Questions fréquemment posées

FAQ sur la cataracte

Une cataracte est l’opacification du cristallin naturel de l’œil, généralement à cause de l’âge. La lentille est principalement composée d’eau et de protéines. La protéine est disposée de façon précise et elle garde le cristallin clair, permettant à la lumière de passer à travers. En vieillissant, le cristallin naturel de l’œil s’obscurcit, rendant la visibilité plus difficile. Le cristallin trouble (cataracte) est ensuite remplacé chirurgicalement par un nouveau cristallin intraoculaire pour offrir une vision claire.

Une cataracte doit être retirée seulement lorsque la perte de vision interfère avec vos activités quotidiennes, comme conduire, lire ou regarder la télévision. Vous et votre professionnel des soins oculaires pouvez prendre cette décision ensemble. Une fois que vous comprenez les avantages et les risques de la chirurgie, vous pouvez prendre une décision éclairée quant à savoir si la chirurgie de la cataracte vous convient. La chirurgie consiste à retirer le cristallin trouble et à le remplacer par un cristallin artificiel.

Parfois, une cataracte doit être retirée même si elle ne cause pas de problèmes de vision. Par exemple, une cataracte doit être retirée si elle empêche l’examen ou le traitement d’un autre problème oculaire, comme la dégénérescence maculaire liée à l’âge ou la rétinopathie diabétique.

The most common symptoms of a cataract are:
* Cloudy or blurry vision.
* Colors may look faded.
* Glare or halo around lights. Headlights, lamps, or sunlight may appear too bright.
* Poor night vision.
* Double vision or multiple images in one eye.
* Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses.

Le système laser de précision Catalys® combine un laser femtoseconde de pointe et une imagerie avancée à cohérence optique 3D (OCT) pour compléter plusieurs des étapes critiques de la chirurgie de la cataracte auparavant effectuées manuellement avec des instruments portatifs. L’utilisation d’un laser pour compléter ces étapes augmente la précision, la précision et la sécurité lors de la chirurgie de la cataracte.

The most important benefit of Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is that it is gentle on the eye. The laser softens the lens resulting in less ultrasound energy being necessary to complete the procedure. This prevents excessive trauma and potential damage to the cornea.

In traditional cataract surgery, incisions are made using handheld tools. With the Catalys®, incisions are made with exceptional precision and accuracy. The circular opening creates the exact intended size, shape, and location. The laser is then used to break up and soften the hard cataract. Softening the lens with the Catalys® laser enables the surgeon to remove the cataract with significantly less ultrasound energy than is used in traditional manual cataract surgery. This gentle, low energy approach reduces inflammation and helps speed visual recovery.

The risk of cataracts increases as you get older. Other risk factors for cataract include:
* Diabetes
* Hypertension
* Smoking or significant alcohol consumption.
* Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from sunlight and other sources
* Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications

You will see after the procedure but it could take anywhere from 2 days to 3 weeks for your vision to stabilize. It is not unusual to have blurry vision for a few days after your surgery, as your eye is healing.

Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery is designed not only to provide excellent distance vision without glasses but also to reduce and, in most cases eliminate the need for reading glasses when possible. Many cataract patients have better vision after surgery than they had before they developed a cataract.

Traditional cataract surgery is routinely and safely performed by Herzig Eye Institute surgeons. At Herzig Eye Institute, we offer cataract patients the option of Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery. OHIP covers a portion of this procedure. There are additional fees associated with advanced technologies, such as premium intraocular lenses and diagnostic tests which are not performed in traditional cataract surgery. Many cataract patients can have better vision after Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery than they had before they developed a cataract.

Dry Eye FAQs

Il existe de nombreuses causes du syndrome de l’œil sec. Les déclencheurs courants incluent le port de lentilles de contact, de longues heures de travail sur ordinateur ou de lecture, des changements hormonaux (grossesse, ménopause), certains médicaments systémiques, ainsi que certaines conditions médicales comme l’arthrite. Le type de sécheresse oculaire le plus courant est la sécheresse oculaire évaporative. Cela est dû à un manque d’huile à la surface de vos larmes causé par des glandes de Meibomius (glandes sébacées) bloquées sur les paupières.

Not all fish oil supplements are created equal. How the supplement is manufactured depends on how well it is absorbed into the body. A good quality Omega-3 supplement contains a high content of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and it’s in triglyceride form. With your doctor’s assistance the best formulation and quantity can be prescribed.

La blépharite est une condition où il y a une prolifération de bactéries normales vivant le long du bord de la paupière et des cils. Il peut piéger les cellules mortes de la peau et les débris près de la surface de l’œil. Les symptômes courants de la blépharite incluent des démangeaisons, des démangeaisons, des croûtes des cils, ainsi que des irritations oculaires. Si ces débris obstruent les glandes de Meibomium (glandes sébâgineuses), ils peuvent contribuer à la sécheresse oculaire. La prévalence de la blépharite augmente avec l’âge.

