Stay Safe Behind The Wheel

Cataract surgery can help you stay in the driver’s seat

For most people, driving represents independence, freedom, and control over traveling wherever—and whenever. Getting a driver’s license is a crucial rite of passage for sixteen-year-olds, eager to establish independence. On the other end of the scale, keeping a driver’s license is of the utmost importance to senior citizens, as they struggle to maintain their independence and lifestyle while aging.

Driving requires sharp vision, and the ability to drive safely can be challenged by common cataract symptoms that make it hard to see the road, street signs, other cars, or even people walking. If you don’t see things in time to react, your safety and the safety of others can be severely compromised. And having these symptoms can even interfere with the enjoyment of everyday activities. Common Florida hobbies like golf or tennis are made more difficult by cataract-induced sensitivity to bright sunlight, and reading can be a struggle.

Poor vision is often a consequence of advancing age, and can be a telltale sign of cataracts. Because cataracts are a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, living with cataracts has been described as seeing life through a piece of wax paper. Other signs of a cataract include:
• Objects looking blurry
• Eyes being more sensitive to bright light
• Halos and glare from headlights and streetlights
• Colors appearing dull and washed out
• Poor night vision
• Depth perception being off
• Double vision
If you’re experiencing one or more of the signs above, a visit to the eye doctor is in order to get a complete cataract evaluation. The good news is that cataract surgery could get you back on the road again!

Can I still drive with a cataract?
Unfortunately having a cataract can threaten your driving privileges. It’s hard to drive safely and confidently when you can’t see sharply. Often people with cataracts start planning car trips to avoid times when vision may be most affected…for example, driving west at dusk into a bright setting sun or driving in rainy conditions at night.

Restoring vision through the miracle of
cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is highly successful and the most commonly performed surgery in the US. Using the newest, most advanced technology, The Eye Associates’ skilled surgeons will safely and gently remove the cataract (which is actually your eye’s natural lens that has become cloudy), and replace it with an Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL). The surgery is performed outpatient and under local anesthesia. The actual surgery takes less than 15 minutes, although you will be here longer for pre-op and post-op care. Patients are usually able to resume most normal activities within hours, and frequently have better vision than they had before they developed cataracts.

“Until recently, most cataract surgery patients did not have a choice of what kind of IOL they received. The standard single focus IOL was used; intended to give clear distance vision but no correction for near vision,” explains Dr. Cathleen McCabe. “but today’s cataract patients have more options than ever before and can even upgrade to a High Tech Lens Implant that offers distance and near vision! Some patients that have worn glasses for their entire lives are thrilled to discover they can now see without wearing glasses, thanks to their new IOL.” Imagine being able to read menus and newspapers, work on a computer, and also have the ability to drive, all without glasses! Now with the FDA approved High Tech IOLs available, you can do just that.

Traditional Cataract Surgery VS Bladeless Laser
Cataract Surgery
There are no eyes like your eyes, and there is no cataract procedure like laser cataract surgery customized for you alone. The Eye Associates is pleased to offer Bladeless Laser Cataract Surgery with Alcon’s LenSx® laser. The LenSx® laser brings a new level of customization to cataract surgery, allowing each procedure to be specifically tailored to patient anatomy and surgeon preference.

By adding computer control to key steps of cataract surgery, the LenSx® laser is unquestionably the most technologically advanced option for cataract patients.

Enhanced Driving Safety After Cataract Surgery
Studies done over the years have shown that patients who have had cataracts removed had 50% fewer accidents compared with those who did not opt to have surgery. A recent Australian study presented at the American Academy of Ophthalmology demonstrated that cataract surgery not only improves vision and quality of life for older people, but it also reduces the number of car crashes and the costs incurred as a result of accidents. This Australian study shows that cataract surgery is a factor in public safety and provides economic cost benefits to society at large.

Cataract surgery is fast, safe and comfortable. If you’re concerned that cataracts are threatening your ability to drive safely, call 1-866-865-2020 for a cataract evaluation appointment.

The Eye Associates
Richard E. Hector, MD
Robert S. Friedman, MD
Cathleen McCabe, MD
Brian Foster, MD
Joshua Mali, MD
Charles Anthony II, MD
Todd Berger, MD
Jeffrey Kasper, MD
Ahmad Tarabishy, MD
Scott B. Han, OD
Michael Camp, OD
Edwin Detweiler III, OD
Lori Ann Long, OD
Robert Rego, OD
David M. Rubin, OD

Toll Free: 1-866-865-2020
www.Sight4Life.com

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