Kung Eye Center is proud to offer state-of-the-art laser cataract removal in both of its offices located in New Jersey and Staten Island. We also offer transportation services to the surgery centers we operate at.
What is a Cataract?
As we age, the proteins in the crystalline lens of the eye will clump together eventually causing the lens to become hard and cloudy. This is a cataract and it will make vision hazy and blurry. A cataract can affect your entire field of vision and make day-to-day functions such as reading and driving difficult or even impossible. Removal of the cataract is the only way to restore vision. Cataract surgery is now recommended when the cataract begins to interfere with your vision and before it begins making daily tasks difficult or affecting your quality of life. Kung Eye Center located in New Jersey and Staten Island, NY, offers premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) that can replace your cloudy natural lens to give you clearer, more dependable vision and offer more freedom from glasses following cataract surgery.
There are three distinct types of cataracts:
- Nuclear cataracts are the most common form of cataract and are usually associated with aging, and form deep in the central zone of the lens.
- Subcapsular cataracts develop at the back of the lens and are usually found in patients with diabetes, pronounced farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa, or those who take high doses of steroid medications.
- Cortical cataracts are characterized by white, wedge-like opacities that develop from the outer edges of the lens and move inward toward the center in a spoke-like pattern. This type of cataract is most common among diabetics.
Symptoms of cataracts include:
- A loss of color, detail, or sharpness to your vision.
- Blurred, cloudy, or dim vision.
- Difficulty with night vision, especially while driving.
- Sensitivity to bright lights.
- Glare or halos around lights.
- Colors that aren’t as bright.
- Double vision.
Risk Factors
Aside from aging, researchers have identified factors that are associated with the development of cataracts. These include:
- Ultraviolet radiation from exposure to sunlight and other sources.
- Diabetes.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
- Hypertension.
- Previous eye injury or inflammation.
- Previous eye surgery.
- Prolonged use of corticosteroid medications.
- Use of statin medicines to reduce cholesterol.
- Hormone replacement therapy.
- Significant alcohol consumption.
- High level of myopia.
- Family history.
Though there is significant controversy about whether cataracts can be prevented, nutrition studies have shown that diets high in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may help prevent certain types of cataracts. While most cataract patients are over the age of 50, some people may develop them earlier due to diabetes or injury. Some patients are also born with cataracts, also known as congenital cataracts.
Expand Your Knowledge
Gain a deeper understanding about the topics, conditions, and procedures discussed on this page by watching our informational videos.
Cataract Surgery
When surgery becomes necessary for a cataract patient, they can rest assured that they will be well cared for at Kung Eye Center. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the U.S. It has evolved over the years into a state-of-the-art procedure that is usually completed in only a few minutes and has a quick recovery.
Cataract surgery begins by dilating the pupil and administering eye-numbing drops to ensure patient comfort. Your cataract surgeon will then make a small incision and an ultrasonic probe is inserted that breaks up the clouded lens into smaller pieces and suctions them out. This process is called phacoemulsification. Next, a new intraocular lens (IOL) is placed in the space where the clouded lens used to be. Patients can have the Medicare-approved monofocal lens, which allows for clear, cataract-free vision, but may require the use of glasses for distance vision after surgery. Patients that have a monofocal lens will require reading glasses or bifocals following surgery. Many patients, however, choose to upgrade to Premium multifocal or accommodative lens implants that offer clear vision at a range of distances, including up-close, and can reduce or eliminate dependence on reading glasses, contact lenses, or bifocals following laser eye surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cataract Surgery
Are you put under anesthesia for cataract surgery?
Anesthesiologist will provide anesthesia by intravenous injection
Are you sitting or lying down during cataract surgery?
At what stage should cataracts be removed?
Cataracts can be removed when the patients vision is impaired
Can a cataract be removed too early?
Cataracts should be removed when the patient is having trouble with their vision
Can I eat before a cataract operation?
It is best for the stomach to be empty before cataract surgery
Can I wear my old glasses after cataract surgery?
Generally, your glass prescription will change after cataract surgery but if you feel more comfortable wearing your old glasses, it will not hurt your eyes
Can you have cataract surgery in one eye only?
Yes but if the cataracts are significant in both eyes the patient will feel more comfortable having both cataracts removed
Can you wait too long to have cataract surgery?
Cataracts are generally harder to remove, the thicker it gets
Can you watch TV after cataract surgery?
