
Dr. Reena Patel at the Wichita Vision Institute specializes in cataract surgery to eliminate any cloudiness in the eye and restore the patient’s vision. Know more about the symptoms of cataracts and see options for surgery.
What is a Cataract?
The natural lens is normally clear and surrounded by a special capsular bag that helps it change shape to focus an image and hold the lens in place. When the lens becomes cloudy, a cataract has formed. Cataracts develop in many adults as a natural part of the aging process. Studies have found that cataract changes can start to occur in a person’s forties.
What Causes Cataracts?
Cataracts can also be associated with injuries, systemic diseases such as diabetes, medications such as steroids, inflammation, smoking, radiation and other causes. According to the National Institutes of Health, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. By age 80, over half of the people in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Over 3,000,000 cataract surgeries are performed every year in the United States alone.
Cataracts are a very common vision problem, but fortunately, cataract surgery can eliminate cataracts to restore your sight.
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts
Cataracts can cause visual symptoms such as:
- cloudy or blurred vision
- glare
- halos around lights
- difficulty reading or driving
- double vision
- colors seeming washed out or dull
- needing more light to read
- difficulty with night vision
- difficulty with depth perception
- frequent changes in your glasses or contact lens prescription
Cataracts, which cause deterioration of vision over time, should be surgically treated when vision becomes impaired therefore if ever you feel any symptoms of cataracts it’s best to consult a specialist. .
During cataract surgery, the natural lens affected by the cataract is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to restore clear vision. Dr. Reena Patel is a talented cataract surgeon in Wichita who improves her patients’ vision and overall quality of life by performing cataract surgery.
Dr. Reena Patel will determine whether cataract surgery is appropriate for you and which intraocular lens would best suit your needs during your in-depth pre-operative exam. Various measurements of your eye length and shape will be taken at that exam. After these measurements have been performed, Dr. Patel will discuss what options are available to you. Intraocular lens choices depend on several factors, including your visual needs, your current prescription, if you have astigmatism and how much astigmatism is present, the importance of having clear night vision, and whether you would prefer to wear glasses or contact lenses after surgery. After an in-depth discussion, you and Dr. Patel will determine the best course of treatment, which may include cataract surgery and your best intraocular lens option. Learn more about intraocular lenses on our intraocular lens web page.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery lasts about 20 minutes on average. Mild IV sedation is given to help you relax. Some patients sleep through the entire cataract surgery. Anesthetic eye drops are administered to numb the surface of the eye. An anesthetic solution is also placed in the eye to minimize any discomfort. During the surgery, Dr. Patel will make several small incisions in the cornea. She will then make a round opening in the bag that holds the cataract. She then directs pulses of high-frequency ultrasound energy at the clouded lens to break it into small pieces. These pieces are removed from the eye using gentle suction.
Dr. Reena Patel will place a folded-up intraocular lens (IOL) through the same incision and then position it in the eye. After the IOL has been properly positioned, Dr. Patel will close the incision and place a protective shield over the eye.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
Immediately after your cataract surgery, you will relax in a recovery suite for a short time, and then you will need to have a companion drive you to our office. The vision care team at Wichita Vision Institute will provide you with detailed post-operative instructions and Dr. Patel will also perform a post-operative check at that time.
You will be asked to use special eye drops to promote healthy healing for about a month after surgery. Also, you will need to wear an eye shield while sleeping and special sunglasses in bright light for at least the first week after surgery. For the first week of your recovery, you should avoid eye make-up, strenuous exercise, bending, heavy lifting, or getting water, dust, or dirt in your eye. It is critical that you avoid rubbing your eye during the healing process. Our team will schedule several follow-up visits for you as needed during the first weeks and months after surgery.
Your vision may be blurred for a few days or weeks after your cataract surgery. Most patients who undergo cataract surgery are able to resume their normal daily routine one week after their procedure. If you experience pain, loss of vision, or redness, please contact our office as soon as possible. Otherwise, enjoy your newly improved vision!
New research from Australia has confirmed that patients who undergo cataract surgery live longer! A study that compared people over the age of 49 who have cataract-related vision loss and have cataract surgery to correct this, and those similarly-aged who have the same type of vision loss, but did not have the surgery. The study found that the patients who had surgery had a 40 percent lower long-term mortality risk.
For more information about cataract surgery or IOLs, please contact our practice by phone at (316) 773-6400, or by email. We are happy to answer any of your questions or provide more details about what you can expect with cataract surgery.
