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surgical eye care

Cataract Surgery

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life.

Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition. This common surgery has a high success rate, with over 95% of all cataract surgeries free of even mild complications.

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Cataracts are one of the leading causes of vision loss in people aged 65 or older. This condition develops as the eye ages, meaning that by the time we reach 80, more than half of us will have developed a cataract or will have undergone cataract surgery.

Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens in your eye which is normally transparent. The lens, located inside the eye, behind the iris and the pupil, focuses light onto the retina at the back of your eye, where it is converted to nerve signals that are passed to the brain, thus enabling you to see.

When your lens becomes cloudy, the images projected onto your retina become blurry and unfocused and therefore the signal to the brain is also unclear.

cataract eye crossection.png
happy senior woman using smartphone.png

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts are part of the natural aging process of the eye. While the majority of cases develop in old age, there are instances of congenital cataracts, present at birth. Further, secondary or traumatic cataracts can occur at any age as a result of eye injury, surgery, or disease.

Certain medical, genetic, and behavioral risk factors can also accelerate its development, such as diabetes, a family history of cataracts, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Symptoms of a cataract may develop slowly at first, or may not even be noticeable.

The most common symptoms include:

  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

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When To Consider Cataract Surgery?

Cataracts don’t suddenly develop overnight. They generally start off small and only begin to noticeably affect your vision as they grow. You should consider getting cataract surgery once the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to:

  • Read
  • Drive
  • Play golf or tennis
  • Watch TV
  • Recognize faces

Surgery should also be considered if it’s preventing the treatment of another eye problem, such as glaucoma. The good news is that cataract surgery successfully restores vision in the vast majority of cases.

Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery, a relatively quick and painless procedure, is one of the most common surgeries performed in North America.

This surgery involves removing the clouded natural lens and replacing it with a clear, plastic intraocular lens (IOL) that becomes a permanent part of the eye.

IOLs are usually made of plastic and most of them are monofocal lenses or single power lenses to correct for distance vision. As technology advances, specialized IOLs continue to be developed. From multifocal IOLs to IOLs that block UV and blue light radiation, patients have greater options available to them now than ever before.

If you or a loved one has cataracts and would like more information on cataract surgery, please contact our team of eye care professionals today.

Learn more about Surgical Services

Call Us 662-269-0996

Wesson and Mothershed Eye Center serves patients from:

Tupelo | New Albany | Saltillo | Fulton | and throughout Mississippi

Close-up of eye, illustration of Cataract Surgery


How Much Does Cataract Surgery Cost In Tupelo, Mississippi

The costs of cataract surgery in Tupelo, Mississippi depend on various factors, such as eye health, age, medical history, or past eye surgery. A primary factor, however, depends on your health insurance plan through Medicaid, Medicare, or even private medical insurance.





Other Common Cost Factors Include
  • The type of technology used during surgery.
  • The type of intraocular lens (IOL) implanted in the eye during the surgery.
  • The years of experience, skill, and competency of the cataract surgeon.

Fortunately, the majority of cataract surgery procedures carried out in the U.S. are either partially or fully covered by medical insurance. This is to help the patient save on the overall cost of the procedure and help people get back to their daily lives. Cataract surgery is categorized as a medically necessary procedure.


Affordable Or Low Cost Cataract Surgery in Tupelo

Patients who are relying solely on their medical insurance will likely opt for cataract surgery at the lowest cost. The industry standard for a low-cost cataract surgery is to replace the natural lens with a monofocal intraocular lens (IOL), which often requires little to no added cost. A monofocal lens will often correct either nearsightedness or farsightedness in the patient. The patient may only be required to pay their deductible and/or co-payments as specified in their insurance policy.

However, for patients seeking to improve their vision further, opting for a presbyopia-correcting IOL or a premium Toric IOL for astigmatism will require that patients pay the additional cost incurred as a result of these advanced techniques. However, the benefits are well worth the added costs.


Determining The Cost Of Cataract Surgery Without Insurance

While most patients who undergo cataract surgery in Tupelo, Mississippi have some form of medical insurance, a patient without insurance will need to pay the cost out-of-pocket. Fortunately, a number of payment plans and options for monthly options are nearly always available through the clinic or a 3rd party creditor.

Similarly, some patients who aren’t candidates for LASIK can elect for a quasi-cataract surgery procedure referred to as refractive lens exchange (RLE).

