U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, recently announced the “Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers” ratings of outpatient surgical centers. Among the 198 ambulatory surgery centers named across the country, Columbia Eye Surgery Center is one of only six ophthalmic ambulatory surgery centers named in South Carolina and the only named in the Midlands area.

Ambulatory surgery centers were evaluated based entirely on objective, risk-adjusted measures of their patients’ outcomes, including how successfully they avoided complications, ER visits, unplanned hospitalizations, and other undesirable outcomes. 

U.S. News awards the designation of “Best Ambulatory Surgery Centers” only to the highest-rated surgical centers that satisfy U.S. News’ statistical assessment of performance; fewer than 15% of evaluated facilities earned a “High Performing” rating.

U.S. News & World Report is the global leader in quality rankings that empower consumers, business leaders and policy officials to make better, more informed decisions about important issues affecting their lives and communities.

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A cataract is a vision impairment resulting from a cloudiness of the lens in the eye that prevents light from being focused clearly. Most people have some clouding of their lenses by age 60.

Surgery is the only treatment option for cataracts and is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. During surgery, your cloudy lens is removed and an intraocular lens (IOL) is implanted and becomes a permanent part of your eye. Columbia Eye Clinic offers the latest advancements in lens implants and surgical procedure options to create a custom experience for every cataract patient.

There are many fantastic IOL options to correct nearsightedness, fiarsghtedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia–age-related inability to focus at near distances—that can reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses, even if you have had them for most of your life. Your surgeon will recommend a lens during your consultation visit based on your particular visual needs, including your hobbies, activities, lifestyle, and pre-existing eye conditions such as glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Patients who choose a monofocal IOL may need glasses for some or all distances. Monofocal IOLs are set to provide your best uncorrected vision at one focal point. Many people who choose a monofocal IOL have it set it for distance vision and use reading glasses for near activities. On the other hand, a person whose IOLs are set to correct near vision would need glasses to see distant objects clearly.

Monofocal IOLs can also be set for monovision, which is distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other eye. If you are considering monovision, your ophthalmologist may suggest trying this technique with contact lenses first to see how well you can adapt. If you require crisp, detailed vision, monovision may not be the best approach for you.

Multifocal IOLs utilize advanced technology and offer a series of focal zones or rings built into the IOL. Depending on where light focuses through the zones, you may be able to see distance, intermediate and near objects clearly. The ability to read and perform other tasks without glasses varies from person to person but it is generally best when multifocal IOLs are placed in both eyes.

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your cornea. Laser cataract surgery enables the physician to correct certain amounts of regular astigmatism to reduce your need for glasses. Astigmatism correcting IOLs can also be used to help decrease the dependence upon glasses. Monofocal IOLs that correct astigmatism allow you to see without glasses at one distance. With this option, you may still rely on glasses for some activities. Some multifocal IOLs can also correct astigmatism.

Most insurance, including Medicare, cover the traditional procedure after deductibles and copays/coinsurances are met.  You may pay out of pocket for laser cataract surgery and for a premium lens.

Contact us at (803) 779-3070 to schedule an appointment for a cataract consultation at any of our four conveniently located offices.

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Why do I have cataracts? Patients often wonder why their vision has become cloudy, their eyes are sensitive to light, they have difficulty seeing at night, see faded colors, and their glasses don’t seem to work anymore. Over your lifetime, the natural lenses inside your eyes become cloudy and prevent light from being focused clearly. It may seem like these changes in your vision happened overnight, but because cataracts form gradually, you probably didn’t notice them.

Cataracts are part of the natural aging process and most people have some clouding of their lenses by age 60. Cataracts can develop more quickly in patients with uncontrolled diabetes, who have had a trauma to the eye, or have used oral or topical steroids for extended periods of time.

Cataract surgery to remove your clouded natural lens and replace it with a lens implant is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the United States. You should have very little pain after surgery. You will need to observe a few precautions during the first week or so after surgery to avoid developing an infection or sustaining an injury to your eye while it heals, but should be able to resume most of your normal activities within a day or two. In most cases, your eye should be completely healed and your recovery complete in about a month.

Cataract surgery has been shown to significantly improve vision and quality of life for patients who undergo the procedure. Many patients are able to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts after cataract surgery. We offer a host of the latest advancements in lens implants and surgical procedure options to create a custom experience for you.

Call (803) 779-3070 to schedule a cataract consultation at our conveniently located Downtown Columbia location.

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