Cataract treatment | Anne Arundel Eye Center

LenSx Laser Surgery for Cataract Treatment in Annapolis

May 30, 2014 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

As we age, our eyes undergo normal aging, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This is what we are talking about when we say cataracts. It is a normal part of the aging process. By age 80 more than half of all Americans will either have a cataract or have undergone cataract treatment.

“We should all be so lucky to develop cataracts in our lifetime, as this would mean we have lived a long and healthy life,” explains board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, Medical Director of the Anne Arundel Eye Center in Annapolis, Maryland.

Don’t worry; cataracts are very treatable. In fact, cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today.

Cataract Treatment: Is Surgery My Best Option?

If your cataract begins to affect your quality of life, inhibiting you from performing normal daily tasks, such as driving, reading, or watching TV, cataract surgery is usually your best treatment option. Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a crystal clear lens implant, called an intraocular lens (IOL).

Cataract surgery can either be done the traditional way, by hand, or with the assistance of laser technology.

LenSx Laser Surgery for Cataract Treatment

The LenSx^® Laser was the first femtosecond laser system to receive FDA approvals for use in cataract surgery.

Now that the technology is ready for prime time, Dr. Boles says, “The LenSx Laser offers significant improvement of precision, safety, and accuracy for even better results and I recommend this as an option for all of my patients.”

The LenSx^® Laser starts by capturing precise, hi-res images of your eye and mapping a cataract surgery that’s 100% unique to you. The computer-controlled femtosecond laser then helps the eye doctor perform the surgery with exacting precision not attainable through traditional surgery. The LenSx^® Laser is especially good at addressing astigmatism for even more predictable results.

A femtosecond laser is one that emits pulses with durations between a few femtoseconds and hundreds of femtoseconds.

The LenSx^® Laser is the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients today!

LenSx Laser Surgery in Annapolis

Dr. Boles specializes in the treatment of both glaucoma and cataracts and has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. He is also passionate about educating his patients and their families about various eye diseases and treatment options. So if you have any questions about LenSx Laser Surgery for Cataract Treatment in Annapolis or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Dr. Sam Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Sources:

Designed for Growth, Myalcon.com

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery, Reclaimyourvision.com

Facts about Cataracts, National Eye Institute

LenSX Laser, Nvisioncenters.com

Eye Care FAQs: Am I at Risk for Developing Cataracts?

October 19, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

Unfortunately, everyone is at risk for developing cataracts. It is a normal part of aging. As we grow older, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s lens, better known as cataracts. In fact, nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80. There are several factors, however, that can increase one’s risk of developing cataracts. These risk factors include:

Aging: As we have already mentioned, aging is a major factor for cataracts.

Genetics: If you have a family history of cataracts, you are more likely to develop cataracts, yourself.

Diabetes: The high blood sugar (glucose) associated with Diabetes can damage the lens of the eye, making individuals with Diabetes more susceptible to cataracts.

Smoking: Smoking can lead to the formation of chemicals called free radicals, which can damage the eye’s lens.

Infections during Pregnancy: Certain infections during pregnancy, like rubella or chickenpox, can put the infant at risk for developing cataracts before birth.

UVB Exposure: Ultraviolet B (UVB) has been linked to cataract development.

Steroid Medication: High doses of steroids or long-term use can increase one’s risks for cataracts.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

Blurred or blurry vision

Yellowing (clouding) of the eye’s lens

Difficulty with night vision

Sensitivity to light

“Halos” around lights

Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription

Fading or yellowing of colors

Double vision in only one eye

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor – ophthalmologist or optometrist – as soon as possible. But do not worry. Cataracts are very treatable.

Cataract Treatment

If the symptoms of cataracts persist, surgery is an excellent option for most individuals. Cataract surgery is a quick outpatient procedure involving the replacing of the damaged or clouded lens with a new synthetic lens. The surgery typically only takes about 10 minutes and most patients can resume their everyday activities in very little time. Many can even drive a few days following cataract surgery.

Plus, cataract surgery has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today.

To learn more about Cataracts or Cataract Surgery, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrists Dr. Nathan Frank and Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com. Staffed by caring and knowledgeable professionals, our state-of-the-art treatment center is dedicated to making the best eye care accessible to everyone.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Cataracts – What increases your risk?

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Eye Care News: Cataracts and Hip Fractures; are they Linked?

August 31, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

A recent study found that people who had undergone cataract surgery had a 16% lower risk of hip fracture one year after the procedure.

Falls and the resulting bone fractures are a major cause of disability and death among the elderly. Every year in the United, 350,000 people experience a hip fracture. And by the year 2050, this number is expected to be as high as 650,000 hip fractures annually. That is nearly 1,800 hip fractures a day.

Hip Fracture Statistics

Fall-related injuries cost the United States more than $10 billion in healthcare costs in 2000 alone.

90% of all hip fractures in the United States are the result of a fall.

The cost of hip fracture care averages $26,912 per patient.

Only 25% of hip fracture patients make a full recovery.

40% of hip fracture patients require nursing home care.

50% of hip fracture patients need a cane or walker.

24% of hip fracture patients over the age of 50 pass away within 12 months of the injury.

Cataract Surgery & the Prevention of Hip Fractures

A new study suggests that cataract surgery could reduce the possibility of hip fractures in the elderly by as much as 23%. This makes sense considering vision impairment is one of the major risk factors for falls among the elderly.

“Cataract surgery has already been demonstrated to be a cost-effective intervention for visual improvement,” wrote researcher Victoria Tseng, MD, of Brown University, and colleagues in the Journal of the American Medical Association. “The results in this study suggest the need for further investigation of the additional potential benefit of cataract surgery as a cost-effective intervention to decrease the incidence of fractures in the elderly.”

