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Cataracts, occurring in people aged 65 or older, are a common problem. In fact, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed and most successful procedure in the U.S. UT Southwestern Medical Center performs thousands of outpatient cataract surgeries each year.
Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye gets cloudy. Our cataract surgeons use procedures that utilize small incisions to speed healing and complications. They perform the latest surgical techniques to replace the old, clouded lens with an artificial lens which, in many cases, provides patients with a full range of vision. They also perform Limbal relaxing incisions to reduce pre-existing astigmatism after cataract removal.
UT Southwestern’s cataract surgeons are certified to implant ReSTOR lenses, the newest, most advanced implantable lenses available. Clinical studies have shown that the ReSTOR IOL provides good near, intermediate and distance vision without the need for glasses or contacts.
UT Southwestern’s cataract surgeons also employ cataract removal systems such as Aqualase and use up-to-date surgical equipment such as Ozil and the Xenon microscope to improve surgical illumination. They also have expertise in high-risk cases such as sewn-in intraocular lenses and capsular tension rings.
UT Southwestern’s physicians and researchers have access to the latest scientific findings and treatments for cataracts, including:
- Age-related cataracts, which make up 90 percent of cases;
- Congenital cataracts, or when babies are born with cataracts;
- Complicated cataracts, which develop in people with other health problems such as diabetes or who take corticosteroids;
- Secondary cataracts, which develop in up to 50 percent of cases following previous cataract surgery; and
- Traumatic cataracts, such as from an eye injury.
Please visit the Health Library to learn more about cataracts.