The refractive lens exchange procedure is carried out the same way as cataract surgery. The only difference is that the natural lens of the eye which is removed in RLE is not yet clouded like that of cataract. The natural lens of the eye will be replaced with an IOL. A refractive lens exchange like any cataract surgery will help correct eye defects such as near or farsightedness. Thus, reducing patient’s dependence on eyeglasses or contacts.

The refractive lens exchange procedure with a standard monofocal IOL implant costs the same amount as cataract surgery. Plus, a procedure that uses a Toric IOL for astigmatism or presbyopia-correcting IOL will increase the cost of the surgery as well.


Cost Of "Out-Of-Pocket" Cataract Surgery With Insurance

“Out-Of-Pocket” expenses for cataract surgery can also refer to any additional costs of the procedure, which may not even be covered by your medical insurance policy. Medical insurance covers procedures that are medically necessary, but any product or add-on involved might not be considered as medically necessary, which means, no coverage.





What's Covered?

For instance, implanting a standard monofocal IOL during cataract surgery would be considered medically necessary because it is the standard of eye care. Since the natural lens of the eye is removed during the procedure, there is a need to replace it with an artificial lens. If not, your vision may not be restored.





Vision Correction, Covered?

Your visual acuity will vary based on the type of IOL you use. Standard monofocal IOL gives patients excellent distant vision, but only for one distance — near vision or distance vision. This type of vision correction is usually covered by insurance, but when patients opt for both, better near & distance vision, patients may need a premium IOL that carries an out-of-pocket expense.

Alternatively, when a standard monofocal IOL is used for patients that have astigmatism before their cataract surgery, they will still require prescription eyeglasses to correct their astigmatism after the cataract surgery. But, if the patient wants an IOL that corrects their astigmatism, it's up to their insurance provider to decide if that's a medical necessity or an additional out-of-pocket expense.





Premium IOLs, Covered?

When patients want to be able to see without using any eyeglasses or contact lenses, premium IOLs are the clear way to go. Advancements in the intraocular lens and surgical technology has allowed patients to experience clear vision at near and far regardless of their age and prior visual sharpness.

Premium IOLs often lead to additional costs that are not covered by medical insurance, yet their benefits are permanent and effective.

Why continue to wear prescription eyeglasses or contacts after cataract surgery? The one-time additional cost from advanced procedures for cataract surgery may be a suitable alternative that can be budgeted effectively.

Man being evaluated for cataract surgery


Why Won’t Medical Insurance Cover These Advanced Procedures?

Medical insurance only covers cataract surgery because a person can end up blind without the surgery, so it's considered medically necessary. However, any advanced cataract surgery procedure (like a premium IOL) can be argued:





Other Options

While less convenient than a premium IOL, medical insurance providers argue that a patient can simply wear reading glasses to see up close. If they want a premium IOL or multifocal IOL for better near vision, that's an added expense.





Vision Correction Isn't The Problem

Medical insurance, in general, doesn't cover vision correction. Patients who wear eyeglasses and contacts already know that to see well that they must pay for their eyewear. Or, they use their vision insurance to cover these costs. So, just like in eyewear, health insurance policies will not cover advanced cataract surgeries that merely correct your vision further.





Premium IOLs Are Like LASIK

Laser vision correction does provide a permanent solution for myopia or presbyopia. However, almost the entire cost is out-of-pocket. This is due to the fact that LASIK surgery is considered an elective procedure, thus, medically unnecessary. The same goes for any premium IOL.

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About Advanced Cataract Surgery Procedures & Premium IOLs





Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs

Presbyopia-correcting IOLs are advanced intraocular lenses that can help expand your range of vision. The lenses are very effective at correcting your farsightedness caused by presbyopia. You can see clearly and read prints without using reading glasses! Examples of presbyopia-correcting IOLs include multifocal IOLs and accommodating IOLs.





Toric IOLs

Toric IOLs are intraocular lenses that correct astigmatism. Astigmatism often makes our vision less crisp or even blurry. After correcting an astigmatism through a Toric IOL, patients will experience clearer vision that they never had from eyeglasses!

Often, patients post cataract surgery will be able to perform activities such as driving, operating the computer, reading books, and sports.An astigmatic patient who chooses to use a monofocal IOL may require eyeglasses if they have a severe astigmatism as their vision will remain blurry.





Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

This advanced procedure is often referred to as laser cataract surgery. In the procedure, a femtosecond laser is used instead of the manual surgical tools that are used in typically cataract surgery.

