Laser Cataract Surgery
Semel Vision Care & Aesthetics
Premium Eye Care in El Segundo, Manhattan Beach, & Redondo Beach
About Cataracts
A cataract is a common condition that causes a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, and affects millions of people each year, including more than half of all Americans over the age of 65. Cloudiness develops as a result of a buildup of protein in the lens.
Cataracts cause a progressive, painless loss of vision. The lens clouds naturally as we age, causing people over the age of 65 to see a gradual reduction of vision. However, cataracts are not considered part of the natural aging process and are a serious condition that requires prompt medical attention. The exact cause of cataracts is unknown, although it may be a result of injury, certain medications, illnesses (such as diabetes), prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light and smoking.
Diagnosing Cataracts
Your doctor may perform a series of tests in order to diagnose a cataract. A dilated eye exam will be performed to test the vision and to examine the condition of the lens and other parts of the eye. Your doctor may also perform tonometry, a procedure that measures the pressure in the eye.
Symptoms of Cataracts
Patients with cataracts often do not experience any symptoms when the condition first develops. Cataracts will continue to progress with no apparent pain, although patients may experience:
- \Blurred or hazy vision
- \Double vision
- \Poor vision in bright light
- \Seeing halos around lights
- \Poor vision at night
- \Yellowish tinged vision
- \Frequent changes in eyeglasses or contact lens prescription
Treatment of Cataracts
If visual impairment begins to interfere with your ability to read, work or do the things you enjoy, you may want to consider cataract surgery to restore your vision. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the US, and can be performed quickly and easily with a success rate of over 90 percent and a minimal risk of complications.
After the cloudy lens has been removed, a new artificial lens, or IOL, is implanted in the eye. We utilize state of the art techniques to remove cataracts, and offer several choices in modern intraocular lens implant technology. Dr Semel will recommend the best implant and procedure for you based on your lifestyle preferences.
Surgical Options
When choosing a premium intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery, the first decision revolves around how much independence from glasses you’d like to have after the procedure. If you’re comfortable continuing to wear glasses for all distances, you may opt for a standard IOL. However, if your goal is to reduce your dependence on glasses or contact lenses and achieve better vision without them, a premium IOL may be a better choice. It’s important to note that premium IOLs come with additional costs beyond what insurance covers.
To make an informed decision, it’s essential to understand the three key distances that impact vision:
1. Distance Vision: This includes everything from about 4 feet to infinity, such as driving, watching movies, viewing television, seeing people across the room, reading road signs, and general everyday activities. For most people aiming for less reliance on glasses, achieving clear distance vision is a top priority.
2. Intermediate Vision: This range extends from about 14 inches to 4 feet and is critical for tasks like computer work, looking at car dashboards, reading grocery store shelves, playing cards, eating, and other close-up tasks that aren’t quite as near as reading.
3. Near Vision: This is the close-up vision required for activities like reading, sewing, hobbies, or certain job-related tasks.
The next step in selecting the best IOL involves understanding the unique needs of your eyes, which will be thoroughly discussed during your cataract consultation. By considering your specific visual goals and eye health, we can help you choose the lens that best aligns with your lifestyle and vision preferences.
Ally Adaptive Cataract Treatment System
Dr Semel uses the Catalys Precision Laser System to remove cataracts more safely and to improve vision without glasses after cataract surgery. While traditional methods to remove cataracts are safe and highly successful, the laser adds additional precision and refinement to the procedure.
With the laser approach to cataract surgery, the surgeon creates a precise surgical plan with a sophisticated 3-D image of the eye called an OCT (optical coherence tomography). Laser can optimize the cataract incision to a specific location, depth and length in all planes, minimizing wound complications.
Laser can also optimize capsulotomy, where the front portion of the lens capsule, a very thin and very clear tissue surrounding the natural lens, is removed to gain access to the lens for its gentle removal. The laser, by softening the cataract and breaking it up into smaller segments, uses less energy making the procedure safer and reducing complications.
Finally the laser can reshape the cornea to correct for astigmatism resulting in improved and customized vision after the procedure.
Multifocal Lens Implants
We offer the choice of several different FDA approved lens implant options to reduce your dependency on spectacles. If you are a candidate, Dr Semel can discuss with you the pros and cons of the Tecnis Symfony and Tecnis Multifocal lenses, each of which can be tailored to your lifestyle preference to enhance your functionality.
RxSight™ Light Adjustable Lens
With the RxSight™ Light Adjustable Lens, you and your doctor can now customize your vision after your eye has healed from cataract surgery. This is because the Light Adjustable Lens is made of a special photosensitive material that changes the shape and power of your implanted lens in response to ultraviolet (UV) light. You and your physician will have the unique ability to adjust and preview your vision until it meets your personal desires and lifestyle requirements.