Yes, but it is important to rest your eyes immediately after surgery
How do you wash your face after cataract surgery?
It is best not to get tap water in the eye after surgery since the water is not sterile
Do you feel anything during cataract surgery?
Some patients can feel pressure and a sense of touch while others will feel nothing
How long do I have to wear the eye shield after cataract surgery?
It is best to ask your surgeon but generally 1-2 weeks should be sufficient
How do you clean your eye after cataract surgery?
Wash around the eye with a clean face cloth or cotton balls to avoid water getting into the eye
How long do I need to wear dark glasses outside after cataract surgery?
Using dark glasses is for your comfort. The eye will not be harmed if you dont wear them
How do you know when its time to get cataract surgery?
When your vision is bothering you and you wish to improve it
How long does it take to recover from cataract surgery?
Most patients recover after cataract surgery within a few weeks
Is there any reason to delay cataract surgery?
Please speak with your surgeon to discuss what the best timing is for your surgery
What is the latest treatment for cataracts?
Cataracts are removed with high frequency ultrasound and sometimes assisted by laser. There are many new implants which will allow patients to see near and far
What are the side effects of cataract surgery?
Some patients may experience irritation of the eye, swelling, blurriness, redness and discomfort which usually lasts a short period of time
What is the success rate of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is highly successful and one of the most successful surgeries performed
What is the average age for cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery can be performed in children as well as senior citizens. The majority of the patients who have cataract surgery are older than age 65
What kind of sedation is used for cataract surgery?
Intravenous sedation and local sedation is often given
What is the difference between cataract surgery and lens replacement?
A cataract is the clouding of your natural lens but lens replacement surgery can also be performed on patients who have high prescriptions before they form cataracts
What should I avoid after cataract surgery?
It is best to avoid rubbing the eye, pushing on the eye, lifting heavy objects, getting water or dust in the eye
Which is better laser or traditional cataract surgery?
It is best to speak to your surgeon as some surgeons are more comfortable with one type of procedure versus another but the laser can make incisions that are more precise than your hand can make
Why do you wear dark glasses after cataract surgery?
To provide comfort from bright lights
What implants will help me see the clearest?
There is a Light Adjustable Lens which allows your doctor to adjust the power of your implant while it is in your eye, after surgery to allow you to see the clearest. The implant can be adjusted to give you near vision or far vision. Studies have shown that patients can see 20/20 at twice the rate of normal basic implants
For years I’ve had problems with my eyes not receiving the correct prescription for the contacts I needed…Upon meeting Dr.Avi he set my mind at ease and said “let’s get you fixed up” and proceeded to prescribe the perfect lenses for me! Now I see better than ever thanks to his professional care to detail…I highly recommend him to anyone that is in need of a great eye doctor! Thank you so much!
I recently had corrective lens surgery performed by Dr. Kung with amazing results. I no longer require glasses for reading or distance (driving, tv viewing etc.). Dr. Kung and his staff are consistently friendly, helpful and provided excellent care pre-, during and post-surgery…best care anywhere. I would definitely recommend the Kung Eye Center for the treatment of any ophthalmological disorder.
Kung Eye Center is great! Dr. Kung, his doctors, technicians, and office staff run the eye center with precision, efficiency, intelligence and most of all, with caring and empathy.
All medical facilities and offices should be run as well as Kung Eye Center.
I am now on the road to the best vision I can have. I highly recommend Dr Kung and the Eye Center. You will be very pleased!
Laser Cataract Surgery
Kung Eye Center offers Laser Cataract Surgery, the latest innovation in cataract surgery to their Staten Island and East Brunswick, NJ patients. Laser Cataract Surgery is the newest approach to cataract surgery and provides unmatched precision and the ability to customize the surgery to each patient. This can result in better visual outcomes and shorter recover for patients.
Traditional cataract surgery relies on manual techniques to access, remove and replace the cataract. Laser Cataract Surgery uses a computer-guided laser, delivering better precision and accuracy, and thus providing patients with better visual outcomes and shorter recovery times.
Another benefit to Laser Cataract Surgery is that the laser can be used to treat astigmatism during surgery. Special relaxing incisions can be created in the cornea to achieve a rounder, more natural shape, improving vision and lessening the need for glasses following cataract surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions about Laser Cataract Surgery
Are you awake during cataract surgery?
Although you are awake, intravenous sedation and local sedation is often given
How long do I have to wear the eye shield after cataract surgery?
