Cataract Surgery in Rochester Hills, MI
Cataracts cloud the normally clear lens of the eye, eventually making it difficult to perform daily activities such as reading, driving, or computer work. If you feel like cataracts might be impacting your life, it may be time for a professional evaluation of your cataracts. With his decades of experience and reputation for outstanding surgical outcomes and effective communication skills, you can trust that Dr. Vrabec is the best cataract surgeon in the metro Detroit area for providing you with a thorough and honest surgical opinion.
Top Cataract Surgeon in Detroit
Dr Vrabec is a board-certified ophthalmologist who has personally performed over 5000 cataract surgeries in over 15 years of practice, ensuring that if you do ultimately choose to have cataract surgery, you are in excellent hands. Our entire team at the Clear Vision Center has a vast knowledge and decades of combined personal experience with the latest surgical techniques and vision correcting lens (IOL) options, ensuring that you will feel at ease not only with your decision to have cataract surgery, but also what vision correction option is the best fit for you. At your cataract consultation, our experienced team of cataract experts will conduct a detailed evaluation of your entire eye, perform a full array of advanced testing, and discuss the procedure and vision correction options with you without pressuring you into a decision. We understand and respect that choosing to have cataract surgery is a big deal, and we are here to help you feel comfortable at every step of your journey.
A Personalized Approach to Cataract Surgery
Our philosophy is to give every patient who is a candidate the option to choose to regain control of their vision and see the world without glasses or contacts after cataract surgery. With our extensive screening process, advanced lens technology, and state-of-the-art surgery center, we are the leaders for cataract surgery in Rochester Hills. Even if you’ve been wearing corrective eyewear your entire life, we have the tools available to not only remove the cloudy cataract that is clouding your vision, and also reduce or eliminate your glasses. While some dream to be able to drive the scenic route without fussing with glasses, others want to play a match of golf or pickle ball without having encumbering eyewear getting in the way. Whatever your dream activity may be, we are here to help you achieve your goals of living life as it was meant to be – without glasses or contacts!
Common symptoms of cataracts may include: blurry vision, cloudy vision, reduced color intensity, glare or halos from oncoming traffic lights, difficulty reading, difficulty seeing road signs, or large changes in glasses prescriptions. Symptoms may vary widely between individuals, and typically worsen gradually (not suddenly) over time.
Prior to cataract surgery, you’ll have a detailed pre-operative consultation with your surgeon. Here you will learn about the benefits and risks of the procedure, including the pros and cons of the various lens replacement options. Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient, most commonly in our on-site office-base procedure suite. Before your surgery we ensure you are feeling relaxed with a mild oral sedative (Valium), and numb the surface of the eye thoroughly with an eye drop. Rest assured, you will not feel or see anything during the procedure! It takes about 10 minutes for the entire procedure, where Dr. Vrabec will carefully wash away the cloudy cataract lens through microscopic incisions before restoring and improving your vision with the artificial lens placement. With most cataract surgery, we correct one eye at a time in staggered fashion, two weeks apart, although exceptions can be made. Our goal is two-fold: a successful AND comfortable experience!
At the Clear Vision Center, we offer three vision correction options with cataract surgery. Read more about each option below:
Custom Distance and Near Vision Correction
For good candidates who want the optimal combination of high-quality vision and freedom from glasses, we recommend our fully customized vision correction solution: the Custom Full Focus package. Utilizing his nearly 20 years of experience personally using advanced technology lenses, Dr Vrabec carefully evaluates the health of your eyes and recommends a custom combination of lenses uniquely tailored to each individual. For each Custom Full Focus candidate, we focus on three main goals: achieve highest quality of vision possible, achieve greatest freedom from glasses possible, and achieve the least visual side effects (glare, halos, starbursts) possible. After assessing all of the information available about your eye health and goals, Dr Vrabec will discuss his specific recommendation for the optimal lens combination for you at your consultation. Common lenses utilized with this option are the RxSight light-adjustable lens (LAL), the Alcon PanOptix lens, and the Alcon Vivity extended depth-of-focus lens. Astigmatism correction is also included. Since not every lens will work well with every patient, we firmly believe this custom approach to vision correction with cataract surgery (rather than recommending one manufacturer’s lens technology to every patient) ensures the highest possible chance of success and patient satisfaction.
Custom Distance Vision Correction
For those who desire HD quality distance vision and are comfortable wearing reading glasses after surgery, we recommend our Custom Distance package. For appropriate candidates, we utilize the light-adjustable lens (LAL) technology to maximize the quality of your distance vision for optimized highway driving, high contrast sensitivity, excellent depth perception, and the least chance of visual side effects. Light-adjustable lens technology allows us to correct any residual refractive errors caused by astigmatism or nearsightedness one month after surgery. This results in > 99% success in achieving 20/20 vision, with many patients achieving even better than this. As we are aiming for laser-focussed distance vision in both eyes with this option, reading glasses are a must and computer glasses may also be required.
