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Cataract Surgery at EyeSight Hawaii

 

The most common cause of cataracts is aging, but other causes include trauma, medications, diabetes and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Normally, cataracts will develop gradually and progressively. The normally transparent lens of the eye becomes discolorated, clouded and hardened. Symptoms are often described as cloudy, dim or blurry vision, similar to looking through a waterfall. Symptoms may also include sensitivity to light, faded colors, excessive glare, poor night vision and frequent changes in eyeglass or contact prescriptions.

 

Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States and is done mostly on an out-patient basis. In most cases, the cataract is replaced by an intraocular lens (IOL). An IOL is a clear, artificial lens that requires no care and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Because an IOL allows more light to pass through to the retina, previously dull vision is often described as being brighter and with more vivid colors after surgery. Also, the IOL typically focuses light better than the original cloudy lens, often reducing the patient's dependence on eyeglasses or contact lenses. At EyeSight Hawaii, we utilize Phacoemulsification (or phaco) the most modern and proven method of cataract treatment. This typically involves a no-needle anesthesia, no-stitch, and no-patch treatment that generally heals more rapidly with less inflammation and discomfort than older techniques.

 

Crystalens

 

There are several types of replacement lens available. The revolutionary Crystalens is the state-of-the-art replacement lens that is designed to move, or accommodate, and thus allow the eye to focus on objects near, far and all distances in-between seamlessly. Standard Monofocal IOL's are fixed lens that do not flex or accommodate so only allow the patient to focus at one distance. Unlike fixed focal lenses, which don’t move, Crystalens has the ability to focus as your eye’s natural lens did when you were younger.

 

Dr. Olkowski was one of the first surgeons nationally selected by Eyeonics Inc., the company offering the lens, to be trained by Eyeonics Inc., and given credentials to use Crystalens.

 

View a KGMB9 Television Interview with Dr. Olkowski

video courtesy of KGMB9

 

Read a Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Hawaii's first Crystalens patients.

 

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE)

 

Currently, Dr. Olkowski uses refractive lens exchange for patients who have imperfections in the natural lens of their eye, or in other words, early signs of cataracts. This procedure is sometimes referred to as a refractive lensectomy or a clear lens exchange. These lens implants replace the natural lens, which has imperfections because of the eye’s natural aging process. In some cases, this procedure can be combined with LASIK, rather than as an alternative to LASIK to completely reduce a patient’s need for glasses or contacts.

 

Why choose an RLE over LASIK?

 

1. Because a patient may have slight imperfections in the natural lens of the eye that will one day further develop into a cataract, it makes sense to remove that lens along with the early imperfections, to improve the overall quality of the entire eye system. This is most common in patients who are 55 years of age and older.

 

2. For hyperopic (farsighted) patients, a lens implant makes better sense for the long term. LASIK does an excellent job with helping patients that have mild hyperopia, but when the hyperopic prescription is outside of the range Dr. Olkowski usually treats with LASIK, an RLE is a better alternative.

 

3. With new IOL technology, which includes the Crystalens, a patient’s accommodation can be restored after RLE surgery. For patients that are over the age of 40 and require the assistance of reading glasses or bifocals, an accommodating lens implant can greatly reduce, or even eliminate the need for reading glasses as well as glasses for distance.

 

When speaking with Dr. Olkowski about cataract surgery, it is very important to tell him about any medications you are currently taking or have ever taken especially the following:

 

Cardura (Doxazosin)
Dibenzyline (Phenoxybenzamine)
Flomax (Tamsulosin)
Hytrin (Terazosin)
Minipress (Prazosin)
Regitine, Rogitine (Phentolamine)
Uroxatral (Alfuzosin)

 

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact our office and we would be happy to assist you.

 
 
 

Oahu: 808-735-1935

Toll Free: 877-735-1935

Fax: 808-735-6875

EyeSight Hawaii – Dr. Olkowski Locations

 

Main Office
3660 Waialae Avenue Suite 304
Honolulu, HI 96816

 

Maui Office
33 Lono Avenue Suite 260
Kahului, HI 96732

 

Contact EyeSight Hawaii

Read Dr. O's Blog

Big Island Office
c/o Dr. Inamine
47 Lanihuli St
Hilo, HI 96720

 

Big Island Office
c/o Dr. Young
75-167 Hualalai Road #102
Kailua-Kona, HI 96745

 
 
 

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