It is best to ask your surgeon but generally 1-2 weeks should be sufficient
Are you sitting or lying down during cataract surgery?
How long do I need to wear dark glasses outside after cataract surgery?
Using dark glasses is for your comfort. The eye will not be harmed if you dont wear them
At what stage should cataracts be removed?
Cataracts can be removed when the patients vision is impaired
How long does it take to recover from laser cataract surgery?
Most patients recover after cataract surgery within a few weeks
Can cataracts be removed by laser surgery?
Your surgeon may choose to perform laser assisted cataract surgery so the laser can be a precise tool to be used
Is cataract laser surgery painful?
Some patients can feel pressure and a sense of touch while others will feel nothing
Is laser cataract surgery better?
The laser is a precise tool and some surgeons feel that they get much better results with the laser
What is the advantage of laser cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery allows patients to see clearer afterwards
What are the disadvantages of cataract surgery?
Patients may experience redness, swelling, irritation, blurred vision after surgery which usually resolves.
What is the average age for cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery can be performed in children as well as senior citizens. The majority of the patients who have cataract surgery are older than age 65
What happens if you blink during cataract surgery?
Your surgeon will place a speculum into the eye to prevent blinking
What is the difference between laser surgery and cataract surgery?
The laser is a precise tool that your surgeon may use for certain parts of the cataract surgery
What kind of sedation is used for cataract surgery?
Intravenous sedation and local sedation is often given
What happens if you blink during laser eye surgery?
Your surgeon will place a speculum into the eye to prevent blinking
What type of lens does Medicare cover for cataract surgery?
Medicare covers a basic monofocal lens which allows patients to see at one distance only
Which surgery is best for cataract?
The majority of cataract surgeries are performed using a high frequency ultrasound probe
Why is my astigmatism worse after cataract surgery?
Your prescription may have changed after the new lens was inserted into your eye
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
Some patients will need glasses and/or near clearly after cataract surgery
Which lens will allow me to see the clearest?
There is a Light Adjustable Lens which allows your doctor to adjust the power of your implant while it is in your eye, after surgery to allow you to see the clearest. The implant can be adjusted to give you near vision or far vision. Studies have shown that patients can see 20/20 at twice the rate of normal basic implants
Traditional Manual vs Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery, the surgeon must perform incisions, the capsulorhexis (opening made into the bag that holds the lens of the eye) and if applicable, limbal relaxing incisions for reducing astigmatism. In the past, eye surgeons performed most of these steps of cataract surgery using manual hand-held blades and instruments. With the introduction of laser-assisted cataract surgery, many of these steps can be performed using the precision of a computer-guided femtosecond laser. In addition to the steps mentioned above, the femtosecond laser can dissect a cataract into tiny little pieces. This makes removal of a cataract much easier for the surgeon and decreases the phacoemulsification time (removal of the cataract using ultrasound), which can result in a more comfortable procedure for the patient and a faster recovery time. This is extremely beneficial when our surgeons are performing cataract removal on patients with dense or mature cataracts.
Simply put, laser cataract surgery takes an already safe procedure and makes it more precise, more predictable, and better than ever before.
What are the benefits of Laser-Cataract Surgery?
- A highly customized procedure using advanced 3D imaging.
- A treatment with little or no discomfort.
- A more precise treatment.
- A gentler and easier cataract removal.
- Generally, a more rapid visual recovery due to reduced inflammation.
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Lens Implant Options
After a cataract is removed, a new lens called an intraocular lens or IOL must be implanted within the eye. The standard Medicare approved lens implant is monofocal and allows for clear vision at only one distance (usually distance vision), requiring patients to wear glasses after their surgery for near distance activities.
At Kung Eye Center we offer our Staten Island and East Brunswick patients premium lens implant options. These IOLs are often only partially covered by Medicare and will involve some out-of-pocket expense, but they allow patients to enjoy a greater range of vision and an active lifestyle with more freedom from reading glasses or bifocals.
Multifocal IOLs: have different levels of power and each power diffracts light differently, offering patients good vision at near and far distances, and can potentially reduce reading glasses or bifocals. These lenses include ReStor by Alcon Tecnis Multifocal, Symfony and Synergy by Johnson & Johnson.
Toric IOLs: are used to correct astigmatism, which is an asymmetric steepening of the cornea that causes light to focus unevenly on the retina. Uncorrected astigmatism can cause blurry or shadowed images. For cataract patients who also have astigmatism, a toric lens may be your best option at freedom from glasses after cataract surgery.