The procedure relies on a similar approach as LASIK. Laser cataract surgery also helps in reducing the stress on the retina and other delicate eye tissues while the cataract is being extracted. Laser cataract surgery is usually performed after implanting a premium astigmatism-correcting or presbyopia-correcting IOL. The additional cost of the procedure can be included in the cost of the premium IOL.





Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI)

LRI, also called corneal relaxing incisions, is a supplemental surgical procedure which is used to correct astigmatism.

The procedure is performed during cataract surgery. During the procedure, the eye surgeon makes one or more small, arc-shaped incisions in the periphery of the cornea. This will help the cornea to form a spherical shape while the incisions heal.





Laser Arcuate Incisions

The minor surgical procedure is similar to Limbal Relaxing Incisions (LRI). The only difference is that a femtosecond laser is used to make the incisions instead of a hand-held surgical tool.

senior woman posing for ad, Cataract Surgery


Standard Medicare & Health Insurance Coverage For Cataract Surgery

Medicare coverage is very straightforward when the procedure is uncomplicated. Reimbursements are paid directly to the eye surgeon or surgical center. For cataract surgery, medical insurance providers usually follow the standard coverage given by Medicare to determine which charges that will be covered.

However, reimbursements from private medical insurance usually vary widely. It depends on your copay as well as the annual deductible of your insurance policy. A patient may be required to pay other related costs which may not be associated directly with the cataract procedure.





For Example, The Patient May Need To Pay About 20% Of The Following Types Of Fees
  • An EKG to determine your heart health before the procedure can be carried out.
  • A comprehensive eye exam. This may include precise measurements to determine the extent of the refractive errors in your eye.
  • Costs that will be charged by the person administering the anesthesia. This can be the nurse anesthetist or anesthesiologist.
  • The cost of standard prescription eyeglasses that will be used to improve near vision after the surgical procedure.
  • Any follow-up procedures or medical care as a result of any complication in the cataract surgery that occurs after the standard 90-day period set aside for postoperative care.




An Excellent Example Of A Common Complication Is Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO)

This is a situation whereby the residual membrane left in the eye will become clouded after the cataract surgery. You may need a YAG laser capsulotomy procedure to fix this and restore your clear vision. The procedure will cost about a few hundred dollars.





Questions For Your Insurance Provider

Before you have the cataract surgery, it is advisable to speak in-depth with your insurance provider. Some of the questions you may consider asking include:

  • Ask about copays, eyewear coverage, deductibles, pre-surgery approvals and other details.
  • How much is the copay?
  • How much is the deductible?
  • Does your plan also cover eyeglasses?
  • Is there any particular arrangement with between the insurance company and the cataract surgeon?
  • Does the insurance company have a preferred provider of cataract surgical procedure?
  • If your eye surgeon is not "preferred," does your insurance company need to approve the surgeon before the procedure can be covered?
  • Will the insurance company need advance approval to determine whether the procedure is medically necessary?

Ensure that the insurance company provides suitable and satisfactory answers to all your questions and concerns. With this, you will be able to understand how much will be covered by your insurance policy.

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Serving Patients From:

Tupelo | New Albany | Saltillo | Fulton | and the state of Mississippi

Eyelid Surgery
Blepharoplasty Surgery
In Tupelo, Mississippi

Eyelid Surgery Is Either Cosmetic Or Medical

Blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery is a surgical procedure that reduces any “puffy eyes” or bagginess from lower eyelids. The surgery aims to improve the appearance of the eyelids and can be performed on either the upper or lower eyelids or both. Although eyelid surgery is more common in older patients, younger patients who have excessive skin around their eyelids often take advantage of this procedure.

Blepharoplasty generally is done for cosmetic reasons, yet the procedure effectively improves older people’s vision when their sagging upper eyelids are disrupting their vision. Eyelid surgery or eye lift is an effective way to remove excess skin around the eyes. However, blepharoplasty will not address any facial wrinkles, crow’s feet, or dark circles underneath eye unless associated with laser resurfacing, filler injections, or forehead lift.

Elderly woman after blepharoplasty

For more information about blepharoplasty, call our office today to schedule an eyelid surgical consultation.

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Your Oculoplastic Surgeon & Blepharoplasty Surgery

Our oculoplastic surgeons, , will administer medications and local anesthesia for the surgery. During the procedure, incision lines are designed by your surgeon to conceal any scars from the surgery to fit the natural structures of your eyelid.