LipiFlow® est un traitement en cabinet pour le syndrome de l’œil sec. LipiFlow® est le seul appareil approuvé par la FDA pour traiter la dysfonction des glandes de Meibomium. Il agit en éliminant les blocages des glandes et en restaurant leur fonction. LipiFlow® peut devoir être répété tous les un ou deux ans selon la gravité du syndrome de l’œil sec, et peut nécessiter des soins d’entretien à domicile pour prolonger les bénéfices du traitement. Cependant, pour certains patients cherchant à réduire le besoin de soins à domicile, le traitement LipiFlow® peut être répété plus fréquemment.

General FAQs

Nearsightedness is a common refractive error, also known as myopia. Over 80% of the world’s population is myopic.

Myopia occurs when your eye is too long in relation to the curvature of your cornea. This causes light entering your eye to focus in front of the retina instead of on the retina. If you are nearsighted, you will have difficulty seeing things far away. People with severe myopia may only be able to see objects clearly when they are just a few inches away.

Nearsightedness can be treated with laser vision correction (LASIK, SMILE, or PRK), or at the intraocular level with Refractive Lens Exchange or the Intraocular Collamer Lens procedure.

To determine the best vision correction treatment for your nearsightedness, please complete our simple form to schedule your free consultation.

Farsightedness is a common refractive error, also known as hyperopia.

Farsighted people see things best when they are far away, but have trouble seeing up close. Hyperopia occurs when light entering the eye comes into focus behind the retina instead of on the retina. This can be caused by too flat a cornea or eye, or a combination of both. People with severe hyperopia can have trouble seeing clearly, even at a distance.

Farsightedness can be easily treated with laser vision correction (LASIK or PRK), or with an intraocular procedure like Refractive Lens Exchange or the Intraocular Collamer Lens procedure.

To determine the best vision correction treatment for your farsightedness, please complete our simple form to schedule your free consultation.

Astigmatism occurs when your cornea is shaped more like a football than a basketball.

Sometimes astigmatism can be caused by an irregular shaped lens inside the eye. This irregular shape causes distortion or blurry images due to the unequal bending of light rays entering the eye. Astigmatism is a very common condition and most people (especially those with nearsightedness or farsightedness) have it to some degree.

People with mild astigmatism can experience slightly blurred or distorted vision at all distances, but people with extreme astigmatism can be affected so much it prevents them from performing their daily activities.

Astigmatism can be corrected with SMILE, LASIK, PRK, RLE, or ICL.

The laser has a tracking system that automatically and instantaneously tracks the minute movements of the eye during a laser procedure. If a person moves a significant amount the laser shuts down immediately.

In a very small percentage of patients (about 1-2%) some regression can occur during or after the healing process. Though infrequent, our surgeons may recommend an enhancement to improve your primary vision correction treatment. Most patients will have excellent vision with just one treatment. A small percentage will have to come back to have the enhancement procedure, covered by our Lifetime Commitment policy.

Laser vision correction is not painful at all. Anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye and prevent pain. During the procedure most people feel very little other than pressure for a few seconds. SMILE and LASIK allow for a very predictable healing response. Vision stabilizes rapidly, and patients can expect to have little or no discomfort following the procedure. After PRK, some patients may experience mild to moderate irritation until the corneal surface heals (4-5 days). Eye drops and pills are provided to minimize any discomfort.

Laser Vision Correction procedures are extremely safe and have high efficacy. This technology is one of the most exciting advances in the history of eye care. There are three ways of utilizing it: SMILE, LASIK, and PRK. All three procedures are very safe when they are done on the right patient. We do extensive testing on the patient’s eyes to determine which procedure will provide the best result possible.

As people reach age 40, they tend to start losing their reading vision. Someone who is wearing contact lenses or glasses will need to get reading glasses or bifocals. With Laser Vision Correction – LASIK or PRK – patients are offered ‘Monovision’. This means one eye is fully corrected for distance, while the non-dominant eye is left a little under corrected to see things up close. The brain integrates the visual information from both eyes and adjusts either immediately or within a few weeks to having each eye focus at a different distance. Most people tolerate this very well and can function most of the time without glasses.

Laser Vision Correction has proven to be a very safe procedure with a predictable healing response. Both eyes are treated on the same day. One eye is treated at a time.

Typically for Refractive Lens Exchange and Precision Refractive Cataract Surgery one eye is done one day and the second eye is usually treated 1-7 days later. When you schedule your procedure, you will be educated about what to expect on the day of.