Researchers studied the risk of hip fracture for one year among the more than 1 million Medicare patients age 65 and older who had been diagnosed with cataracts between 2002 and 2009. And of these individuals, 36.9% had cataract surgery during the study period.

13,976 people (1.3%) had a hip fracture during the study.

Researchers found that people who had undergone cataract surgery had a 16% lower risk of hip fracture one year after the procedure.

“In patients with severe cataract, the association between cataract surgery and lower odds of hip fracture was even stronger, with a 23% reduction in the adjusted odds of hip fracture in the cataract surgery group compared with the cataract diagnosis group,” wrote researchers.

What are Cataracts?

As we age, our eyes undergo natural wear and tear, resulting in the clouding of the eye’s natural lens. This clouding is known as cataracts. This is a normal part of the aging process. If we live long enough, we will all develop cataracts at some point in our lives.

“I like to compare it to the clear plastic window in the back of a convertible car,” said board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles, M.D. “After years of exposure to sun and weather, the plastic becomes yellow and cloudy.”

Anne Arundel Eye Center: Cataracts Treatment in Annapolis, Maryland

A regional leader in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma and cataracts, Anne Arundel Eye Center offers a wide range of advanced procedures to improve and preserve your vision. Anne Arundel Eye Center provides complete medical eye exams as well as diagnostic surgical eye care. Should you require surgery, your comfort and wellbeing are our top priority. From pre-op testing to post-op care, you can be assured you’re in expert hands.

To learn more about Cataracts, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision. Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Cataract Surgery May Help Prevent Hip Fractures

Falls and Hip Fractures

June is Cataract Awareness Month :: Cataracts Symptoms and Treatment

May 31, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center Leave a Comment

Interesting Facts about Cataracts

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older.
Nearly half of all adults will develop cataracts by age 80.
Acquired cataracts account for over 99% of all cataracts. Congenital cataracts account for less than 1%.
Cataracts surgery is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States.

Types of Cataracts

Subcapsular Cataracts: This type of cataract begins at the back of the lens.
Nuclear Cataracts: This type of cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and develops due to natural aging changes.
Cortical Cataracts: This type of cataract forms in the lens cortex and gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center.

The type of cataract you have will affect exactly which signs and symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. Still, there is no need to worry; cataracts are very treatable and can be detected long before the lens becomes cloudy.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

Blurry sight, and occasionally, double vision
‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult
Colors may become faded
Eyeglasses prescription changes frequently

If you feel you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor as soon as possible. Any sudden change in your vision is a serious medical condition that requires prompt medical attention from your optometrist or ophthalmologist.

Cataract Treatment

If the symptoms of cataracts persist and become bothersome, surgery is an excellent option for most people.

Cataract surgery involves removing the clouded lens and, in most cases, replacing it with a clear, intraocular lens implant (IOL). Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure and has the highest success rate of any surgery practiced today. Most patients can resume their normal, everyday function in very little time and can even drive a few days after surgery.

More Information on Intraocular Lenses (IOL)

Previously, Intraocular lenses (IOL) only allowed for vision at one distance (mono-focal lenses), meaning cataract patients still benefit from glasses after surgery. Newer advanced technology IOLs, however, allow for a much greater range of vision, further decreasing the patient’s dependence on glasses.

Advanced technology lenses, also referred to as Premium IOLs, available include: Multi-focal, Accommodating, and Dual-Optic Accommodating. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, including some out of pocket expenses. To find out which lens makes the most sense for you, consult your eye doctor.

A consultation with an experienced and knowledgeable Ophthalmologist will help guide you through your decision. You may find out that a particular lens suits your needs very well.

To learn more about Cataracts, Intraocular Lenses, and Proper Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Learn About Cataracts: Facts, Stats, and FAQs

Cataract Diagnosis, Prevention and Treatment

June 15, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center 1 Comment

A cataract is clouding of the eye’s lens, which is located behind the iris and pupil. Cataracts, which are caused by protein buildup, usually only effects the elderly.

Cataracts are classified as one of three types:

• A subcapsular cataract begins at the back of the lens. People with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa, or those taking high doses of steroids, may develop a subcapsular cataract.

• A nuclear cataract is most commonly seen as it forms. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.

• A cortical cataract forms in the lens cortex and gradually extends its spokes from the outside of the lens to the center. Many diabetics develop cortical cataracts.

This article from eHow.com provides a few helpful Ways to prevent cataracts:

1. Protect your eyes when out in bright sunlight. Wear sunglasses that block strong ultraviolet (UV) rays or a wide-brimmed hat that will shade your eyes from the sun.

2. Stop smoking. A strong link between smoking and the development of cataracts has been established. If you’re a smoker, smoking cessation will decrease your chances of getting a cataract.

3. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. The proper intake of some vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, has shown to help avoid getting a cataract. Try to get six servings of fruits and vegetables throughout the day.

4. Manage your diabetes, if you suffer from this disease. Diabetes can cause eye problems, including the development of cataracts. Keeping your diabetes under control can help you avoid getting a cataract if you are diabetic.

5. Get thorough eye examinations regularly. For those 60 years of age and over, a comprehensive eye exam should be conducted every year.

Of course, if you do find yourself with the symptoms of cataracts, make an appointment to see an optometrist as soon as possible.

Cataracts Symptoms:

• Blurry sight, and occasionally, double vision

• ‘Halos’ — the eyes become dazzled by bright light, making night driving difficult

• Colors may become faded

• Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions

Cataract development may be detected early and avoided. Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

So if you think you may be at risk, schedule an eye appointment as soon as possible. If you have any questions, contact Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here today!

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