In most cases, the oculoplastic surgeon can remove or reposition fat deposits, tighten muscles, and/or remove excess skin through the incision made in your upper eyelid. The incision for lower eyelids is hidden just below the lower lashes to ensure scarring is close to invisible. Most incisions are closed with sutures or skin glue and sutures can be removed within a week. Some surgeons may incorporate laser or chemical peel to reduce discoloration of the lower eyelids.

For A Consultation For Blepharoplasty And Other Eyelid Conditions, Feel Free To Call Or Schedule Online

After Blepharoplasty Surgery

A patient after surgery may experience bruising and swelling around the eyelids. However, once these effects subside, the skin around the eyelid will be smoother, well-defined, and bring a younger, rejuvenated appearance.

Candidacy For Eyelid Surgery

Candidates in relatively good health and have realistic expectations are the ideal candidate for the surgery. It’s important to discuss with an oculoplastic surgeon blepharoplasty can help you address baggy eyelids for droopy eyelids. In general, patients are usually over the age of 35.

Realistic Expectations After An Eyelid Surgery Or Blepharoplasty

Upper eyelid surgery often lasts a number of years and lower eyelid surgery where they need to be repeated. Results vary based on what age the surgery is first performed. If your eyelids are affecting your vision and you feel it is a medical necessity, schedule an eye exam with one of our that I doctors. If during an eye exam, the eye doctor confirms that your eyelids are a medical issue, your medical insurance may provide coverage.

Complications After Eyelid Surgery

Complications after eyelid surgery are very rare, but there are symptoms that can develop post-eyelid surgery

  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Dry eyes
  • An abnormal coloring of the eyelids
  • Eyelid skin that folds in or out abnormally
  • Inability to close eyes completely
  • A pulled-down lower lid lash line
  • Loss of vision

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Serving Patients From:

Tupelo | New Albany | Saltillo | Fulton | and the state of Mississippi

Ectropion Surgery
In Tupelo, Mississippi

Mother looking at daughter after ectropion surgery

What Is Ectropion? | Ectropion Surgery In Tupelo, Mississippi

close-up of woman's eye, illustration of ectropion surgery

Ectropion refers to an eye condition where an individual’s eyelid turns outward. As a result, the inner eyelid surface is exposed and susceptible to irritation. Usually, the lower lid is involved when it comes to ectropion and will often feature an element of horizontal lid laxity. When the eyelid margin turns outward from the eye, the condition is known as ectropion. Some complications or cornea damage may result when there is no normal eye movement include tearing, corneal scarring, or even loss of vision.

has successfully treated numerous ectropion patients. Through advanced technology, expertise, and the caring hand of our oculoplastic surgeon, our team of eye care professionals, patients with ectropion can find relief and restore their beautiful eyes back to normal.

Treating ectropion often requires surgery, as do many eyelid conditions, and finding an oculoplastic surgeon in Tupelo, who knows the delicate balance between beauty and medicine is essential.

older woman suffering from ectropion

Who Is At Risk For Ectropion?

Older adults are at higher risk for ectropion, and the condition usually affects the lower eyelids. In a severe situation, the entire eyelid’s length is turned outward. In milder cases, only a segment of an individual’s eyelid will droop away from the eye.

Main Types Of Ectropion

medical-plus 1- Cicatricial

The shortening of the eyelid is the cause of cicatricial ectropion. The anterior lamella or eyelid comprises of the orbicularis muscle and skin. The orbicularis is the muscle around each orbit that is responsible for closing the eye.

medical-plus 2- Involutional

The cause of involutional ectropion is increased horizontal laxity of an individual’s lower eyelid.

medical-plus 3- Paralytic

The cause of paralytic ectropion is decreased orbicularis muscle tone that supports the lower eyelid.

medical-plus 4- Mechanical

The cause of mechanical ectropion is the displacement of the lower eyelid by a tumor.

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Symptoms And Complications of Ectropion

Symptoms Of Ectropion?

Usually, when you blink, the eyelids distribute tears across your eyes in an even manner, so that the eyes’ surfaces are lubricated. However, when ectropion is present, the tears will drain into tiny openings on your eyelids’ inner section called the puncta.

