Cataract Surgery – Treating Cataracts in the St. Louis and Chesterfield area

A cataract occurs when the eye’s natural lens becomes clouded over time and begins to impair vision. For many people, cataracts are a natural part of aging, because most people have some lens clouding after age 60. As the eye's crystalline lens becomes opaque, an increasing amount of light is blocked from reaching the retina at the back of the eye. Images are seen less and less clearly, until vision has deteriorated significantly.

In the past, cataracts were treatable, but the surgery required a hospital stay, followed by a lengthy recovery. However, due to the availability of ultrasound technology, treating cataracts with cataract surgery at our St. Louis and Chesterfield practice is easier than ever. Dr. Bruce L. Cohen and Dr. Sharon L. Jick are now able to perform cataract surgery on an outpatient basis with far less discomfort and inconvenience than ever before.

• Small Incision Cataract Surgery
• Intraocular Lenses
  • AMO® ReZoom™
  • AcrySof® Toric IOL
  • Crystalens®
• Posterior Capsulotomy

Small Incision Cataract Surgery

We are proud to offer small incision cataract surgery to patients in the St. Louis area. Using a method known as phacoemulsification, this innovative technique is the least invasive means of treating cataracts. During phacoemulsification, the surgeon inserts a small probe into the eye through a tiny incision. The probe emits ultrasonic energy that serves to break up the faulty lens into tiny bits, which are then removed from the eye.

To replace the lens, the surgeon will implant a permanent intraocular lens; this lens is crafted to a patient’s specific prescription and may therefore reduce his or her reliance on glasses or contact lenses. In most cases, stitches are not required to close the incision, as the eye’s natural pressure will help to seal it closed.

Dr. Cohen and Dr. Jick will give you specific postoperative instructions based on your individual needs. However, this method of treating cataracts allows many of our St. Louis and Chesterfield patients to return to their normal activities almost immediately, and with a minimum of discomfort.

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Intraocular Lenses

Choosing the right artificial lens to replace the eye's natural version is an important part of treating cataracts. In St. Louis and Chesterfield, we are proud to offer our patients the latest, most advanced intraocular lenses, or IOLs, available. The three IOLs offered at Cohen Eye Associates are the AMO® ReZoom™ lens, the AcrySof® Toric lens, and the crystalens®.

AMO® ReZoom™

After much research, we have chosen to work with a new IOL that has recently been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The AMO® ReZoom™ lenses have so far been extremely effective in restoring focusing ability and clear vision in patients who have undergone cataract surgery.

The AMO® ReZoom™ IOL has the capacity to give recipients a full range of vision and in many cases restores their ability to quickly change focus among near, intermediate, and distant objects. The ReZoom™ IOL uses Balanced View Optics™ technology, which distributes light over five separate optic zones; this means that distance vision is clearest in bright light, when it is needed the most. The lens adjusts for close vision needs such as reading.

AcrySof® Toric

For cataract patients with astigmatism, we offer the AcrySof® Toric IOL. This is another top-of-the-line intraocular lens implant, and it is specifically engineered to help correct corneal astigmatism. With the AcrySof® Toric IOL, many of our patients can now see fine details at a distance without strain or distortion. The doctors at Cohen Eye Associates can help you decide which IOL is best for your unique needs - contact us for an appointment today.

Crystalens®

Approved by the FDA in 2003, crystalens® intraocular lens implants are remarkable for their ability to flex and conform in much the same way as the eye's natural lens. As a result, patients enjoy even clearer vision in bright and dim light, as well as at a variety of focusing distances.The crystalens® IOL is one of the premier options for patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. Learn whether crystalens® is right for you by scheduling a consultation with Cohen Eye Associates.

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Posterior Capsulotomy

The eye’s natural lens is held inside a clear capsule that is left mostly intact when treating cataracts. Sometimes, after cataract surgery at our St. Louis or Chesterfield office, this capsule develops cloudiness. When this happens, it is possible to quickly and painlessly create an opening in the capsule with a laser.

This procedure, called posterior capsulotomy, takes only a few minutes and restores normal vision within hours. Dr. Cohen and Dr. Jick will generally prescribe anti-inflammatory eye drops to be used for several days following treatment.

If you are suffering from cataracts or experiencing post-surgery capsule cloudiness, our practice can help restore your clear vision with revolutionary intraocular lenses. To learn more about the best in cataract surgery, contact Cohen Eye Associates, Limited, in the St. Louis Area.

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