Cataract Surgery

The cataract surgeons at the Kansas City Eye Clinic are specialists in diagnosis, assessment and surgical treatment of your cataract. Kansas City Eye Clinic offers you the latest in technology, especially when it comes to the diagnosis and treatment of cataracts. There are two great options when it comes to cataract surgery: traditional cataract surgery and laser assisted cataract surgery.

Your eyes work very much like a camera. Seeing clearly depends on the health and condition of the “camera lenses” of your eye: the cornea and the eye’s natural “crystalline lens.” The clouding of the eye’s crystalline lens is called a cataract. Cataracts are a leading cause of visual loss for people as they age. They can cause the sharpness in your vision to become blurry, bright colors to seem dull and seeing at night more difficult. There are no medications or other treatments to make cataracts go away. Fortunately, about 98% of cataract surgery patients have a complication-free experience.

When your cataract is removed the clouded lens is replaced with an intraocular lens (or, IOL). Exciting advances in IOL technology have given many patients a range of options to restore distance vision and to correct near and intermediate vision as well. These lenses are called trifocal, multifocal, or extended depth of focus IOLs. There are also lenses to correct corneal astigmatism called toric IOLs. The newest technology available at our clinic is called the Light Adjustable Lens. Especially for patients who have had previous LASIK or RK surgery, but available to anyone who will qualify, the LAL is the only IOL that can be customized after surgery. No lens or procedure can guarantee that a patient will be able to see without eyeglasses, but your Kansas City Eye Clinic surgeon will help you determine what option is best for you.

When your cataracts limit your lifestyle or your activities, you should discuss your treatment options with your Kansas City Eye Clinic doctor and they will recommend the best plan specifically designed for you. If you would like to make an appointment for a Cataract Evaluation, you may request one here or call us at (913) 341-3100. Please fill out Pre-Cataract Surgery VF-14 Survey and the Lifestyle Questionnaire and bring them in with you to your evaluation.

Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery

Laser assisted cataract surgery is now available as a surgical option at the Kansas City Eye Clinic. Traditional cataract surgery has been performed effectively and safely for decades and is still a great option for many patients.

The Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery Procedure

While traditional surgery uses a blade to to make the incision, the laser makes the incision with specific location, depth, and length based upon the 3-D image of the eye captured during surgery.

The cataract is encapsulated in a clear bag and in order for the surgeon to remove the cataract, the front of the bag will need to be opened. During traditional surgery, the surgeon will use surgical instruments to make a circular opening in the front of this bag. However, during laser assisted cataract surgery the laser makes this circular opening with precision in the center of the bag.

In order to remove the cataract, it must first be broken up into smaller pieces. During traditional surgery this is done by inserting an ultrasonic device to break up the cataract. During laser assisted surgery, less energy is applied by the laser to break up the cataract into smaller pieces.

For both traditional and laser assisted surgery, the pieces are removed by a small device and then the intraocular lens implant (IOL) is placed into the eye. Both options produce successful outcomes and happy patients.

At the Kansas City Eye Clinic we care about you and your vision. We work closely with you to determine what is important to you and your vision goals. We customize every surgical plan to you and your lifestyle. When you arrive for your Cataract Evaluation, we will take several measurements of your eyes that will produce high quality images and data that the surgeon will analyze and review to recommend the best surgical plan for you. We are constantly working to bring you the best care and the newest technology for safe and successful visual outcomes. If you are ready to schedule your Cataract Evaluation, please call 913.341.3100 or request your appointment here.

Cataract Packages

Traditional cataract surgery is covered by your medical insurance (subject to plan deductibles, copays, and coinsurance). Your medical insurance will cover the basic surgeon and facility fees, but will not cover the cosmetic and elective costs of fixing astigmatism and/or presbyopia.

Traditional surgery with a monofocal intraocular lens implant. Provides clear vision for a single distance. It is likely that you will need to wear glasses after surgery for some activities. Monovision is an option: correct dominant eye for distance and non-dominant eye for computer or near vision. Does not correct astigmatism (irregularly shaped cornea that causes blurred or distorted vision). Patients with astigmatism will need glasses after surgery to see clearly at all distances. Covered by insurance (subject to plan deductibles, copays, and coinsurance).

Bladeless laser assisted surgery with a monofocal intraocular lens implant and astigmatism correction. Provides clear vision for a single distance with astigmatism correction. If vision corrected for distance, then will need over-the-counter reading glasses after surgery. Monovision is an option. Additional out of pocket cost for astigmatic correction.

Bladeless laser assisted surgery with a toric intraocular lens (IOL) implant for astigmatism correction, with additional astigmatism correction with the laser. Provides clear vision for a single distance with astigmatism correction. If vision corrected for distance, then will need over-the-counter reading glasses after surgery. Monovision is an option. Additional out of pocket cost for astigmatic correction with the toric IOL.

Available with astigmatism correction. Bladeless laser assisted surgery with an extended depth of focus intraocular lens (IOL) implant to reduce the need for glasses after surgery. This IOL has the ability to give you computer and some reading capabilities without glasses. May need over-the-counter reading glasses on occasion for very fine detail. Astigmatic correction available under certain parameters. Additional out of pocket cost for astigmatic and presbyopic correction with the extended depth of focus IOL.

Available with astigmatism correction. Bladeless laser assisted surgery with a trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) implant to reduce the need for glasses after surgery. It delivers a combinations of near, intermediate, and distance vision and can substantially reduce the need for glasses. Additional out of pocket cost for astigmatic and presbyopic correction with trifocal IOL.

Available with astigmatism correction. Bladeless laser assisted surgery with the Light Adjustable Lens intraocular lens implant. It is the first IOL that can be adjusted after surgery for optimal vision. After several measurements and light treatments after the initial cataract surgery, the refractive power in the IOL can be adjusted for patient preference up to a certain amount. Protective UV glasses must be worn until the IOL is locked-in at the last light treatment. Additional out of pocket cost for these IOLs. Insurance considers this adjustable correction as cosmetic, non-covered service.