Understanding Cataract Surgery
Spindel Eye Associates: Your New Hampshire Cataract Surgeons

Modern day cataract surgery makes use of a wide spectrum of high-tech equipment and surgical techniques. Long gone are the days when cataract surgery required a weeklong stay in a hospital. No stitch, No Patch, microsurgery is now a standard of care here in New Hampshire. At Spindel Eye Associates cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that takes 30 minutes or less and lets you get back to your normal activity level within a few days. Our patients are literally amazed by the healing time and often resume activities much sooner than expected. If you are seeking a New Hampshire cataract surgery specialist, the eye doctors are Spindel Eye Associates would encourage you to visit one of our many locations in New Hampshire and feel free to read more about cataract surgery below.

Doctor Spindel and Dr. Novey, take pride in performing “state of the art” surgery for cataracts. Cataract surgery is performed:

• In an approved outpatient surgery center so you go home the same day.
• With a small incision, no stitch, microscopic technique so your vision returns rapidly.
• With topical anesthesia involving only eye drops and no pain.
• With a foldable intraocular lens which may reduce or eliminate nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. You may not need to wear glasses after modern cataract surgery.

“State of the art” cataract surgery has been shown to be an effective way to restore vision with very few risks and complications.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be compared to a window that is frosted or “fogged” with steam.

There are many misconceptions about cataract. It is:

• Not a film over the eye;
• Not caused by overusing the eyes;
• Not a cancer;
• Not spread from one eye to the other;
• Not a cause of irreversible blindness.

Common symptoms of cataract include:

• A painless blurring of vision;
• Glare, or light sensitivity;
• Frequent eyeglass prescription changes;
• Double vision in one eye;
• Needing brighter light to read;
• Poor night vision;
• Fading or yellowing of colors

The amount and patterns of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a cataract is present.

What causes cataract?

The most common type of cataract is related to aging of the eye. Other causes of cataract include:

• Family history;
• Medical problems, such as diabetes;
• Injury to the eye;
• Medications, such as steroids;
• Long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight;
• Previous eye surgery

How is a cataract detected?

A thorough eye examination by your ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) can detect the presence and extent of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that may be causing blurred vision or discomfort.

There may be other reasons for visual loss in addition to the cataract, particularly problems involving the retina or optic nerve. If these problems are present, perfect vision may not return after cataract removal.

If such conditions are severe, removal of the cataract may not result in any improvement in vision. Your ophthalmologist can tell you how much visual improvement is likely.

How quickly the cataract develops varies among individuals, and may vary even between two eyes. Most cataracts associated with aging progress gradually over a period of years.

Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes, may progress rapidly over a few months and cause vision to worsen. It is not possible to predict exactly how fast cataracts will develop in any given person.

How is cataract treated?

Surgery is the only way your ophthalmologist can remove the cataract. However, if symptoms from a cataract are mild, a change of glasses may be all that is needed for you to function more comfortably.

There are no medications, dietary supplements, exercises or optical devices that have been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.

Protection from excessive sunlight may help prevent or slow the progression of cataracts. Sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular eyeglasses with a clear, anti-UV coating offer this protection.

Our Cataract Surgeons (Read more about the vast experience of our own New Hampshire cataract surgeons)

Gerald P. Spindel, M.D.
Brad P. Novey, M.D.

The Cataract Surgery Process
Choosing a New Hampshire cataract surgeon can be difficult if you are not properly educated about cataracts and how this cataract is removed. Cataract surgery is the only way to remove a cataract and restore clear vision.

During cataract surgery, the natural lens of your eye is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant. The surgical process involves a small incision phacoemulsification technique and why many eye doctors refer to this as micro-surgery. This means that the cataract surgery is performed using the smallest possible incision, and removal of the lens material is accomplished using an ultrasonic needle. Once the eye has been properly dilated, the eye is then prepared with a cleaning solution. Topical anesthetic is then administered to the surface of the eye. Next, under a microscope an incision of 3 millimeters in length is then created at the junction of the cornea (the clear structure on the front of the eye) and the sclera (the white part of the eye). Another dose of anesthetic is then administered inside the eye through this incision. The front part of the lens envelope, know as the lens capsule, is carefully opened so that the lens material can be removed. This is accomplished using a needle-like ultrasonic device, which pulverizes the hardened and yellowed lens proteins known as the cataract. The pulverized material is simultaneously vacuumed from the eye. Once the cataract material has been removed a foldable (IOL) intraocular lens is then inserted through the main incision and positioned into the lens capsule. The lens will remain inside your eye in this location without moving. Intraocular lenses cannot be felt or sensed in any way by the patient. Patients can now elect to have premium lens implants during the cataract surgery process that may enable vision without glasses after surgery. Please feel free to consult one of our physicians or staff members regarding this amazing new technology.

After Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is virtually painless and recovery is quick. You will notice improvement in your vision; however, you may still need glasses for some tasks. We ask that you arrange transportation after the surgery as your vision will be impaired.  Most patients only experience relatively minimal discomfort after cataract surgery, and they may also encounter some mild redness or a sensation of itchiness in the affected eye. Spindel Eye Associates will provide you with eye drops and a protective shield to wear over your eyes at night to prevent complications.