Restore Clarity
Enhance Your Quality of Life
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts cloud the eye’s lens, leading to loss of vision and potentially complete blindness if not discovered soon enough and treated appropriately. For most people, cataracts are an unavoidable part of aging as the proteins within the eye’s lens naturally break down over time. Having cataracts is extremely common, and nearly two million people get cataract surgery each year. Because cataracts develop relatively slowly, it is very important to undergo comprehensive eye exams at least every other year to maintain your eye health.
-
Symptoms and Causes
The most noticeable symptom of a cataract is progressively hazy eyesight that fails to sharpen with an individual’s current lens prescription. Additional sight-related symptoms may include limited night vision, noticing more glare or halos and seeing with an overall brownish cast. Cataracts are not physically uncomfortable, so they can be present for many years before they lead to any visual disturbances. On average, cataracts develop between 40 and 50 years of age. Still, many patients do not experience any cataract symptoms before reaching their 60s.
Generally speaking, cataracts are just a normal part of getting older as the proteins that make up the lens of the eye naturally degenerate. This process affects each and every Birmingham, AL resident — but there are lifestyle and health issues that can put you at a higher risk for developing cataracts. Smoking, alcohol use and prolonged exposure to UV rays are all shown to correspond with cataracts. In addition, medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease can exacerbate this issue.
Refractive Cataract Surgery
Refractive cataract surgery goes beyond traditional cataract removal, correcting vision to reduce dependence on glasses or contacts. Under the expert care of Dr. Choi, who specializes in this advanced technique, you will receive the highest standard of care possible.
Get StartedTransform Your Vision
Refractive cataract surgery is a common procedure that utilizes a process known as phacoemulsification (or phaco) to remove cataracts and improve refractive errors. Phaco breaks up the cataract to then replace the damaged lens with a premium, artificial one or an intraocular lens (IOL) to restore vision loss. Traditional techniques and modern IOLs make patients less likely to need contacts or glasses after surgery. Dr. Young H. Choi is pleased to offer cutting-edge refractive cataract surgery to the people of Vestavia Hills, AL and the Greater Birmingham, AL area.
When cataracts are giving you trouble with your vision, refractive cataract surgery at Young H. Choi Eye Surgery Center can often be a helpful solution. This procedure cannot only solve the problem of cataracts but also offers several other benefits for Birmingham, AL patients, including clear, unassisted vision, reduced halos and glares with night vision and an overall increase in quality of life.
-
Who Is Eligible?
Ideal candidates for refractive cataract surgery are those diagnosed with mild to severe cataracts who wish to correct common refractive errors. We recommend this to patients over 40 who want to decrease their dependency on glasses and/or contacts. During your initial consultation with us, Dr. Choi will help you choose which IOL is best for you depending on your visual acuity, overall ocular health and personal preferences.
-
What to Expect
After your surgery at our office in Vestavia Hills, AL, you may experience some mild discomfort and sensitivity to light — but these sensations are normal and will dissipate as your eyes heal and adjust to your new visual acuity. Our office will also provide detailed care instructions to follow at home to ensure optimal healing. We will also want to see you about one to two days after your refractive cataract surgery to ensure your eyes heal properly and test your visual acuity.
Seeing Is Believing:
Hear From Our Patients
Our team, led by the expertise of Dr. Young H. Choi, takes pride in making such profound differences in our patients’ lives, ensuring they receive the best care possible and the vision they deserve.
Request Consultation
Embarking on the journey to clearer vision begins with a simple step: requesting a consultation with Young H. Choi Eye Surgery Center. Our team is dedicated to understanding your unique vision needs and crafting a personalized treatment plan that opens the door to enhanced sight and improved quality of life.
"*" indicates required fields