Dr. Ryan Boland of Boland Eye Center is pleased to offer patients a wide range of surgical options to improve their vision and reduce their dependence on spectacles or contact lenses. Dr. Boland works closely with each patient to determine the optimal surgical procedure and to ensure the best outcome possible. If you desire to see well without glasses or contacts after surgery, Dr. Boland may recommend a tailored treatment that could include precise CATALYS Laser incisions in the cornea and a specific lens implant type.
Cataracts can cause blurriness, clouding, and dimming of vision, but are correctable with outpatient surgery. Dr. Boland performs advanced laser assisted micro-incision cataract surgery, which allows patients to avoid stitches or patching of the eye. Dr. Boland is able to correct for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia using intraocular lenses specifically selected for each patient during their pre-operative consultation. Astigmatism can be reduced using a Toric Intraocular Lens, or Toric IOL. Some patients may benefit from monofocal IOL's used to create a monovision effect, which can also reduce dependence on reading glasses.
Many of the steps of cataract surgery that are traditionally performed using handheld instruments can now be completed using the precision of a laser. The CATALYS Precision Laser System- developed in the heart of Silicon Valley- is designed specifically for laser cataract surgery. Thousands of patients have been treated with the CATALYS Laser.
Key Benefits for Patients:
Customization with 3D Imaging
Like a fingerprint, every eye has a unique size and shape. Prior to treatment, the CATALYS Laser images your eye and makes precise 3D maps of relevant structures. This enables Dr. Boland to create a tailored treatment plan that is uniquely customized to your eye.
Laser Precision
Dr. Boland can use the CATALYS Laser to create laser precise incisions, including a circular opening in the lens capsule to access and remove the cataract. This precise incision helps Dr. Boland place the new artificial lens where intended.
Gentle Approach
Dr. Boland can use the laser to soften the hard cataract and segment it into manageable pieces before entering the eye with instruments. Softening the lens with the CATALYS Laser enables Dr. Boland to remove the cataract gently.
Quick Treatment
Cataract surgery usually takes less than 30 minutes. The CATALYS Laser portion of treatment usually takes just a few minutes.
The surgical procedure for cataract removal has evolved rapidly over the last twenty years. Dr. Boland offers the latest Micro-Incision Phacoemulsification procedure to all patients. Patients experience less post-operative irritation, almost no physical limitations, and rapid visual recovery after surgery. Toric Intraocular Lenses are available for patients with Corneal Astigmatism who desire to reduce their dependence on glasses for distance vision after surgery.
What is Presbyopia?
Presbyopia is a common age-related condition. In an eye with presbyopia, the natural lens has increasing difficulty focusing on intermediate and near objects. Light fails to reach a single point on the retina when viewing objects up close and instead focuses to a point behind the retina. Your vision with presbyopia is cloudier or fuzzier, making it difficult to read things up close, such as newspapers, books, and computer screens.
Signs of Presbyopia:
- Loss of the ability to read up close
- Difficulty viewing a computer screen, a phone or a tablet
- Need reading glasses or bifocals
- Holding objects further away to read
One of our Premium Intraocular Lenses is the Tecnis Symfony Extended Range of Vision IOL. The Symfony IOL delivers outstanding visual acuity over a continuous range of distances while maintaining high image contrast. Imagine having the freedom to play golf, tennis, work on the computer and see road signs all without dependancy on glasses. The Symfony IOL offers up to 4 diopters of astigmatism correction allowing more individuals to experience freedom from spectacles. The Tecnis Symfony Extended Range IOL... it's like music to your eyes.
The newest FDA-approved premium lens is the Synergy IOL. While it was recently approved in the United States, it has been available for patients in Europe for several years with incredible results and high patient satisfaction. With this premium lens, patients can see with a continuous range of sight.
The Synergy IOL provides patients with the broadest range of vision of all available premium lenses, including the trifocal IOL, at all distances: up close, far away, and intermediate distances. Thanks to increased visual acuity, the Synergy lens offers patients the best near vision compared to other premium IOLs as well. The Synergy IOL, like the Symfony IOL, can correct up to 4 diopters of astigmatism.
To reduce a patient's dependence on reading glasses for activities within arm's length (reading, computer use), Dr. Boland employs two treatment options. Monovision is a strategy that offsets the refractive target in each eye so that the eyes complement each other. One eye is set to see well far away (television, driving), and the other is set for near (reading a book or computer screen). This approach is very effective for patients who had success in the past with monovision using contact lenses. For those who have never worn contacts but are still interested in this treatment option, a contact lens trial can be conducted by Dr. Holmes to simulate postoperative vision in each eye to ensure the patient's comfort prior to making permanent changes through surgery.
What is astigmatism?
In a healthy human eye, the cornea is round in shape like a basketball. Astigmatism occurs when the cornea is shaped more like a football. When light passes through a cornea with astigmatism, the image does not focus sharply on the retina, causing blurred or distorted vision.
How can an IOL correct both cataracts and astigmatism?
While standard IOL's can improve vision by replacing the eye's clouded natural lens, glasses or contacts will still be needed to correct the astigmatism. This is why Dr. Boland may recommend a toric IOL that not only replaces the eye's natural lens, but also helps to correct astigmatism at the same time.
Why the Tecnis Toric IOL?
Tecnis IOL's are a proven solution trusted by cataract surgeons around the world. The advanced technology of the Tecnis Toric IOL combines multiple design advantages, and may help you regain the clear, crisp vision of your youth. In fact, 97% of patients say they would choose to have the Tecnis Toric IOL again.
For more information on the Tecnis Toric IOL, click here.
Dr. Boland is proud to offer our surgical patients the accuracy and precision of the Cassini corneal shape analyzer. This exciting new technology provides measurements that allow Dr. Boland to achieve outstanding visual outcomes in patients choosing a toric IOL. The i-Optics Cassini utilizes cutting-edge engineering to provide specific corneal measurements with a higher degree of accuracy than traditional methods. The result is improved vision after cataract surgery for patients with astigmatism.
"I've worn contacts for 23 years- one for closeup and one for distance. When Dr. Boland told me that I had significant cataracts, he told me about the laser surgery and toric lenses. I would not need contacts or eyeglasses anymore. I decided to go with this using the Catalys Precision Laser System. I'm 80 years old and now have 20/20 vision. I couldn't be happier. My experience with the surgery was great. It took about 30 minutes and except for resting the first 24 hours, there were no restrictions. Eye drops are necessary for several weeks to make sure that there is no infection, but that's a small price to pay. I would recommend this to anyone who is a candidate. Dr. Boland is an excellent doctor." - Roxie B.
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