Distance Vision Correction
For those who wish to drive without glasses and are on a tight budget, we offer incredible value in our Clear to Drive package. For appropriate candidates, this combines an upgraded single focus lens with either toric (astigmatism-correcting) features or incisional management of astigmatism (IMA). Over 75% of patients having cataract surgery have visually-significant astigmatism, and by correcting your astigmatism with this lens and surgical technology we can better optimize your vision to drive safely without glasses. The benefits of this advanced technology are improved range of vision and depth-of-focus compared to a basic single focus lens. As we are aiming for uncorrected distance vision in both eyes with this option, reading glasses are a must and computer glasses may also be required.
Note: The Clear Vision Center and vision correction options cannot guarantee uncorrected 20/20 vision after this or any procedure. Discuss your visual potential and our surgical success and patient satisfaction rate with your surgeon prior to the procedure at your consultation.
Yes it can! With an advanced technology toric lens, or incisional management of astigmatism, we are able to reduce or eliminate astigmatism to non-visually significant levels. All advanced technology lenses such as PanOptix, Vivity, and the Light-Adjustable Lens can also correct astigmatism in addition to their ability to correct distance and near vision.
In short, the answer is no! Cataract surgery is performed under something called topical anesthesia. Topical anesthesia means that we give you a very light sedation (typically a low-dose of Valium), and numb the surface of the eye with eye drops. In fact, these are the same eye drops you sometimes receive in the eye clinic as part of your routine exam! The combination of Valium and numbing eye drops means that we can remove the cataract painlessly. The incisions are so tiny, they can only be made while your surgeon is working under the microscope, and will never be visible to the naked eye after the procedure either. During the rest of the procedure, you remain in a very content, relaxed state, and all you will notice are some bright, colored lights, some funny sounds coming from our cataract-removing ultrasound machine, and the calming voice of Dr. Vrabec telling you that things are moving along nicely. After your surgery is over, the eye is typically quite comfortable, although some patients notice irritation, dryness, or watering of the eye for 3-4 hours after the procedure. In those cases, we recommend heading home for a short nap, which typically alleviates those symptoms quickly. The vast majority of patients feel that the eye is back to normal within 24-48 hours, although some will experience temporary dryness of the eyes for 2-4 weeks after surgery.
Like any procedure, there is a recovery period where the body (eye in this case) needs to heal. We talk about recovery time from cataract surgery occurring in three phases. The first phase (24-hours post-procedure) you’ll want to plan for some down time. It’s common for the eye to be scratchy, dry, watery and the vision will still be blurry. During the second phase (Day 2-7), your vision typically starts to improve rapidly and the eye feels back to normal in most cases. However, we still ask that you don’t do any heavy lifting, bending, or straining during this period to reduce the possibility of infection or disruption of the artificial lens position. The good news is that most patients are able to drive and return to work (with restrictions) during this phase. The final phase, which occurs over the 3-4 week period after surgery, we ask that you use steroid eye drops on a tapering schedule to help the eye heal to completion. In addition, during this time, the new lens is finding its permanent place in the eye, which sometimes leads to some fluctuations in vision. Mild dry eye symptoms are also common during this stage, and many patients use OTC artificial tear eye drops to keep the eyes well-lubricated as they heal. At the end of this phase, we can prescribe your new glasses prescription (if you opted for a basic monofocal lens), or return you to your normal life full of the activities you desire!
Most likely, the answer is no. Once the cloudy cataract lens has been removed, it does not come back. The new artificial lens is designed to stay with you and perform its job the rest of your life! This is why we remind patients to make a careful choice about what lens (and visual lifestyle) they are looking for in the decades to come. Despite a high success rate, less than 1% of patients heal differently than “normal” and are left with under-corrected or over-corrected vision. In many cases, we are able to correct these minor imperfections with glasses, contacts, or laser vision correction (LASIK), but in more significant corrective errors, we may need to re-align or even exchange the lens for a different size. If performed within the first two months after your original cataract surgery, this can be done as safely and comfortably as your original procedure in the office.
Yes! Traditionally, having cataract surgery after LASIK can create lens prediction problems for the surgeon, leading to a higher rate of refractive surprises (under or over-correction of vision with the new artificial lens). However, with advanced pre-operative measurements, AI-based lens calculation formulas, and the advent of the light-adjustable lens (RxLAL), we are more precise than ever with our visual outcomes in patients whom have had previous LASIK. If you were happy with the glasses-free benefits of LASIK in the past and now need cataract surgery, chances are we have the perfect solution for you!
