“Smart” Cataract Surgery Lets Physicians Fine Tune Lens Implants

Cataract surgery is one of the most common—and most successful—procedures performed in the U.S. And new technology has made cataract surgery “smart,” meaning patients have new options in lens implant performance.

The ORA System for cataract surgery available at Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor and Haun in East Tennessee gives physicians unprecedented information before, during, and after the surgical procedure.

This means that the surgeon can make adjustments that fine-tune lens performance for the individual, providing a truly customized fit.

Cataracts are discolorations of the lens of the eye. They cause vision to appear cloudy, and in severe cases, cause blindness. To correct this, the surgeon removes the old cloudy lens and replace it with a new artificial one, called an Intraocular Lens (IOL).  Originally, IOLs were mono-focus, meaning that it could be set for either near or distance vision. The patient could use glasses to compensate as needed.

New IOLs, however, are reshape themselves to focus and varying distances, much like a natural lens. And with the ORA System, the new lenses can offer even more benefits.

Here’s how the ORA System works:  A painless beam of low intensity laser light is directed into the cataract patient’s eye, reflecting off the retina. Sensors analyze the reflected wave of light to produce precise measurements. This data gives surgeons a real-time snapshot of the patient eye’s unique optical characteristics, including the imperfections caused by the cataract.

After the cataract is removed and the new lens is implanted, the ORA technology can tell if the eye is in focus. If it’s not, the system helps the surgeon focus the eye. Depending on each patient’s specific situation, this may involve refining the IOL power calculations, altering the placement and formation of the incisions, or selecting a different lens.

This is a major advancement, because in traditional cataract surgery, measurements are calculated before and evaluated after the procedure. Measurements are precise, but there is a margin of error. With traditional surgery, measurements would again be taken a few weeks after surgery to determine if the right lens was selected.

With the ORA System, these measurements can be taken DURING surgery, which reduces the chances that adjustments may be needed later. This benefits both surgeon and patient. And in some cases, using the ORA System during surgery with a premium IOL may even eliminate the need for eyeglasses after the procedure.

Need to know more?  See our page on the ORA System, or schedule an appointment with Drs. Campbell, Cunningham, Taylor & Haun by calling (865) 584-0905. You can also make an appointment online here.