Orange County Cataract Surgery Guide
"Cataract surgery has dramatically evolved over time. The technological innovations have heightened the
safety of the procedure and improved patients' recovery rate. Our cataract surgery patients are achieving
higher levels of vision and increasing independence from corrective lenses. It is my goal to combine
advanced technology with good old-fashioned care."
Tony Pham, M.D.
Chief Cataract Surgeon
Please note, we currently specialize in LASIK and PRK surgery only. We no longer provide these
services but will leave this information on the website for educational purposes.
Cataract surgery has tremendous potential to improve your vision. At the Orange County Eye and Cataract Center, we
perform outpatient cataract surgery, using needle-free anesthesia and a stitch-free procedure. We also specialize in
the use of advanced intraocular lenses. These lenses have the capacity to help you "see young again."
This page will go through the symptoms and causes of cataracts. It will guide you through the causes of cataracts and
the different treatments available at the Orange County and Irvine Cataract Surgery Institute.
Today's advances in cataract surgery are remarkable. This page will discuss the removal of your cataract with
ultrasound energy called phacoemulsification.
Learn how you can see various distances with the new Restor, Rezoom, and Crystalens intraocular lens implants. This
page will also inform you about the Toric (astigmatism) correcting intraocular lens.
The best way to learn about cataract surgery and whether it is a reasonable surgery for you is to meet Dr. Pham for a
cataract consultation.
Top Ten Questions About Cataract Surgery
1. What is a cataract?
A cataract is a natural opacification of your lens. When you are born, your lens is clear. As you get older, your
lens gets cloudier. This causes increased glare and halo at night. You may also have difficulty driving a car.
However, people may also get cataracts through other processes besides aging. Diabetes, medical diseases, steroid
use, and other conditions may accelerate cataract progression.
2. How do you treat a cataract? Are lasers involved?
The most advanced way to treat a cataract is through a process called phacoemulsification. Phacoemulsification uses
high-powered ultrasound energy to break the cataract up into small pieces. Dr. Pham at the Orange County LASIK Institute then uses the
device to remove your cataract. After the cataract is removed, a lens is placed in your eye to replace the cataract
that had been removed. Unfortunately, lasers do not remove cataracts.
3. Is the procedure painful?
The cataract operation is done in an ambulatory surgery center. Dr. Pham works with an anesthesiologist to make your
procedure as minimally invasive as possible.
4. What is the recovery after cataract surgery in Orange County like?
The recovery is incredibly fast. No eye patch is required. However, you will need to use use eye drops for 2-3 weeks
to aid in the healing process. We also prefer that our patients avoid heavy lifting or any strenuous activity for
two weeks post-surgery. Otherwise, you can live a normal lifestyle. Reading, watching TV, or walking are all
reasonable activities to engage in after surgery.
5. What do I need to do to evaluate my eyes for a cataract?
The only way to know if you truly have a cataract is by having an examination with Dr. Pham. He will do an eye
examination with a slit lamp (microscope). If you are diagnosed with a cataract at the Orange County LASIK
Institute, Dr. Pham will do further testing for your eyes. He uses this information to make a surgery plan for you
and pick the correct lens for your eye.
6. What are the new advancements in cataract surgery?
The newest advancements in cataract surgery in Orange County are the Restor and Rezoom lenses. These lenses are
termed "multifocal lenses" because they potentially give you the ability to see near and far distances without
glasses. Not everyone is a candidate for these lenses. However, for the right patient, the Restor or Rezoom lenses
may be an ideal solution.
7. If I wait to have surgery done, will I go blind?
Generally, cataracts will progress as you get older. Often, Dr. Pham will wait until they progress to a point where
they interfere with your ability to perform normal activities. For example, if you have trouble driving or writing
checks, it may be reasonable at that point to have cataract surgery with the Orange County LASIK institute. While
waiting to have surgery does not hurt your eyes, the longer you wait, the more advanced the cataract gets.
8. Do you do both eyes at the same time?
We do surgery for cataract surgery at the Orange County LASIK Institute one eye at a time. This allows you time to
heal and recover.
9. What other things do I need to do before surgery?
Dr. Pham at the Orange County LASIK institute recommends that you see your general doctor for pre-operative
clearance.
10. Does insurance pay for cataract surgery?
Once your deductible is met, your insurance will pay for your cataract surgery. Medicare is also one of the major
payers for cataract surgery. Dr. Pham accepts all of the major insurances, Medicare, and Medical. For cash patients,
we strive to offer assistance, so that people can benefit from cataract surgery at our Orange County LASIK
Institute.
Cataract Surgery is one of the most widely performed surgeries performed in the United States and at the Orange
County Eye and Cataract Center. Over three million Americans have cataract surgery each year. The surgery has
evolved and is very different than that in the time of our parents.
A cataract is an opacification of the lens. When we are born, the lens is naturally clear. However, the lens may
become cloudy or opacified. Once the lens has lost its natural clarity, it is called a cataract. Please visit the
links above to learn more about cataract surgery at the Orange County Eye, Cataract, and LASIK Center.
The Orange County LASIK Institute
3500 Barranca Parkway Suite 150
Irvine , CA 92606
Phone: (949) 450 - 2020
Fax: (949) 450 - 0040
© All content written and copyrighted by the Orange County LASIK
Institute