A secondary cataract or posterior capsule opacification (PCO) occurs in >50% of patients undergoing cataract surgery. This occurs when a thin film of scar tissue develops behind the new lens implant, and begins to obstruct vision. The timeline for development of a PCO can vary from just a few months to many years. In mild cases, a PCO is asymptomatic and can be safely observed. However, if the PCO is significantly impacting vision, it can safely and painlessly be corrected with an in-office laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy. If this happens to you, don’t worry! It is very common, covered by insurance like regular cataract surgery, and we can help you correct this right in our office.
In most cases, yes! Provided that you have a visually-significant cataract as determined by your eye surgeon, most insurance companies will cover the removal of the cloudy lens and replacement with a basic, monofocal lens. If you wish to correct your vision beyond the limitations of a basic monofocal lens and have less dependence on glasses, there are additional out-of-pocket expenses. We will review these costs with you and provide a fully transparent quote to you of the costs involved prior to your procedure.
Traditional manual cataract surgery has come a long way since it’s development in the 1970s. In the 1990s, newer laser technology was developed that could replace some of the steps of manual cataract surgery with a laser, known as femtosecond laser assisted cataract surgery, or FLACS. While incisions made using FLACS are more consistent and precise, long-term comparison studies did not show statistically significant improvements in surgical outcomes with FLACS compared to a skilled cataract surgeon using manual techniques. In addition, FLACS only replaces some steps of surgery, meaning you will still need many of the same steps of manual surgery including phacoemulsification (ultrasound) to actually remove the cataract and place an artificial lens. While some patients will benefit from incisional management of astigmatism (IMA) from procedures such as limbal relaxing incisions (LRI), these can be performed manually with equal success using newer surgical guidance systems like Zeiss Callisto and cloud-based vision correction software Zeiss Veracity. Think of it like a GPS unit for the eye surgeon! Laser cataract surgery also has potential downsides as well, including longer procedure times, increased risk of some surgical complications like intra-operative floppy iris syndrome (IFIS), wound leaks, and conjunctival hemorrhage. It also adds additional costs to the procedure, as insurance does not cover FLACS.
Bottom line: do you need laser cataract surgery? While the technology continues to evolve, it is our belief that the best surgical outcomes still come from manual cataract surgery combined with computer-guided incisional management of astigmatism (IMA) using Zeiss Callisto and advanced technology lens implants such as the RxSight light-adjustable lens (LAL). With these 3D laser-guided surgery systems and advanced lenses, we are able to strike the perfect balance between technology and time-tested techniques. Given our commitment to outstanding outcomes, if newer laser technology or data proves a definitive benefit with FLACS, you can rest assured we will offer this service at our office-based procedure suite. In the meantime, for patients who insist on a bladeless cataract procedure and wish to have FLACS, we do offer this service at one of our partner outpatient surgery centers. Contact us for additional information!
Top Reasons to Have Cataract Surgery at Clear Vision Center
- Modern office-based surgery suite
- Experienced, Board-certified surgeon dedicated to exceptional results and patient satisfaction
- 5 Star Google Rating & “Top Docs” Annually Since 2014
- Full array of custom vision correction options to get out of glasses after surgery
- No IV or fasting required before procedure
- Enhanced precision with advanced screening and laser-guided astigmatism management
- Fully array of advanced technology lens options, including the RxSight light-adjustable lens (LAL)
- Refractive enhancements included with vision-correcting options
- Friendly, helpful staff and family-like atmosphere
- Accepting most medical insurances, including Medicare
Explore Your Lens Options
RxSight Light-Adjustable Lens
The light-adjustable lens is the only lens that allows you to customize your vision after the procedure. We use a revolutionary lens implant that can be adjusted or fine-tuned to your liking in the weeks following surgery. This allows us to correct your astigmatism after the eye has healed, and has the highest rate of 20/20 vision following surgery! More Information On Light-Adjustable Lens
Alcon PanOptix IOL
With skilled selection and placement by an experienced surgeon, the PanOptix IOL corrects distance, intermediate (computer), and near vision. It also corrects mild-moderate degrees of astigmatism. Patients may in some cases require mild readers for very tiny print, particularly in dim lighting conditions. Nighttime glare and halos are a possibility, but in most cases do not impact your ability to drive at night. A large-scale study of the PanOptix IOL found that 99.8% of patients said they would choose the PanOptix IOL if they had to make the decision again.
Alcon Vivity IOL
With skilled selection and placement by an experienced surgeon, this IOL will correct your distance vision, as well as the intermediate zone (computer distance). It also corrects mild-moderate degrees of astigmatism. It has a lower rate of nighttime glare and halos compared to the PanOptix IOL, but would still require reading glasses for fine print in most cases.
Toric IOL
With skilled selection and placement by an experienced surgeon, a Toric IOL more optimally corrects either distance, intermediate (computer), OR near vision in patients with astigmatism in comparison to a standard monofocal IOL. By correcting astigmatism with the IOL, you may reduce your dependence on glasses for primarily one are of focus, but will continue to need glasses for the other areas of focus.