As there is no proper drainage of tears into the puncta, patients with ectropion can often experience the following signs and symptoms:

  • Watery eyes or excess tearing — When there’s absence of proper drainage, tears may gather and flow over the eyelids constantly.
  • Irritation — You can experience eyes irritation due to dryness or stagnant tears. Consequently, you will experience redness and burning sensation in both your eyelids and white part of your eyes.
  • Excessive dryness — You may experience sandy, gritty or dry feeling in your eyes when ectropion is present.
  • Light sensitivity — The surface of the cornea can become irritated from dry eyes or stagnant tears, resulting in sensitivity to light.

Complications From Ectropion

Your cornea will become exposed and irritated from ectropion, making you increasingly prone to dryness. This can result in ulcers and abrasions on the cornea and may threaten your vision.

What Causes Ectropion?

Primarily, the cause of ectropion is weak muscle or tissue relaxation that naturally occurs when an individual is aging. Ectropion risk factors can include:

Muscle Weakness

The muscles underneath the eyes are prone to weakening as you age, and the stretching out of the tendon will occur. These are the tendons and muscles that support the eyelid taut against the eye. The eyelid will start drooping when these tendons and muscles become weak. For example, Bell’s palsy is a condition that destroys the nerves responsible for controlling facial muscles. This condition is a form of facial paralysis.

Scars Or Earlier Surgeries

When an individual’s skin is damaged as a result of trauma or burns (e.g. a severe bite) the manner in which the person’s eyelid rests against the eyes can be affected. Also, having a blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) previously can result in ectropion, especially if the surgery removed a substantial amount of skin. Prior eye injuries or burns resulting in scarred tissue, as well as skin cancer or growths on the eyelid, also increase the risk for ectropion.

Facial Paralysis

Some conditions, such as specific tumors or Bell’s palsy, can lead to paralysis of an individual’s facial muscles and nerves. If the paralysis affects the eyelid muscles, it could result to ectropion.

Genetic Disorders

Ectropion is rarely congenital (present at birth), yet ectropion is often linked with down syndrome and other genetic disorders.

Age

Weakening muscle tissue linked to aging is the most common cause of the condition.

Are You Looking For An Oculoplastic Surgeon In Tupelo, Mississippi To Treat Your Ectropion?

If your eyes are constantly irritated or watering or if it appears your eyelids are drooping, schedule an appointment at to meet with our oculoplastic surgeon, .

Relief & Treatment – Eyelid Surgery In Tupelo, Mississippi

Lubricating ointments and artificial tears can aid in the relief of ectropion symptoms. However, oculoplastic surgery is often necessary to completely correct the condition.

After the surgery, healing requires up to two weeks until one returns to their regular activities. Oculoplastic surgery to treat ectropion is highly effective and safe. Recurrence occasionally happens after many years, yet the vast majority are successful and permanent.

For a consultation for oculoplastic surgery about entropion or other eyelid conditions, feel free to call or schedule online.

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Serving Patients From:

Tupelo | New Albany | Saltillo | Fulton | and the state of Mississippi

Close-up of eye- Illustration of Entropion Surgery

Entropion Surgery
In Tupelo, Mississippi

What Is Entropion?

Certain eye conditions can affect the actual eye surface or the cornea. However, oculoplasty treats medical conditions that affect areas around the eye, such as the skin or eyelids. A medical condition called entropion is often surgically treated by an oculoplastic surgeon. At Wesson and Mothershed Eye Center, our oculoplastic surgeon, our team of eye care professionals, has extensive knowledge and expertise in treating and surgically correcting entropion and other eyelid conditions.

Entropion is when the eyelid, usually the lower lid, folds inward, while ectropion is when the lower lid folds outward. When an eyelid folds inward, the eyelashes and/or eyelid will rub against the inside of the eye and possibly cornea causing irritation & discomfort. When left untreated, scarring of the eyelid or cornea or possibly nerve damage may occur. Entropion can affect both eyes simultaneously, but most cases of entropion affect one eyelid at a time. This condition is more prevalent in women and people above the age of 60.

Close-up of eye with entropion

Entropion Surgery in Tupelo, Mississippi

What Are The Symptoms Of Entropion?

Woman with Mild Case Of Entropion

Mild Cases Of Entropion Show These Symptoms

  • Mild eye pain
  • Redness & inflammation around the eye
  • Light & wind Sensitivity
  • Sagging skin around the eye
  • A feeling that something is in the eye
  • Epiphora (excessive tearing or watery eyes)

When faced with any of these symptoms, one should seek an eye doctor for an evaluation of their eye health. Immediate care should be consulted to treat severe cases of entropion. Call our practice to schedule a consultation with Ophthalmologist Name.

