Cataract Surgery Expert Witness

Things can go awry during cataract surgery. These include wrong implant power, dropped nucleus, broken capsule, vitreous loss and poor implant position. Post-operatively, problems include cystoid macular edema, infections, poor vision, retinal detachment and glaucoma. If you have experienced Cataract Surgery Malpractice, and would like an expert to review your case Contact Dr. Lefkowitz as your Cataract Surgery Expert Witness.

What is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a medical procedure that is performed to remove a cataract, which is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that causes vision loss. The surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), that restores clear vision.

The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgery, meaning that the patient can go home on the same day as the surgery. The surgery itself is usually done under local anesthesia, which numbs the eye and prevents the patient from feeling any pain or discomfort during the procedure.

During cataract surgery, the surgeon will make a small incision in the eye, usually less than 3mm in size, and use ultrasound waves to break up the cloudy lens. The broken up pieces of the lens are then removed through the same incision. Once the cloudy lens is removed, the artificial lens is inserted into the eye through the same incision.

The artificial lens is carefully selected by the surgeon based on the patient’s individual needs, such as their age, eye shape, and the degree of vision loss caused by the cataract. There are several types of artificial lenses available, including monofocal lenses, multifocal lenses, and toric lenses.

Monofocal lenses are the most common type of artificial lens used in cataract surgery. They provide clear vision at a fixed distance, usually either near or far. Patients who choose monofocal lenses may still need to wear glasses for some activities, such as reading or driving.

Multifocal lenses are another type of artificial lens that can be used in cataract surgery. They provide clear vision at both near and far distances, reducing the need for glasses after surgery. However, they may not be suitable for all patients and can be more expensive than monofocal lenses.

Toric lenses are a type of artificial lens that is used to correct astigmatism, which is a condition that causes blurry vision due to an irregularly shaped cornea. Toric lenses can provide clear vision at both near and far distances and can correct astigmatism, reducing the need for glasses after surgery.