FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE
Dr. Henshaw aims to give you the best service possible to bring out the full potential of your vision. With age there often comes a time when the sight gets foggy. The cause is a creeping fog condition that gradually covers the inside of the eye and is called a cataract. The part inside your eye that gets foggy is the lens. The cataract can be corrected by surgically replacing the cloudy lens inside your eye with a new plastic lens. An eye surgeon must do this.
The new lens must be carefully selected, preferably with the guidance of your optometrist ,Dr. Henshaw. It must match the other eye which may not be ready for a replacement with a new plastic lens. Your optometrist needs to advise your surgeon of the proper power of the new plastic lens. It must match your other eye to result in the finest vision possible.(Today, most surgeons will remove the cataract from the other eye, even if it is not as advanced.)
The above was written by our patient, A. S. He doesn't wish to have his name printed, as in his nineties, he says; he's too old to answer inquiries. He mistakenly had a surgeon remove a cataract without consulting Dr. Henshaw first. The cataract was in one eye only, and the surgeon did not match the other eye. A. S. saw double as a result. At that point he was just as bad off as he was with the cataract. After three months of trying a few solutions that did not work, the surgeon had to redo the surgery and replace the lens with one recommended by Dr. Henshaw.
Well things have changed a little since A.S.'s experience, so let's look at cataracts today.
Dr. Henshaw aims to give you the best service possible to bring out the full potential of your vision. With age there often comes a time when the sight gets foggy. The cause is a creeping fog condition that gradually covers the inside of the eye and is called a cataract. The part inside your eye that gets foggy is the lens. The cataract can be corrected by surgically replacing the cloudy lens inside your eye with a new plastic lens. An eye surgeon must do this.
The new lens must be carefully selected, preferably with the guidance of your optometrist ,Dr. Henshaw. It must match the other eye which may not be ready for a replacement with a new plastic lens. Your optometrist needs to advise your surgeon of the proper power of the new plastic lens. It must match your other eye to result in the finest vision possible.(Today, most surgeons will remove the cataract from the other eye, even if it is not as advanced.)
The above was written by our patient, A. S. He doesn't wish to have his name printed, as in his nineties, he says; he's too old to answer inquiries. He mistakenly had a surgeon remove a cataract without consulting Dr. Henshaw first. The cataract was in one eye only, and the surgeon did not match the other eye. A. S. saw double as a result. At that point he was just as bad off as he was with the cataract. After three months of trying a few solutions that did not work, the surgeon had to redo the surgery and replace the lens with one recommended by Dr. Henshaw.
Well things have changed a little since A.S.'s experience, so let's look at cataracts today.
A CATARACT IS INSIDE, NOT OUTSIDE THE EYE
With age your sight may get foggy, dim or blurry. It’s on the inside of the eye and is called a cataract. The part that develops the cataract is called the lens which is part of your optical system and why it interferes with your vision.
With age your sight may get foggy, dim or blurry. It’s on the inside of the eye and is called a cataract. The part that develops the cataract is called the lens which is part of your optical system and why it interferes with your vision.
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Although many think the cataract is out side on the surface of the cornea (the clear outer coating), it is not. It is inside the eye. One picture shows an injury to the cornea ( outside surface of the eye). The other is a cataract inside the eye. |
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The lens is similar to your fingernail only much more flexible and transparent since you must look through it. A cataract is like a white spot in your fingernail. That opaque spot blocks your vision. In your fingernail, it just eventually grows out, but there is nowhere for it to go in your eye so it expands and eventually can block your vision entirely. Many rather than an opaque spot have a cloudiness like steam on a glass shower door. It is most commonly treated surgically by removing the lens and replacing it with a plastic lens called an intraocular lens implant.