Accommodating IOLs: are designed to mimic the eye’s natural lens. The hinge design of the lens allows it to move using the ciliary muscles inside the eye. This allows the lens to flex and move or accommodate like the natural lens would to focus on single point through a wide range of distances. These lenses include Crystalens by Bausch and Lomb.
Light Adjustable IOL’s: provide the clearest vision after cataract surgery because an ultraviolet light can be used to adjust the power of the IOL after surgery while it’s in the patient’s eye. It can adjust to nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. Patients can see 20/20 after surgery at a rate that is double that of conventional IOL’s.
Trifocal IOLs: are designed to allow patients to see at all distances, including near, intermediate, and distance vision with the greatest depth of spectacle free vision. This technology was FDA approved in 2019 and was developed by Alcon Pharmaceuticals. The Alcon AcrySof IQ PanOptix IntraOcular Lens was the first FDA approved Multifocal IOL and Kung Eye Center with offices in New Jersey and Staten Island was one of the first offices in the country to offer this revolutionary technology.
Patient Testimonials
Dr. Kung on Premium IOLs:
“When patients have cataract surgery, they have options beyond the standard lens implant that Medicare covers. Multifocal, Trifocal, Accommodating and Toric IOLs can be absolutely amazing by reducing or possibly even eliminating the need for glasses, reading glasses and/or bifocals. Patients might still need readers for very small print, such as a medicine bottle, or in a dark restaurant. Besides that, most patients can do most things, most of the time without glasses. Although there is an out-of-pocket expense beyond Medicare coverage, if a patient is a candidate for a premium lens implant, and if it’s something they can afford to do, it’s something they should do, as it will benefit them every waking moment for their rest of their life.”
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Frequently Asked Questions about Lens Implants
Are lens implants safe?
Lens implants are safe. They are even used in children who will have the implants in their eyes for many decades
How do lens implants work?
A lend implant focuses light on to the retina to allow you to see
Can a lens implant be replaced?
Lens implants can be replaced but it is much more difficult to replace an implant than to insert one initially. Please see a surgeon that is experienced in exchanging lens implants
How long do lens implants last?
Lens implants generally will last your entire life as they are placed into children
Does lens replacement improve vision?
In the vast majority of cases, lens replacement will improve your vision
How long does it take for your vision to stabilize after cataract surgery with lens implant?
Most people will stabilize within several weeks after surgery
Does lens replacement surgery hurt?
There is usually very little pain or discomfort with lens replacement surgery
How long does it take to adjust to multifocal lens implants?
Most patients adjust to them within the first several week however, there are patients who can take months before they are comfortable with them
Is lens replacement surgery permanent?
Generally speaking, a patient only needs to undergo lens replacement surgery once and the lens will stay in the patients eye for their lifetime
What lens is best for cataract surgery?
It is best to speak to your surgeon as the number of lens choices has increased with increased technology
What are lens implants made of?
Len implants are made of either acrylic or silicone
Which IOL lens is best?
Each lens has different properties which react differently in each patients eyes so it is best to discuss this with your surgeon
What does a multifocal lens look like?
It is a lens that has rings on it which allow the patient to see multiple distances
Which is better Lasik or lens implant?
Each procedure has its pros and cons so you must discuss this with your surgeon
What happens if the lens moves after cataract surgery?
The direction and magnitude of the shift of the lens can have different optical effects so it is best for you to discuss with your surgeon
Which lens is better monofocal or multifocal?
A monofocal will only allow you to see 1 distance, whereas a multifocal allows you to see multiple distances but the monofocal tends to have fewer visual side effects than the mutifocal
Who can replace lense surgery?
An ophthalmologist can perform lens surgery
Why is my toric lens blurry?
There are many potential reasons that you may be blurry including a rotation or shift of your toric lens. Please see your surgeon to discuss this further
Will I need glasses after lens replacement?
Some patients will need glasses for distance and/or near vision to see as sharp as possible after lens replacement
Will I need glasses after toric lenses?
Some patients will need glasses for distance and/or near vision to see as sharp as possible after toric lens replacement
Which lens will allow me to see the clearest?
There is a Light Adjustable Lens which allows your doctor to adjust the power of your implant while it is in your eye, after surgery to allow you to see the clearest. The implant can be adjusted to give you near vision or far vision. Studies have shown that patients can see 20/20 at twice the rate of normal basic implants
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