How can I choose the best cataract specialist?
Optometry creates initial diagnoses on most cataracts, but treatment is usually performed by an ophthalmologist. These doctors have received a specialized title in their eyes and often have sub-specialty in performing ophthalmic surgery. The selection of a specialist in the cataract involves exploring the background and qualification of the surgeon and willingness to ask questions about his knowledge of procedures and technologies. Ophthalmic surgeons are usually obliged to have four years of medical school and several years of residence training with an emphasis on ophthalmology. After successful completion of the internship, cataract specialist can certify. Friends and family members are an invaluable source, as well as your primary physician. Some websites and organizations provide searchable databases of qualified ophthalmologists and ophthalmic surgeons. These lists often identify qualified doctors according to the region and provide further information with details of education, work history and surgical specialties.
You should not hesitate to ask your ophthalmologist whether he has experience in performing fakoemulsification and extracapsular surgery. These are the two most common forms of surgery. In the first case, the surgeon makes a small cut on the side of the cornea, inserts an ultrasonic probe, breaks the cornea lens and removes the pieces of suction. The latter procedure requires a greater cutting of the cornea, which allows the removal of the sick lens in one piece. In both cases, the original lens is replaced by an artificial or nitroocular lens.
Your cataract specialist should be active about innovation in lens technology. Ask him for the differences between monofocal, toric and multifocal intraocular lenses. Monofocal lenses are the most common and generally provide good vision, but often require you to wear reading glasses or detailed tasks. Torical lenses usually lead to an improvement in distance vision and can help repair astigmatism.
Surgeon should beT is particularly informed about multifocal lenses. This type of lens, which began to be used in mid -2000, provides improvements in various parts of the eye. Your goal is to find a specialist in a cataract who explains the potential advantages and disadvantages of multifocal lenses and other cataract technologies.