If you or someone you know is experiencing reduced vision including a blurry focus on objects regardless of distance, or complain of glare, particularly at night with oncoming traffic lights or street lamps for example, then a cataract in one or both eyes may be the cause. The symptoms will not improve without corrective treatment and only the best treatment available is the choice. And the choice should be America’s Ophthalmologist of the Year according to “Who’s Who,” Dr. James E. Croley III, M.D., founder and owner of Cataract & Refractive Institute of Florida with offices in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres and Bonita Springs.
We talked with Dr. Croley about the nature of cataracts and how they might be treated.
What is a cataract?
Dr. Croley: A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which works like a camera. It focuses light images on the retina, which then sends the image to the brain. What happens with cataracts is that a person’s lens becomes extremely clouded, keeping light and images from reaching the retina. People with cataracts typically experience blurry images and dull colors, and seeing at night becomes difficult and especially dangerous for nighttime drivers. They may also discover that their bifocal eyewear or reading glasses are not as effective as they once were.
What do you recommend for treatment?
Dr. Croley: The first step for anyone experiencing vision problems is to make an appointment for a full eye exam. As a VisionLock Certified Surgeon, I personally examine all of my patients from the first visit and all visits afterwards whether in my offices in Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres or Bonita Springs. And the first visit is free. All of my offices are fully equipped to handle diagnoses and treatment of most eye issues. My offices are staffed with the best eye caregivers available.
What is a VisionLock Certified Surgeon?
Dr. Croley: As a designated premier cataract surgeon, I am the first in the United States chosen by VisionLock based on my Board Certification and achievement of more than 30 quality and treatment criteria that I have practiced for more than 30 years. By definition, a VisionLock surgeon is “best of the best,” with offices offering state-of-the-art exam procedures, diagnostic and surgical equipment in a clean and aesthetically pleasing environment. It also means patients are ensured an experience that includes team members who are efficient, educated and motivated to perform and care about them, the facility and the community.
What if you do find the problem is cataracts?
Dr. Croley: If the diagnosis is cataract, then there are a number of choices available for treatment that invariably requires some level of eye surgery. As a VisionLock Certified Surgeon, I offer a number of options that I explain in detail on a case-by-case basis depending on the patient’s individual needs and desired outcome of any procedure I may perform. There are five copyrighted and trademarked Precision Cataract Surgery procedures:
1. Bronze Precision Cataract Surgery: This is a one-piece Softec HD Monocular Intraocular Lens and is the most accurate intraocular lens on the market.
2. Silver Precision Cataract Surgery: Patients who have astigmatism are excellent candidates for the Acrysof® IQ Toric Intraocular Lens. The toric astigmatism lens corrects the person’s astigmatism and allows most people to see well at a distance without glasses, although reading glasses may be required.
3. Titanium Precision Cataract Surgery: Patients with astigmatism are candidates for bladeless laser cataract surgery, which is used to perform portions of the cataract surgery and corrects the shape of the eye resulting in a reduced or eliminated need for glasses.
4. Gold Precision Cataract Surgery: This procedure offers qualifying patients with several different brands of lens options that provide multiple focus points for distance, intermediate and near vision.
5. Platinum Precision Cataract Surgery: This procedure is similar to the “Gold” but further offers treatment of astigmatism with a limbal-relaxing incision in the corneal area of the eye performed by a Femtosecond Laser to reduce or eliminate the astigmatism by correcting the shape of the eye.
How do I know if I am a candidate for a cataract procedure?
Dr. Croley: If you are experiencing blurred or discolored vision or you find that light sources are glaring and uncomfortable, you can simply give us a call at (239) 949-1190 to set up an evaluation at no cost to you. I encourage you to visit us online at floridacataract.com for more information about my qualifications and the specific procedures that are available to you.
“No Hidden Charges: It is our policy that the patient and any other person responsible for payments has the right to refuse to pay, cancel payment or be reimbursed by payment or any other service, examination or treatment which is performed as a result of and within 72 hours of responding to the advertisement for the free, discounted fee or reduced fee service, examination or treatment.” Not valid with any other offers.