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OPTOMETRISTS HAVE A ROLE IN CATARACTS
Most patients realize the high-quality vision care that optometrists provide, but when it comes to cataracts, many don't realize how important an optometrist is. A. S. now does. But he learned the hard way. You don't need to learn the hard way. Although this website shows pictures of advanced cataracts visible to the naked eye, you want your optometrist to see the cataract sooner. even when you have no symptoms. Oft, changes in your prescription are caused by the cataract. |
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MEASUREMENTS ARE NEEDED
Dr. Henshaw will take special measurements before your surgery to advise the surgeon of the proper lens to insert. It is important to have as much information as possible about your past vision care. This is another good reason to use Dr. Henshaw as your family optometrist. You are only removing the cataract so you can see clearly. Part of that clarity is based on years of using your eyes in a particular habit. Varying the end result of cataract surgery too greatly from that habit may create problems close to those of the cataract. |
WHEN SHOULD YOUR CATARACT BE TREATED?
If you are developing a cataract, Dr. Henshaw can tell you when the cataract is ready for surgery. He can refer to the surgeon best suited for your case. Dr. Henshaw has a working relationship with surgeons in the area who share his exacting standards.
If you are developing a cataract, Dr. Henshaw can tell you when the cataract is ready for surgery. He can refer to the surgeon best suited for your case. Dr. Henshaw has a working relationship with surgeons in the area who share his exacting standards.
WHEN DO YOU NEED GLASSES
Once the cataract is removed and intraocular lens inserted, when do you need glasses?
The answer is IMMEDIATELY! Once the intraocular lens is inserted you see as soon as you awaken. Dr. Henshaw can reasonably predict the prescription you may need, and within three months the glasses can be changed at no cost. Those same careful measurements that Dr. Henshaw takes to determine your intraocular lens power help measure your progress after the surgery. Both your surgeon and Dr. Henshaw need to work together to determine the best time to order your new glasses as the eye heals. However, once the intraocular lens is implanted you need glasses at least for reading.
Once the cataract is removed and intraocular lens inserted, when do you need glasses?
The answer is IMMEDIATELY! Once the intraocular lens is inserted you see as soon as you awaken. Dr. Henshaw can reasonably predict the prescription you may need, and within three months the glasses can be changed at no cost. Those same careful measurements that Dr. Henshaw takes to determine your intraocular lens power help measure your progress after the surgery. Both your surgeon and Dr. Henshaw need to work together to determine the best time to order your new glasses as the eye heals. However, once the intraocular lens is implanted you need glasses at least for reading.
IS THERE A CURE FOR CATARACT?
Strong evidence shows vitamins help. The normal lens of the eye is very high in vitamin C, while a lens with a cataract is low in vitamin C. Almost all agree that vitamins A, C, and E work. To help you remember the vitamins, they spell, "ACE." These vitamins are antioxidants. Any antioxidant will help like lutein or bilberry. Antioxidants also help other conditions and are good for you. Macula degeneration is another eye condition the antioxidants help.
NATURAL EYE DROPS BY NATURAL OPHTHALMICS
Natural Opthalmics provides cataract drops that whose main ingredient has been around one hundred years. For those of you who wish to avoid cataract surgery, this is a possibility. The drops are also reasonably priced. Talk to us about a three-month supply.
Strong evidence shows vitamins help. The normal lens of the eye is very high in vitamin C, while a lens with a cataract is low in vitamin C. Almost all agree that vitamins A, C, and E work. To help you remember the vitamins, they spell, "ACE." These vitamins are antioxidants. Any antioxidant will help like lutein or bilberry. Antioxidants also help other conditions and are good for you. Macula degeneration is another eye condition the antioxidants help.
NATURAL EYE DROPS BY NATURAL OPHTHALMICS
Natural Opthalmics provides cataract drops that whose main ingredient has been around one hundred years. For those of you who wish to avoid cataract surgery, this is a possibility. The drops are also reasonably priced. Talk to us about a three-month supply.
LIGHT THERAPY
Light therapy is showing some promise. It shines light of a prescriptive color directly in the eye. We have used this therapy for years with side vision damage caused by head trauma and whiplash from automobile accidents. Light therapy has expanded to many maladies including cataracts.
Light therapy is showing some promise. It shines light of a prescriptive color directly in the eye. We have used this therapy for years with side vision damage caused by head trauma and whiplash from automobile accidents. Light therapy has expanded to many maladies including cataracts.
DOES ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT CAUSE CATARACTS?
