Focused on Restoring Your Vision

Cataracts Erie

At Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie, our doctors understand that no two pairs of eyes are the same, which is why our main focus is on providing safe, effective treatments that can be tailored to fit your unique needs. Throughout our history, we have helped thousands of patients who were suffering from age-related eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors to see the world clearly again. If left untreated, these conditions can worsen, putting your vision and your overall health in jeopardy; indeed, cataracts are the number-one cause of blindness in the United States. We encourage you to make your vision needs a priority and seek treatment for your cataracts at Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie, Pennsylvania.

About Cataracts

Is your vision clouded? Does it progressively become more blurred at night? Your vision may be compromised due to cataracts. A cataract is a clouding of the interior lens of your eye. The condition causes blurred vision, dulling your ability to see bright colors and decreasing your ability to see well at night. The only way to treat the condition is through surgery. Using advanced technology, Dr. Levin can to remove the compromised, clouded lens and replace it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) that will restore your ability to see clearly and crisply.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes fifteen minutes or less. To begin the procedure, Dr. Levin administers a special solution to dilate your pupil. Local anesthesia will be applied and, depending on your case, you may be given a sedative to ease your tension. Once the surface of your eye has been cleansed, Dr. Levin will make a small incision in the front of your eye and insert a probe to shatter the cataract into small pieces. He then uses suction to remove the fragments. The artificial IOL will be placed in your eye, and then the incision will be sealed.

Blurred Vision Following Treatment

In the months and even years after cataract surgery, the lens capsule produces lens fibers, which can result in a secondary membrane.  This accumulation of fibers can cause blurred vision, similar to that experienced with a cataract.  Fortunately, this blurring can easily be corrected through a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy.  The procedure quickly and painlessly cleans the fibers and eliminates the clouding, without the need for anesthesia.  Most patients are able to return to their normal activities immediately after treatment.  

ReSTOR® IOL

AcrySof® IQ ReSTOR® IOL is the first multifocal IOL of its kind, helping cataract patients to see clearly at a wide range of distances, including up close without the need for bifocals or reading glasses. In some cases, cataract surgery requires a larger incision to be made in the eye, which is eventually sealed by stitches. Because the ReSTOR® IOL is made of soft, flexible acrylic, a smaller incision is used to reach the cataract, diminishing the need for stitches and making implantation easier and more comfortable for the patient.

AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL

This astigmatism-correcting IOL is one of the recent innovations from Alcon. The IOL is designed to precisely correct astigmatism and radically enhance image quality in cataract patients. The revolutionary lens can minimize your need for glasses or contacts following surgery. The AcrySof® IQ Toric IOL possesses multiple unique, dynamic qualities, including the ability to reduce spherical and high-order aberrations, improve contrast sensitivity, and filter blue light.

Candidates for Cataract Surgery

You may be a candidate for cataract surgery in Erie, Pennsylvania if you experience difficulty reading, watching TV, driving at night, and seeing in the dark, or have vision that is hazed, clouded, or blurred. You may also have cataracts if you have a hard time seeing when bright lights are around you or shining directly at you. Vision problems can affect your level of independence, so seeking treatment for your condition is essential to maintaining a confident, free lifestyle.

If You Have Cataracts, Contact Our Tri-State Vision Center Today!

If you live in Erie, Pennsylvania or elsewhere in the Tri-State area, contact Contemporary Ophthalmology of Erie to learn more about your options and which treatments might be right for you. Our doctors have the necessary tools to help you regain your eyesight.