I Can See Clearly Now
by Don Burrows
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel saved my wife’s vision and mine too. I now live 770 miles from her office and would still make the trip, even if it required a cross-country trip.
I highly recommend Dr. Patel
by Jim Guhl
Category: cataract surgeryDr. Patel is a physician whose sincere goal is to improve the quality of life for her patients. When I first became a patient under Dr. Patel’s care, I was diagnosed with cataracts in both of my eyes; dry eye syndrome; and astigmatism. Previous records from my Lasik surgery, which occurred 17 years ago, were no longer available. The Lasik surgery documentation was important in determining the exact corrections that now needed to be made to properly correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel wisely recommended I postpone the cataract removal and astigmatism correction procedure, until she received newly developed diagnostic equipment. This newly developed technology would provide her with the most accurate metrics possible. New specialized lens implants were also becoming available, which would correct my astigmatism. Dr. Patel explained my chances for a successful outcome would be significantly increased if I would be patient and wait a little longer. Dr. Patel is truly a physician with high integrity and would never perform surgery until she knew it was the right time. She truly cares about providing her patients with the best care she can. Dr. Patel successfully treated my dry eye symptoms with a regiment of eye drops, cleansing techniques and vitamins, which prevented me from requiring more extensive - and more expensive treatment. Prior to the surgery on my right eye, she provided me with sample eye drops from her office and coupons for the eye drops I would need to purchase after my surgery. She did all she could to reduce my expenses. During preparations for right eye surgery, Dr. Patel spent quality time with me explaining the results of my pre-surgery testing and asking questions to determine my vision goals. One of my desires was to once again see the front sight on a pistol. I thoroughly enjoyed going to the firing range, but due to the cataract in my right eye I could no longer see the sights, on my pistol. Although the cataract in my left eye was not as bad yet – I was also experiencing difficulty seeing and firing left handed. Using a blue gun (authentic plastic replica of a Sig P229 pistol), Dr. Patel took additional measurements which she used in determining the correct lens to implant, during my surgery. My right eye surgery took place on November 1, 2017. Two days after the surgery, I happened to glance at my mobile phone and for the first time in 10 years or more, I could read the information on the screen without glasses. I pulled the Sig out of its case and – wow! – The sight picture was there clear as a bell. So the right eye cataract is gone along with the rainbow halos around cars at night and the astigmatism has been corrected better than I dreamed possible. Quality of life restored! The process included the latest diagnostic equipment; the newest technology in an intraocular lens implant; and the use of a laser surgery technique performed by Dr. Patel. Sadly, insurance does not cover much of the cost for the process that produces the optimal results. When it comes to the long term correction of your vision and significant increase in the quality of life it is well worth the investment. Dr. Patel is a very accomplished and highly competent physician and surgeon. I will be forever grateful to her for restoring my vision. I highly recommend Dr. Patel. Jim Guhl Wichita, KS November 13, 2017
In Good Hands
by Luke F.
Category: lasik surgeryTalk about a life changing surgery!!! From the consultation to the surgery I knew I was in good hands. I would recommend WVI to anyone who is considering LASIK. Thanks WVI!
Life Changing!
by Ashley J.
Category: lasik surgeryI love Dr. Patel! After having my dreams crushed at another place when they told me I wasn't a candidate, I went to Dr Patel for a lasik consultation. She is very thorough and gave me information about my eyes that no doctor in almost 20 years has told me. A week ago I had Lasik and it has been life changing! I couldn't be happier and I'm so glad I chose Dr Patel. She truly cares about her patients and her passion shows. The wait time can be very long, but if you are prepared for that ahead of time, you won't be disappointed once you see the doctor. I'm recommending WVI to everyone I know. She is now the only doctor I trust for my eyes.
Impressed with Dr. Patel and Staff
by William D.
Category: cataract surgeryI first saw Dr. Patel about 6 years ago when my left eye wandered to the left side and stayed there. She sent me to the Dean McGee Eye Institute in Oklahoma City for further evaluation. No reason was ever found as to why it did that but it corrected itself after about two months. Since then I have been seeing Dr. Patel regularly. I damaged the left eye in an accident and had to have a vitrectomy performed. She referred me to another specialist Dr. Paul Weishaar and that outcome was also great. The eye did develop a cataract and she performed that surgery a few months ago and suggested a plan for treating dry eyes. It was outstanding and since wearing glasses for over 50 years, I now just wear sunglasses. Simply amazing. Dr. Patel and her staff are the greatest and they know other great professionals if the need arises. They also do charity work and they are all a total blessing to me. I would not even consider going anywhere else. Just gotta love them.
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