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Area’s Most Advanced Treatment for Cataracts is Laser Surgery

Bladeless procedure means faster recovery

DAYTON, Ohio (October 18, 2013) – Surgeons at Ohio Eyecare Institute are the first in the Dayton area to use new technology that enables the bladeless removal of cataracts with less trauma to a patient’s eye than traditional methods.

The technology – purchased by and housed at Miami Valley Hospital – is known as the Alcon LenSx laser. It is the latest breakthrough in the ever-evolving treatment of cataracts, a medical condition whereby the lens in the eye used to help focus light or project images becomes clouded. Cataracts are a very common condition among older adults and it is estimated that by age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Today more than 22 million Americans over the age of 40 have cataracts, and that number is expected to grow to 30 million by 2020. Industry experts say patients’ expectations of cataract treatment is steadily increasing and making more advanced treatments like laser surgery more desirable.

“Cataract surgery is always evolving,” said Amina Husain, MD, a surgeon with Ohio Eyecare Institute, a member of Premier Health Specialists. “The procedure has changed over the years, but the basic thread throughout has been to become minimally invasive.”

Sharon Meyer was one of the first patients to undergo the laser surgery on her cataract. A week before, she had undergone surgery on her other eye using the traditional method. She noticed a stark difference in the two procedures and was overwhelmed by the laser procedure’s ease and speed.

“It was absolutely the most amazing thing I have ever seen in my life,” Meyer said. “It was like I blinked my eye and it was over.”

Cataract surgery involves the careful work of a trained surgeon who must follow the circular outline of the eye’s lens in order to break up and remove the hard tissue through ultrasound. Cataract laser surgery offers more precise and predictable outlines of the lens and can be done in less time. The surgery can offer a quicker recovery time for some patients.

“With this new technology, many patients are capable of being up and about the next day,” said Edward Thomas, MD, the surgeon who performed Meyer’s surgery. “There is a big improvement in their ability to get up and get around.”

Cataracts is the leading cause of blindness in the world. Fortunately, in the United States, treatment such a surgery can be used as an effective proactive tool to prevent the condition from leading to blindness. Common symptoms of cataracts including blurry vision, colors that seem faded, glare, not being able to see well at night, double vision and frequent prescription changes in eye wear. There are very few preventable risk factors since the top contributing factor is aging.

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