Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery, the natural lens of your eye is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens implant. The surgical process involves a small incision phacoemulsification technique and why many eye doctors refer to this as micro-surgery. This means that the cataract surgery is accomplished using the smallest possible incision, and removal of the lens material is accomplished using an ultrasonic needle.

Once the eye has been properly dilated, the eye is then prepared with a cleaning solution. A topical anesthetic is then administered to the surface of the eye. Next, under a microscope, an incision of 3 millimeters in length is then created at the junction of the cornea (the clear structure on the front of the eye) and the sclera (the white part of the eye). Another dose of anesthetic is then administered inside the eye through this incision.

The front part of the lens envelope, known as the lens capsule, is carefully opened so that the lens material can be removed. This is accomplished using a needle-like ultrasonic device, which pulverizes the hardened and yellowed lens proteins known as the cataract. The pulverized material is simultaneously vacuumed from the eye.

Cataract Surgery Diagram

Once all of the cataract material has been removed a foldable intraocular lens is then inserted through the original incision and positioned into the lens capsule. The lens will remain inside your eye in this location without moving. Intraocular lenses cannot be felt or sensed in any way by the patient.

Cataract surgery is virtually painless and recovery is quick. Your eye may be patched when you leave the facility, but the patch will be removed the next day. You will notice an improvement in your vision; however, you may still need glasses for some tasks. In 60 percent of cataract surgery patients, the capsule that holds the new intraocular lens becomes cloudy. This can happen anywhere from months to years after the procedure. If this occurs, a laser is used to make a small opening in the capsule. This procedure takes just a few minutes in the office and will make your vision clear again.

Where Does Cataract Surgery Take Place?

CATARACT SURGERY at Slade & Baker Vision takes place at our Surgery Center, Summit Ambulatory Surgery Center in Houston, Texas. It is conveniently located only 1 short mile away from our office at 4126 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027.

While the majority of other surgery centers provide available space to a variety of specialties, Summit Surgery Center is private, highly specialized, and dedicated solely to eye surgery. The Slade & Baker Vision management team equipped Summit with the latest, state of the art equipment. Our surgeons, Dr. Stephen Slade is the only surgeon who uses the space, and everything is controlled for only our patients and our dedicated, and trained staff which is involved in the same surgery all of the time.

Dr. Slade performs Cataract Surgery, Implantable Contact lens (ICL) surgery, Pterygium Removal, Lamellar Keratectomy, and any other corneal procedure outside of refractive surgery at Summit. Refractive procedures like LASIK are performed at our laser center located within our office.  If you would like to read more about Summit Surgery Center, please visit our informative blog posts which shared patient experiences at Summit as well as some background on Summit’s executive staff.

Dr. Slade shares: “I have operated at 3 Universities, numerous private multi-specialty centers, VA hospitals and our own office at Slade & Baker. Summit Ambulatory Surgery Center, a fully certified facility but dedicated only our practice is the best operating experience I have ever had. I know it is the finest possible place for our patients to have their surgery.”

Slade & Baker offers three Cataract Surgery options:

Advanced Custom Vision

With our “Advanced Custom Vision” option, your surgeon uses the latest ophthalmic technology to achieve your personal best vision and an Advanced Technology Lens implant to help you reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses at all distances.

Advanced Custom Vision after Cataracts Example

Custom Vision

With our “Custom Vision” option, your surgeon will tailor your visual outcome to meet your personal desire for your best vision. Custom Vision is most commonly used for those patients who primarily want good distance vision with less dependence on glasses and don’t mind wearing eyeglasses for near and intermediate vision.

Custom Vision after Cataract Surgery Example

Basic Vision

With our “Basic Vision” option, your surgeon will help you achieve an improved quality of vision by removing the cataract and using a standard, monofocal lens. Basic Vision is for those patients who plan to wear contacts or glasses all of the time to correct any residual nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism after cataract surgery.

Basic Vision after Cataract Surgery Example

Cataract Surgery Insurance Considerations

It is important to note that Medicare and most insurance carriers consider cataracts a medically covered procedure. They do not, however, consider reducing your dependence on glasses to improve your vision as a “medical necessity,” and therefore will not cover the cost associated with any of the intraocular lenses or procedures that are used to reduce your dependence on glasses.

If you have a medically qualifying cataract, your insurance company will be billed and you will be financially responsible for the elective portion of the procedure along with any copayments, co-insurance or deductibles. At Slade & Baker Vision we provide access to a number of financing options to suit your budget and to make seeing clearly affordable.

What Our Patients Say

Lola

“I can say the Laser Cataract Surgery at Slade & Baker was the easiest thing I have ever done. It was so comfortable. It was like going in, then you blinked, and you came right back out. It was so simple, it was unbelievable. I trusted Dr. Slade and his reputation so much that I never worried about being the first Laser Cataract Surgery patient.”

* Our first laser cataract patient and the first Laser Cataract Surgery patient in the United States.

Linda

“The Multifocal IOL was an out-of-pocket expense but I sew a lot and I just wanted to have the best vision I could possibly get. Knowing I had a better chance of being able to see close up without glasses was the main reason I chose Slade & Baker Vision. I can now drive, read and do my computer work without my granny glasses.”

Ernst

”As a highly experienced ophthalmic surgeon, I chose Laser Cataract Surgery based on the precision of the technology, as well as the reputation of Dr. Slade. I believe the laser will add safety and better visual results to cataract surgery.” First Ophthalmologist in the U.S. to have laser cataract surgery on his own eyes.

* First Ophthalmologist in the U.S. to have laser cataract surgery on his own eyes.

Robert

“Before surgery, I had astigmatism and my night vision was the first thing to go. I was on the computer for about 8 hours a day and my nose was touching the glass to see it! The laser cataract procedure at Slade & Baker was so patient friendly. I’m amazed that I am not wearing glasses anymore. The colors are so brilliant now on my computer screen. The entire team was so professional, everything has been great.”

"Awesome" Experience: Dr. Walton laser cataract patient testimonial

If you have questions, please do not ever hesitate to call our office at 713-626-5544 and speak to our experts and schedule a consultation today!

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713-626-7744
3900 Essex Lane – Suite 101
Houston, TX 77027

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3900 Essex Lane - Suite 101 - Houston, TX 77027  -  713-626-5544