Patients all across Beyond such as Somewhere, Here, There and Everywhere have achieved successful outcomes giving them immediate relief.

middle aged Woman with Symptoms Associated With Severe Entropion

Symptoms Associated With Severe Entropion Can Include

  • Decreased vision, especially if the cornea is damaged
  • Mucous discharge and eyelid crusting
  • Rapidly increasing redness in your eyes
  • Increased levels of eye pain

Entropion that rubs against the cornea can result in a corneal injury and likely vision loss. The best way to prevent entropion from causing a cornea injury is to seek an eye doctor early.

Any abnormal signs around the eye, such as eye pain, discomfort around the eye, or redness & inflammation are often covered by medical insurance.

While entropion may resemble symptoms of dry eye disease, you may be at higher risk for entropion depending on your medical history.

Elderly couple enjoying life after entropion surgery

Which Medical Factors Cause Entropion?

  • From birth or congenital
  • Entropion is associated with aging. (loose skin or ligaments and muscles that were stretched and loosened.)
  • Scarring or previous surgery
  • Past burns around the eye or trauma
  • Spasm
  • Untreated Inflammation
  • Trachoma (An eye infection that can scar the inner eyelid.)

Entropion is treated through a relatively basic surgery that removes excess skin around the eyelid, and occasionally tendons and muscles are shortened as well. Your oculoplastic surgeon will evaluate the health of your eyes and share with you the process of the surgery as well as recovery. In addition, your eye doctor may recommend artificial tears prior to surgery to help protect your eyes.

For a consultation for oculoplastic surgery about entropion or other eyelid conditions, feel free to call or schedule online.

(662) 269-0996

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Serving Patients From:

Tupelo | New Albany | Saltillo | Fulton | and the state of Mississippi

About the Tecnis Symfony Lens

Senior couple beach bicyclePart of cataract surgery includes the replacement of your natural lens by a cataract surgeon, such as our team of eye care professionals with an artificial intraocular lens. Wesson and Mothershed Eye Center offers the latest in eye care technology with premium intraocular lenses, such as the Tecnis Symfony Lens, for heightened levels of vision for patients with poor near and far vision.

Monofocal lenses help our patients see either well up near or far but not at both distances. For patients who want to see well at near and far distances, presbyopia based intraocular lenses (IOLS) or multifocal IOLs are recommended. The focal points of multifocal lenses, where your vision gets into focus, will depend on the type of multifocal used.

The Symfony lens is a presbyopia intraocular that provides an extended depth of focus with enhanced color contrast for amazing visual quality. While monofocal lenses can leave patients with some visual disturbances like floaters, glare, haloes, or lack of clarity, the Tecnis Symfony lens brings your eyesight into greater focus, color contrast, and low levels of visual disturbances.

The Symfony design uses an echelette design (a blazed grating or ridged surface) to extend the depth of focus. The echelette design transmits the light passing through the lens to converge at more than one focal point far more than multifocal lenses. This results in over 1 more diopter of precision vision. Plus, an echelette design creates an elongated focus into the eye, which reduces the amount of glare and haloes caused by lack of focus. The Symfony lens is often chosen for safer nighttime driving and crisper vision.

Plus, the surface of the Symfony lens uses achromatic technology, which corrects chromatic aberration. Chromatic aberration is a result of wavelengths of color going out sync, which can lead to blur or lack of focus. Through the achromatic surface, the various wavelengths of color are able to meet at the back of the retina, at the optic nerve, providing seamless vision for precision and excellent visual contrast.

For more information about the Tecnis Symfony lens, contact our office in Tupelo, today.

artist drawing after getting IOL

Our Tupelo, Mississippi Eye Surgeons Answer:
What Is An IOL?

An IOL or intraocular lens Is a medical device implanted in the eye to replace the eye's natural lens. When the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded from cataracts, cataract surgery is performed in order to remove the clouded lens. Cataract surgery replaces the natural lens with an artificial lens to provide clear vision and improved color contrast. Vision correction through the use of IOLs can also be categorized as a refractive lens exchange.

Through the combination of modern medicine and advanced micro technology, artificial intraocular lenses have achieved amazing results for patients with high nearsightedness (myopia), farsightedness (presbyopia), and even astigmatism. For many patients in Tupelo, Mississippi, cataract surgery has improved visual accuracy and precision to that which they experienced in their youth.

