Medical technology for cataract treatment has advanced significantly in the past few decades. Anesthesia is now administered in the form of eye drops instead of injections, and in most cases, patients no longer require sutures after cataract removal. Dr. Nemi, your cataract surgeon at Lotus Vision in Alpharetta, Georgia performs state-of-the-art phacoemulsification to remove cataracts using ultrasound energy.
How Is Phacoemulsification Cataract Removal Performed?
Cataract removal with phacoemulsification is performed on an outpatient basis under topical anesthesia and intravenous sedation. After sedation and numbing drugs are administered, Dr. Nemi makes two very small incisions (two millimeters and one millimeter) in the cornea (the transparent layer forming the front of the eye). A thick, sticky, glue-like material made from substances naturally occurring in the body is then injected into the cornea to help maintain its shape during the procedure.
Dr. Nemi creates an opening in the lens capsule (the natural sac that holds the lens in place). The lens is then separated from the lens capsule using a balanced saline solution. When the capsule is open, and the lens can move freely inside, Dr. Nemi uses a special ultrasound device to break up the lens into tiny pieces and suction it from the eye.
After the natural lens is removed from the eye, more thick, sticky material is injected to hold the lens capsule open and allow for placement of a new, artificial lens. This long-term replacement lens, known as an intraocular lens (IOL), allows more light and sharper images to reach the retina.
The thick, sticky material that was injected to maintain the shape of the eye is removed. The two small incisions made at the beginning of surgery self-seal and do not require sutures in most cases.
Cataract removal using phacoemulsification is not painful during or after the procedure. After cataract surgery in Atlanta, Georgia, you will need to use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory eye drops for a few weeks.
Why Are Stitches Usually Not Required in Phacoemulsification?
This cutting-edge procedure requires only a tiny incision that is constructed to be self-sealing. A foldable lens is inserted through the small, two-millimeter, water-tight incision. Surgeries that require a larger incision to place an intraocular lens that cannot be folded may require one stitch.
What Are the Advantages of Phacoemulsification for Cataract Removal?
The major advantage of phacoemulsification is a small, self-sealing incision. Traditional cataract surgery required a much larger incision (10 to 12 mm) and sutures for closing.
Phacoemulsification cataract surgery reduces the risk of complications. With faster and more predictable wound healing, it has a shorter recovery time than conventional cataract removal and is far easier on the patient. As incisions are small and stitches are usually not required, this procedure also reduces the risk of cornea distortion and astigmatism (deviation from spherical curvature resulting in distorted images).
The Centurion Vision System is the most advanced technology platform for cataract removal with phacoemulsification – a surgical technique that uses ultrasound energy to break up and remove cataracts. Our board-certified cataract surgeon uses the Centurion Vision System for superior outcomes in cataract surgery in Atlanta.
What Is Different About the Centurion Vision System?
This system, is specially designed to provide eye surgeons with superior cataract removal capabilities. It is the only intelligent phacoemulsification technology that optimizes every step of cataract removal surgery.
The Centurion Vision System continuously and automatically adapts to changing conditions within the eye during surgery. Throughout the procedure, it provides greater stability of the anterior chamber -- the fluid-filled space between the iris and the innermost surface of the cornea. In addition, it provides Dr. Nemi at Lotus Vision with optimized energy technology and surgical precision in eye surgery.
Benefits of Cataract Removal with the Centurion Vision System
Ultrasonic phacoemulsification is the gold standard in cataract surgery. It uses a small ultrasonic probe, inserted into a tiny incision at the edge of the eye, to gently break up a natural lens that is cloudy because of cataracts into tiny pieces and suction them out of the eye.
Advanced Technology for Cataract Removal at Lotus Vision
The Centurion Vision System offers advanced technology that uses ultrasound in combination with mechanical oscillation to break up the cataract faster and to allow for greater surgical precision and control. It provides an advanced system for inserting the folded replacement lens through a tiny incision, unfolding it, and locking it into position.
Using the Centurion Vision System to perform cataract removal surgery, Dr. Nemi at Lotus Vision has increased flexibility and greater control. With multiple removal options provided, he selects the cataract removal method that will most benefit you. We serve Alpharetta and the greater Atlanta, Georgia area, providing state-of-the-art treatments in a clean, elegant, boutique eye clinic where you can expect caring, professional treatment.