Although almost all eye doctors say ultraviolet light causes cataracts, the studies are not conclusive. It is not unusual in medicine to find long practiced treatments aren't effective and even dangerous. Consider the issue of removing tonsils and the birth enhancing drug Thalidomide (my cousin whose mother took the drug suffers from the effects to this day). Many prescribe ultraviolet blocking properties in your glasses. Dr. Henshaw personally interviewed the chief researcher for the company that makes ultraviolet activated lenses. The researcher stated, "no conclusive evidence exists that proves ultraviolet light causes cataracts." Go to Light Therapy for more information. When considering ultraviolet blocking lenses, two things should be considered. First, normal eyeglass lenses block a lot of ultraviolet light. Secondly, your pituitary gland needs ultraviolet light for proper functioning. Yes, it gets the ultraviolet light by a special track from your eyes, not the optic nerves. The extra expense for ultraviolet blocking lenses does not seem to be justified.
WHAT CAN CAUSE CATARACTS?
Many are aware that eating large fish from the ocean who have mercury poisoning is one cause. Sardines are safe. Looking at the hot fire of a kiln is another cause. Yet, many do not know that skin contact with acetone causes cataracts. An Army study using rabbits as controls found the rabbits whose paws were coated with acetone developed cataracts. People in professions that use acetone have a higher amount of cataracts than others. Recently a woman who happened to be a welder was found to have cataracts at an age younger than expected. Sure enough she used acetone to clean the steel she was welding.
Although almost all eye doctors say ultraviolet light causes cataracts, the studies are not conclusive. It is not unusual in medicine to find long practiced treatments aren't effective and even dangerous. Consider the issue of removing tonsils and the birth enhancing drug Thalidomide (my cousin whose mother took the drug suffers from the effects to this day). Many prescribe ultraviolet blocking properties in your glasses. Dr. Henshaw personally interviewed the chief researcher for the company that makes ultraviolet activated lenses. The researcher stated, "no conclusive evidence exists that proves ultraviolet light causes cataracts." Go to Light Therapy for more information. When considering ultraviolet blocking lenses, two things should be considered. First, normal eyeglass lenses block a lot of ultraviolet light. Secondly, your pituitary gland needs ultraviolet light for proper functioning. Yes, it gets the ultraviolet light by a special track from your eyes, not the optic nerves. The extra expense for ultraviolet blocking lenses does not seem to be justified.
WHAT CAN CAUSE CATARACTS?
Many are aware that eating large fish from the ocean who have mercury poisoning is one cause. Sardines are safe. Looking at the hot fire of a kiln is another cause. Yet, many do not know that skin contact with acetone causes cataracts. An Army study using rabbits as controls found the rabbits whose paws were coated with acetone developed cataracts. People in professions that use acetone have a higher amount of cataracts than others. Recently a woman who happened to be a welder was found to have cataracts at an age younger than expected. Sure enough she used acetone to clean the steel she was welding.
When it's time to have my cataracts removed, what can I expect?
What will happen to my eye during the surgery?
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After your pupil is fully dilated and you have been anesthetized so you will not feel or observe what is happening. A precise incision will be made on the edge of your cornea. |
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That will allow an instrument that removes the cataract to enter the liquid chamber inside your eye..Don’t worry the incision heals almost instantly and requires no stitches. |
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The same incision allows the lens implant to be inserted in your eye. But first the lens has an invisible capsule that surrounds the lens. Only the front 90% of the capsule is removed with the lens that has the cataract. The back remains in the eye to create a crease to hold the new lens. |
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During surgery post operative drugs will be inserted under the top part of your eye so you do not need to apply drugs like patients did in the past.
But if I have cataracts in both eyes?
Unfortunately few surgeons will remove both on the same day. This has been a policy for years and old ideas die hard. This one is very much alive. Dr. Henshaw will work with you if it is an issue, and he may be able to provide interim glasses until the second cataract is removed.
Unfortunately few surgeons will remove both on the same day. This has been a policy for years and old ideas die hard. This one is very much alive. Dr. Henshaw will work with you if it is an issue, and he may be able to provide interim glasses until the second cataract is removed.
