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- Address: 2346 Drew St. Clearwater, FL
Behler Eye and Laser Center has over 25 years of experience; Specializing in cataract surgery, Dr. Behler utilizes the the most advanced surgical techniques requiring neither needles or stitches.
Cataracts – the gradual clouding of the eye’s natural lens – are a normal part of the aging process, and are the leading cause of reversible vision loss in adults.
If you’re over age 65, there’s an almost 50 percent chance that you’re developing cataracts; if you’ve reached the age of 75, there’s a 70 percent chance that this clouding is significant enough to have a noticeable effect on your vision.
The lens in each eye acts much like the lens of a camera, focusing the light that enters the eye so it forms a sharp image on the retina (the light sensitive membrane lining the back of the eye that sends signals to the optic nerve).
As a cataract develops, the clear lens can darken and become cloudy, just as a piece of clear plastic does when exposed to the elements. When this happens, light passing through the lens is scattered and no longer forms a sharp image on the retina.
The symptoms of cataracts vary among patients and can include:
Many people experiencing the vision-related problems of cataracts feel that their eyeglasses need more frequent cleaning or that they need a stronger eyeglass prescription.
Aging is the primary risk factor in the development of cataracts, but other risk factors can speed the process.
These include:
Cataracts are the result of the clouding of the eye’s lens, which is a common part of the aging process. There is a 50 percent chance that you are developing cataracts if you are 50 years old and older. Certain environmental factors, like a lifetime of exposure to bright sunlight, dust or cigarette smoke, can accelerate or worsen the effect. Fortunately, cataract surgery is able to provide a clear lens surface and restore the eye’s ability to collect light.
The process of cataract development is painless, but it has many symptoms. These include blurry vision, a need for high light levels in order to see, double vision, reduced night vision, and paradoxically, increased sensitivity to light.
Modern cataract surgery uses a simple process to correct the problem. An incision is made on the cornea – the eye’s lens – and then your natural lens is emulsified by ultrasound. This lens material is then removed and replaced with a fresh, clear artificial lens. The premium artificial lenses used today are far more versatile than those of old – they allow for both near and far vision without the need for glasses. There is also no need to have one eye focused for near and the other for far as with old lenses.
A Quick Rundown of Modern Cataract Surgery and its ResultsrWith all of these benefits, there’s no need to wait any longer if you are located in the Tampa bay area, including Sgt. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, new Port Richey and surrounding areas. Contact Behler Eye & Laser Center today to schedule an evaluation.
If the glare of bright lights at night bothers you more than they used to, or you find it more difficult to see at low light levels, you might need cataracts surgery. Fortunately, advancements in cataracts surgery can restore your vision.
Cataracts cloud the normally clear lens of your eye, causing blurry vision and increased glare from lights. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, more than 20 million Americans over the age of 40 years struggle with cataracts. This degenerative disease robs the vision of more than half of people over the age of 80 in the United States.
You will likely have cataracts surgery as an outpatient; the procedure usually takes less than an hour. First, the ophthalmologist will administer drops to widen your pupil. He will then anesthetize the area so you will not feel discomfort. He may give you a sedative to help you relax, if necessary.
During a typical cataract surgery, doctors remove your old, cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial lens. Sometimes, however, he will use an ultrasound probe to break up the cataract and suck out the remnants. Your vision may be blurry immediately after the procedure but you should notice an improvement within a few days of cataracts surgery. Contact Behler Eye and Laser Center today, if you are located in Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, New Port Richey and surrounding areas, to find out if this is the right procedure for you!
In decades past, the risks of cataract surgery often caused ophthalmologists to advise their patients to delay cataract surgery as long as possible.
Today, advances in surgical techniques and instruments have made cataract surgery one of the safest, most predictable surgeries performed in the world, with benefits that far outweigh the risks.
This means a cataract can be safely and successfully treated at any stage. Surgery is now recommended when cataracts begin to affect quality of life or interfere with everyday activities. More than 2.7 million Americans now choose to have vision-restoring cataract surgery treatment every year.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Behler today to discuss cataract surgery treatment procedures.
The first step in the cataract surgery procedure is to apply eye-drop anesthesia to the eye, then places a micro-incision on the clear corneal tissue. Placing the incision on the clear cornea, where there are no blood vessels, means that patients who are on blood thinners do not have to interrupt their medication regimen to reap the benefits of cataract surgery.
Cataract Surgery ProcedureThis incision serves as a portal for introducing a delicate probe that uses highly advanced torsional ultrasound technology to emulsify the natural lens. Gentle suction removes the lens material, creating a place for the IOL. The IOL is introduced through the same small incision, which begins to heal immediately without the need for stitches to secure it.
The entire cataract surgery procedure is accomplished within a matter of minutes, recovery is rapid, and patients can resume their normal activities the day after surgery.
If both eyes need to be treated (cataracts usually develop in both eyes), surgeries are usually scheduled a week apart.
Contact Behler Eye and Laser Center today to set up an appointment with Dr. Behler to discuss options for cataract surgery procedures.
Depending upon the type of IOL used to replace the natural lens, patients may also find that they no longer need eyeglasses in most situations.
Medicare covers the cost of placing single-prescription IOLs during cataract surgery, so a patient may select a prescription that delivers either crisp distance or near vision, and use eyeglasses for other purposes.
Monovision correction is also covered: a patient can choose to have one eye corrected for distance vision and the other corrected for near or reading vision.
More and more patients today are finding it worthwhile to pay the difference between Medicare’s coverage for traditional IOLs and the cost of premium IOLs. Examples are the accommodating Crystalens® that works with the muscles inside the eye to restore focusing ability, and multifocal lenses like ReSTOR®, and TECNIS® that provide good distance and near vision.
To determine which of these premium lenses is best suited for a particular patient’s visual needs, Dr. Behler spends time learning about each patient’s lifestyle demands. Every patient’s need is unique, and Dr. Behler has worked with all the available implants long enough to understand their unique properties.
Delivering an outstanding range of vision, the PanOptix® Lens is the latest advancement from the AcrySof® Family of Lenses, the most implanted cataract replacement lenses worldwide. The PanOptix® Lens enhances quality as well as range, so your vision will be as sharp and vivid as it is complete.
Having performed thousands of refractive surgery procedures, Dr. Scott Behler has been certified by the Council of Refractive Surgery Quality Assurance, The American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Eye Surgery
With over 20 plus years of experience, Dr. Scott Behler is a highly experienced eye surgeon who dedicates his time and professional expertise to patients who have vision problems.
He works with every patient on a one-on-one basis, determining their vision problems and giving specialized treatment to the customer’s satisfaction.