Commonly Asked Questions
1. What is the implant made of?
Materials commonly used are plastics such as PMMA and acrylics.
2. Is the procedure performed with a laser?
Removing the degenerative lens material is accomplished
with an ultrasonic probe that liquefies and then vacuums.
3. Can the catarct grow back?
Once the degenerative material is removed from the cellophane
"like" outer shell, it can never come back.
4. What is a secondary cataract?
The cellophane shell that has been cleared free of degenerative
material then is used to hold the implanted intraocular
lens in place. This, tissue itself in time can become cloudy
within months to years. When there is a reduction in vision,
a YAG laser procedure is performed, in the office. This
is a "painless", one time only procedure.
5. Will i experience any pain?
There will be no pain during the 12-15 minute procedure.
During the next 24 hours patients may experience an occasional
ache relieved by a tylenol. Narcotic pain relievers are
never required.
6. How many cataract surgeries has Dr. Ruff performed?
Dr Ruff has preformed well over 9,500 cataract surgeries.
Generally around 450 per year. Over the past 16 years he
has performed more cataract surgeries at lake forest hospital
than any other type of procedure performed by any other
individual surgeon at that hospital.
7. When will i be able to resume normal activities?!
Most patients resume normal activities the day after surgery
with some minor, common sense restrictions. Driving, social
activities, many types of sports and most occupations are
resumed within a day or two of surgery!
8. Is this a medicare/private insurance covered procedure?
Yes, in all cases!
9. Will i need a new pair of glasses after cataract surgery?
It depends upon the type of intra-ocular lens implant, and
the pre-operative discussion between Dr. Ruff and the patient.
Many patients are able to function without any glasses or
simply with readers. In all cases, the prescription of the
patients’ eye changes after surgery.
10. When should i have cataract surgery? Do my cataracts
have to be "ripe"?
The concept of "ripe" cataracts went out of fashion
from a surgical standpoint almost 40 years ago. An individual
should have cataract surgery when they want to see as well
as possible.
11. Can both eyes be done at the same time?
Historically and currently, the two eyes are done separately,
usually several weeks apart.
12. Am i too young for cataracts?
Everyone with this diagnosis feels that they are too young
for it, because of the vast number of causes, cataractous
degeneration can occur at any age.
13. What is the Restor Lens?
This represents a technologic update over the standard intra-ocular
lens implant. The Restor lens in both eyes vastly increases
the probability that the patient will be eyeglass free for
all visual activities.
Commonly Asked Questions
