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Treatment Options for Cataracts

Cataract treatment in Tampa can successfully treat your cataracts and restore your vision. Cataracts are a condition where the lens inside your eye becomes distorted and cloudy over time. As they develop, cataracts can reduce your vision. Fortunately, they are treatable by a qualified eye doctor in Tampa. Here are your treatment options for cataracts.

Non-Surgical Treatments

If cataracts are not severe, then it may be possible to treat the symptoms of cataracts instead. Depending on how cataracts form, making changes like wearing sunglasses and changing your prescription lenses can address the symptoms without the need for surgery. To date, there is no form of treatment for cataracts that is effective other than surgery. Your eye doctor may suggest these symptom treatment alternatives until surgery becomes a necessity.

Phacoemulsification and Extracapsular Cataract Surgery

Phacoemulsification, more commonly called small incision cataract surgery, uses a tool to break down the cataract so that it can be suctioned out. The eye surgeon makes a small incision and inserts an ultrasonic tool close to the cataract. The vibrations from the tool cause the cataract to break apart and a small vacuum is used to remove it. A prosthetic lens is put in place so that your eye can focus, restoring your vision.

Extracapsular Cataract Surgery is performed the same way, but with a much larger incision. A round section at the center of the eye is removed to create a larger incision. That way, larger tools can be used to remove the cataract. This procedure is not performed often as there is a chance of complications and takes longer to heal.

Intracapsular Cataract Surgery

In general, surgeons try to keep incisions as small as possible. In some cases, it may be necessary to make an incision larger. Intracapsular Cataract Surgery requires a large incision and is only used for cases where there is no other option.

This surgery involves removing the entire lens and capsule. The incision is very large compared to other surgeries and requires extensive healing time.

Choosing a Procedure

Work with your eye doctor to choose the right surgery to correct your cataracts. If done well, you can restore much of your vision. When you have the surgery, the doctor will only do one eye at a time. That way, you always have one eye that is able to function normally while the other one heals.

Finding the Right Eye Doctor

The results of your surgery largely depend on the skills of the eye surgeon that you choose. Your doctor provides more than just eye surgery. You need ongoing care before and after your cataract surgery to improve your vision. Plus, working with a skilled eye doctor in Tampa means you may be diagnosed with cataracts early, giving your eye doctor more time to address the problem.

At the Florida Eye Center, we have skilled eye doctors and eye surgeons on staff. Let us provide your regular and specialized eye care, as well as deal with cataracts as they develop.

To schedule a consultation with an eye doctor at the Florida Eye Center, please call us at (813) 602-7336, or fill out the request form here to request an appointment.

Disclaimer: The contents of this website are for general educational purposes only. All content and media on the Florida Eye Center website does not constitute professional medical advice nor is the information intended to replace the services provided by the medical professionals at Florida Eye Center or other qualified medical professionals. If you believe you are having a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.

The content, views, and opinions communicated on this website do not represent the views of Florida Eye Center. Reliance on any information provided by this website is solely at your own risk. Although this website contains links to other medical websites, this is strictly for informational purposes. Florida Eye Center is not responsible nor do they approve of the content featured on any third party linked websites referenced on this website.

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