Two types of surgery are available by most eye surgeon's clinics::
1. Standard cataract Surgery
Once the cataract has been removed, a standard Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) is necessary to restore basic focus to the eye. Standard IOLs are called mono-focal, because they can only focus at one distance. Therefore, after standard cataract surgery, patients typically still wear reading glasses and may need glasses for distance if astigmatism is present.
2. Custom Cataract Surgery: Lifestyle Lenses
Cataract surgery can include a refractive procedure. The cataract surgery is modified to eliminate dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. This Laser Assisted Custom Cataract Surgery involves sophisticated pre-operative measurements and an advanced version of standard cataract surgery utilizing the LenSx Femtosecond Laser and a new generation of upgraded Lifestyle Lenses. The advanced implants allow correction of astigmatism and even the ability to regain vision for reading. Some options are not fully covered by medical insurance and requires additional expense. This add on procedure may work for the retired who do minimal reading, but not for those in the work force or who do a lot of reading and computer time. Eye glasses are far superior and offer many powers of lenses while this gives only one.
The above surgeries will be discussed at the eye surgeon's office. Most patients elect standard surgery.
You will be examined at the eye surgeon's office the day after surgery to be sure all is well.
1. Standard cataract Surgery
Once the cataract has been removed, a standard Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL) is necessary to restore basic focus to the eye. Standard IOLs are called mono-focal, because they can only focus at one distance. Therefore, after standard cataract surgery, patients typically still wear reading glasses and may need glasses for distance if astigmatism is present.
2. Custom Cataract Surgery: Lifestyle Lenses
Cataract surgery can include a refractive procedure. The cataract surgery is modified to eliminate dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. This Laser Assisted Custom Cataract Surgery involves sophisticated pre-operative measurements and an advanced version of standard cataract surgery utilizing the LenSx Femtosecond Laser and a new generation of upgraded Lifestyle Lenses. The advanced implants allow correction of astigmatism and even the ability to regain vision for reading. Some options are not fully covered by medical insurance and requires additional expense. This add on procedure may work for the retired who do minimal reading, but not for those in the work force or who do a lot of reading and computer time. Eye glasses are far superior and offer many powers of lenses while this gives only one.
The above surgeries will be discussed at the eye surgeon's office. Most patients elect standard surgery.
You will be examined at the eye surgeon's office the day after surgery to be sure all is well.
In about two weeks Dr. Henshaw will examine you to verify your vision after surgery and get you ready for any need glasses/and or contact lenses..
Now the final decision!
We need to decide what your eyeglasses Rx after surgery will be. If you don’t need glasses for distance, this is not a problem. Yet, if you are nearsighted and remove your glasses to read, you have options. Dr Henshaw, found a dilemma when he had the surgeon make his distance vision clear. Before he could see reasonably clear at distance and near and had a bifocal to sharpen up both distance and near. He could look up close momentary and drive during the day without glasses. He did have glasses to sharpen both distance and near. Now Dr. Henshaw has to wear glasses to eat (he likes to see his food clearly), change the TV remote, and look up close even for a temporary period. In hindsight, he would have had the surgeon set his glasses for middle vision where he was before. You have three choices:
We need to decide what your eyeglasses Rx after surgery will be. If you don’t need glasses for distance, this is not a problem. Yet, if you are nearsighted and remove your glasses to read, you have options. Dr Henshaw, found a dilemma when he had the surgeon make his distance vision clear. Before he could see reasonably clear at distance and near and had a bifocal to sharpen up both distance and near. He could look up close momentary and drive during the day without glasses. He did have glasses to sharpen both distance and near. Now Dr. Henshaw has to wear glasses to eat (he likes to see his food clearly), change the TV remote, and look up close even for a temporary period. In hindsight, he would have had the surgeon set his glasses for middle vision where he was before. You have three choices:
1. Distance vision is clear and need glasses for close work.
2. Make near vision clear and need glasses for far.
3. Make middle vision clear(the distance of a computer and items on store shelves) so you can see reasonable at near and far and have glasses available to sharpen both distance and near.