Cataracts

Cataracts slowly cloud your vision in older age. If you’re finding things increasingly blurry, talk to fellowship-trained ophthalmologist Dr. Tu of New York Eye and Glaucoma Specialist PLLC: Yufei Tu, MD in the Flushing district of Queens in New York City. Dr. Tu offers effective treatment, including advanced cataract surgery to restore your sight. Call Dr. Tu’s office or request an appointment online today to see if cataract surgery is the right option for you.

What are cataracts?

Cataracts affect your eye’s lenses, clouding your vision. The lens bends light as it enters the eye, delivering it to your retina at the back of the eyeball. The accuracy of this light placement determines your vision’s clarity.

When you reach about 40, the proteins in your eye begin breaking down. The protein fragments clump together, creating a cataract and clouding the lens. Over time the cloudiness worsens, so your sight becomes increasingly poor.

These changes happen slowly, so you might be unaware of any sight deterioration at first. Gradually you’ll notice changes such as:

• Blurriness
• Poor night sight
• Increased glare sensitivity
• Halos around lights
• Double vision

You might have difficulties performing daily activities like reading, using tools, or driving. Dr. Tu can confirm if these symptoms are due to cataracts or other causes after carrying out a thorough eye exam. He performs tests using specialized lights and lenses to evaluate each cataract and determine its size and location. 

How are cataracts treated?

You might benefit from conservative cataract treatments initially, such as medication, prescription eye drops, and dietary changes.

However, cataract surgery is usually best as a permanent solution.

What does cataract surgery involve?

Dr. Tu typically performs cataract surgery on an outpatient basis. You have a local anesthetic to numb the eye and intravenous (IV) sedation. Dr. Tu makes a small incision in your eye and carefully removes the diseased lens. This might sound scary, but it’s quick, and you won’t feel any pain. Next, Dr. Tu inserts an intraocular lens (IOL) implant to replace the lens.

Dr. Tu is an expert in using laser technology to perform cataract surgery. This approach has several distinct advantages over traditional methods:

Minimally invasive technique

A cataract laser creates a precise opening to your eye’s interior. It breaks up the diseased lens so Dr. Tu can remove it with minimal effort. That means less strain on your eye’s sensitive tissues and structures, significantly reducing the chance of postsurgical inflammation.

Exceptional accuracy

Dr. Tu uses detailed measurement data that he programs into the laser. This enables him to plan your surgery in detail, customizing it to your exact needs. Precise surgery increases the artificial lens’s stability, ensuring you enjoy the best possible sight afterward. The precision openings created by the laser help to prevent any problems with incisions and ensure perfect artificial lens alignment.

Call New York Eye and Glaucoma Specialist PLLC: Yufei Tu, MD, to see if you could benefit from cataract surgery or book an appointment online today.