Best Cataract Surgeons Fort Myers
Cataracts can occur at any age, but are a very common part of the natural aging process. If you are seeking the best cataract surgeons in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, look no further than Elmquist Eye Group.
Dr. E. Trevor Elmquist, one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology, his partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associates, Nina Burt, OD and Sarah Eccles-Brown, MD, provide complete eye care services for all members of your family, from children to seniors.
Dr. Elmquist and Dr. Eccles-Brown are skilled, board certified ophthalmologists, and Drs. Wagner and Burt are board certified optometrists. With state-of-the-art facilities, we can help you achieve the best possible visual results from your cataract surgery.
Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and, by 2020, it is estimated that 30 million Americans will have some type of age-related cataracts. If you find that cataracts are interfering with your normal activities, such as reading the newspaper, working on your computer and driving, or are finding it difficult to enjoy everyday life, it’s time to discuss surgery.
The Evolution of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the oldest surgical procedures in history, but has (thankfully) evolved over the centuries. The first documented procedure was in the 5th Century BC and involved striking the cataract with a blunt object to cause it to dislodge. As you might imagine, although the process removed the cataract, very limited vision was restored.
Flash forward in time to 1967, when new advancements resulted in the technique of phacoemulsification, which allowed eye surgeons to break up the cloudy cataract into tiny fragments and suction them out through smaller incisions. Patients recovered faster and avoided long hospital stays.
Lens implant technology also advanced. Smaller incisions required the lenses to be more flexible, so manufacturers began using materials such as acrylic and silicon. The lenses could be folded to fit through the tiny incisions.
Today, laser technology has been developed for use in cataract removal. Lasers assist the surgeon in making precise incisions at specific locations, lengths and depth, and break the lens into tiny fragments, procedures that used to be done by hand.
Laser-assisted cataract surgery is incredibly accurate and provides for quick recovery and the best visual outcomes possible. New lens implant technology is also available to correct for different vision inconsistencies, such as astigmatism.
When to Consider Cataract Surgery
Symptoms of cataracts may include blurred or double vision, glare or haloes from lights, poor night vision, and frequent changes in prescription for your eyeglasses or contact lenses.
While there is no reason to rush into cataract surgery unless your vision is affecting your lifestyle, there are some reasons you may want to consider doing it sooner than later. Patients who elect to have cataract surgery experience fewer hip fractures and are able to enjoy better driving performance.
If you think you may be a candidate for cataract surgery or want to find out more about the best cataract surgeons in Cape Coral or Fort Myers, contact Elmquist Eye Group at (239) 936-2020. We would be delighted to answer your questions and help restore clarity and crispness in your vision.