The cataract removal and IOL implantation procedure is the same as if you selected a non-adjustable IOL. Then, in the weeks that follow, your physician will customize your vision through a series of non-invasive light treatments that take only a few minutes each. You may need 3 to 5 total light treatments over a period of 1 to 2 weeks to reach your vision goals. Once your vision is adjusted, a final light treatment is used to lock in the results.
The Light Adjustable Lens delivers superior vision outcomes that non-adjustable IOLs cannot match. In a clinical study, the majority of patients who received the Light Adjustable Lens achieved 20/20 or better vision at 6 months without glasses.
TORIC IOL
Astigmatism
Astigmatism plays a key role in this discussion. It occurs when the eye is not perfectly round, but rather shaped more like a football or the back of a spoon. This irregular shape causes blurred vision at all distances, creating a need for corrective glasses. If the goal is to achieve clear distance vision without glasses—even for tasks like reading a distance target—reducing astigmatism will be an important part of the process.
During your cataract consultation, we will measure and discuss the level of astigmatism and explore options for correction. For higher degrees of astigmatism, a toric intraocular lens (IOL) may be recommended. This type of lens is specially designed to align with the eye’s existing astigmatism and can significantly improve vision by correcting it.
For smaller amounts of astigmatism, we may be able to address this with the help of a femtosecond laser during the cataract surgery. The laser allows us to make precise incisions in the cornea, reducing astigmatism and potentially improving vision without glasses.
While there are additional fees for toric lenses and the femtosecond laser, these advanced options offer a better chance of achieving optimal vision after cataract surgery, potentially reducing or eliminating the need for glasses.
Mutifocals
Presbyopia is a natural, age-related condition that typically begins in the 40s and results in the need for different optical corrections for distance, intermediate, and near vision. For individuals without cataracts who are neither nearsighted nor farsighted, this often means using reading glasses. Others may rely on progressive lenses, separate glasses for reading, distance, and computer use, or various contact lens options.
After cataract surgery, however, there are a variety of intraocular lens (IOL) options, along with advanced laser technologies, that can potentially reduce the need for glasses across all three vision ranges: distance, intermediate, and near. These options offer the potential for a more flexible and less glasses-dependent lifestyle post-surgery.
iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent:
A Revolutionary Solution for Glaucoma and Cataract Treatment
The iStent Trabecular Micro-Bypass Stent is the smallest FDA-approved medical device ever implanted in the human body—20,000 times smaller than the intraocular lens (IOL) used in cataract surgery. It works similarly to stents used in heart procedures by helping restore normal fluid flow, but in this case, it’s designed to help manage eye pressure in patients with glaucoma.
Possible Complications Following Cataract Surgery
Here is an overview of the typical risks and complications associated with cataract surgery. Please note that individual risks can vary based on the unique characteristics of your eyes, and we will discuss your specific risks in detail during your cataract consultation.
General Complication Rate: The overall risk of complications from cataract surgery is around 2%. However, each patient’s risks may be different, so it’s important to pay attention during your consultation to understand if you have any specific risks that might be higher than average.
Specialty Surgical Center
Specialty Surgical Center is our advanced, state-of-the-art facility dedicated exclusively to ophthalmic surgery. As a single-specialty center, we focus entirely on eye care, providing you with the latest technological innovations in a comfortable, outpatient setting.
The center boasts seven fully equipped surgical suites, each featuring cutting-edge technology to ensure the highest standard of eye surgery. Among our world-class equipment are three femtosecond lasers—Ally, Catalys, and Lensx—making us one of the few centers globally with this advanced capability to assist in cataract surgery. We also use Phacoemulsification machines, intraocular aberrometry, Zeiss microscopes, and other specialized tools to deliver the most precise and effective procedures.
But beyond our technology, what truly distinguishes our center is our highly skilled and compassionate team. Our surgical technicians, nurses, and staff are all deeply committed to providing you with exceptional care and a seamless surgical experience. We prioritize your comfort and well-being, ensuring you feel supported every step of the way.
We look forward to welcoming you to the Specialty Surgical Center, where advanced technology and expert care come together to offer you the best possible outcome for your eye surgery.
About Dr. Semel
Board-Certified El Segundo Ophthalmologist
Dr. Jane Semel is skilled, respected, and board-certified and fellowship trained in Ophthalmology, and is licensed to practice in the state of California. She specializes in the treatment and prevention of eye disease.
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