. Dr. Justo will use advanced technology - the ORA® System - to determine the best power and placement of your IOL.
Cataract Surgery Options to Consider
To ensure our patients' total comfort during surgery, our practice offers two types of anesthesia: local and peribulbar. Both types of anesthesia are supplemented with intravenous sedation to further relax patients. Locally applied anesthetic requires no stitches or needles. Eye drops are used to fully numb the eye. Patients have control of their eye movement during surgery. After the procedure, no eye patch is needed.
If you suffer from anxiety, or your cataracts are advanced, Dr. Justo may recommend peribulbar anesthesia. Peribulbar anesthesia uses a series of injections to immobilize the eye. After surgery, a patch is used to protect the eye. Numbing general wears off within six hours, and the patient returns the next day to have the patch removed.
Schedule a Consultation
If impaired vision is affecting your quality of life, we can help. Dr. Justo's extensive experience performing cataract surgery ensures a quick, easy recovery and optimal results after treatment. Fill out our simple online form to request an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!