Elmhurst Outpatient Center Offers Precision Laser to Treat Cataracts, Astigmatism

With the population aging, the need for cataract surgery is growing rapidly. Elmhurst Outpatient Surgery Center is now offering this burgeoning patient population the Catalys Precision Laser System, a safer and more effective alternative to traditional surgery.

“Baby Boomers are getting older and cataracts are so prevalent among this population,” sais Dr. Sheridan Lam, co-founder of DuPage Ophthalmology, a two-physician practice with offices in Lombard and Darien. “But this population is not slowing down. Many are choosing to work well past the age of 65. Others are retired but they really want to stay active. The typical 85-year-old grandmother today wants to be independent and keep driving. To do all these things, patients need good vision.”

Marcia Simpson, a 73-year-old artist, for example, elected to undergo the laser cataract and astigmatic correction surgery when problems with her sight made it difficult for her to paint for three months. A cataract is an age-related condition in which the lens of the eye becomes progressively cloudy, making vision fuzzy and normal daily living activities more difficult.

“I am so happy now. I can now do close up work so much easier. I can see all the little details in my paintings and I don’t have to take my glasses on and off,” Simpson says. “I can’t believe the difference in colors.  I look at my artwork and just think wow the colors are beautiful. The other day, I was standing in my kitchen looking at my stove and I couldn’t believe how white it looked.”

Simpson’s surgeon relied on the Catalys System’s state-of-the-art femtosecond laser, advanced 3D Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging, sophisticated software and a host of other unique features to provide her with a gentle, customized, precise procedure.

The technology eliminates the manual steps of using a surgical blade, bent needle, forceps or chopper by automating steps, adding greater precision to the cataract procedure and potentially making the surgery safer. The laser technology also enables the surgeon to create accurate incisions at a precise depth, length, location and angle to virtually eliminate astigmatism.

The Catalys laser treatment also offers the opportunity for tailored treatment with advanced technology multi-focal lenses, which could reduce the need for glasses or contacts after surgery.

“The laser technology makes the cataract surgery much safer and more precise,” said Dr. Spero Kinnas, founder of Westchester Eye and Laser Center. “The laser dissolves most of the cataract before I enter the eye. With traditional surgery, I would have to make incisions to break up the cataract and remove it. There was a lot more manipulation. With the laser, the surgery is much quicker, less energy is applied to the eye and the eye doesn’t get as inflamed.”
Here is a list of surgeons offering femtosecond cataract and astigmatism correction surgery at EOSC. For more information about surgery services at EOSC, contact Tina Mentz, Executive Director, at tmentz@eosc.org