What Kinds Of IOLs Are There? How Are They Different?

Woman with monofocal iol

Monofocal IOL

Monofocal IOLs are the default choice for standard cataract surgeries across Tupelo, Mississippi. They allow for a single vision correction, which can correct either nearsightedness or farsightedness. Although monofocals do provide better visual acuity after the surgery, and the removal of cataracts helps with color contrast, monofocal IOLs are the fallback option for patients on a particular budget or with overall good vision.

Although the eye’s natural shape is aspheric, which means not completely circular, the standard aphakic monofocal is used. Sometimes, however, an aspheric monofocal IOL for patients is used to help patients achieve better visual quality. This decision is best left up to your cataract surgeon.
Brands of monofocal IOLs:

  • Tecnis Aspheric (Abbott Medical Optics)
  • AcrySof IQ (Alcon)
  • SofPort AO (Bausch + Lomb)
  • Softec HD (Lenstec)

Patients who require prescription eyeglasses or reading glasses post cataract surgery are often those who opted for a monofocal intraocular lens. While monofocal IOLs are the starting point or default choice for a cataract surgeon, discussing all of the options with a cataract surgeon in Tupelo, Mississippi is recommended.

Man with premium iol

Premium IOL

Alternatively, there are premium IOLs targeted for more advanced vision correction for those who want to drop prescription eyeglasses altogether. Premium IOLs correct vision for patients with a blend of nearsightedness and farsightedness. A typical presbyope often requires standard prescription eyeglasses to see at a distance, such as driving, as well as a pair of reading glasses for close-up work.

Whether you’re the type of patient with progressive eyeglasses or multifocal contact lenses, a multifocal IOL or accommodative IOL can be the ideal solution for your vision.

Man with multifocal IOLs

Multifocal Lenses

Multifocal Lenses-Clear Vision Without Glasses

Multifocal premium IOLs like ReSTOR or Tecnis multifocal lenses offer the range of close, far, and intermediate distances without requiring extra pairs of glasses or contacts, and the brain eventually will learn to cope and focus as needed. While these premium lenses aren’t as advanced as an accommodating lens, they do offer similar benefits as well as clear vision in various lighting conditions.

Multifocal IOLs correct farsightedness and nearsightedness. Depending on the needs of the patient, a multifocal IOL can become an opportunity to improve one’s vision and even avoid the need for reading glasses or progressive lenses. The two most commonly used brands of multifocal IOLs:

  • Acrysof IQ ReSTOR IOL
  • Tecnis Multifocal IOL

Acrysof IQ ReSTOR

The Acrysof IQ ReSTOR multifocals received FDA approval back in 2005 and have become a staple for cataract surgeries to help patients achieve clear vision at intermediate, far, and up close distances.

Would you do it again? More than 93 percent of patients after an Acrysof IQ ReSTOR multifocal IOL implant said they would have the same procedure performed. Not all surgeries carry such remarkable satisfactory rate!

Tecnis Multifocal IOL

Approved by the FDA since 2009, the Tecnis Multifocal IOL also offers patients clear vision under all lighting conditions, regardless of pupil size, for all distances!

Nearly 90% of patients who opted for the Tecnis Multifocal IOLs are free of eyeglasses or contact lenses after their cataract surgery.

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Pros & Cons For Premium IOLs

For the most part, patients who opt for a multifocal IOL will find that their vision adjusts naturally. Patients who lived with their clouded, cataract covered lens with poor color contrast for years will find the issues with multifocal IOLs mild and easy to handle.

Convenience

Premium IOLs take away the hassle of juggling multiple pairs of eyeglasses or daily maintenance of contact lens cleaning & replacement. The premium IOL creates a permanent correction for a patient’s nearsightedness and farsightedness.

An IOL gives a patient clear eyesight on a daily basis, and, unlike eyeglasses or contact lenses, the artificial IOL is completely unnoticeable. An IOL replaces your natural lens acting as a completely new lens for your eye. This is one of the biggest advantages of any intraocular lens.

Cost-Effective

Patients spend hundreds of dollars annually in multifocal contact lenses or updating their pair of progressive lenses. While replacing a pair of eyeglasses may only occur after a few years, over the course of 10 years, the cost of progressive eyeglasses or multifocal contact lenses can easily match but often exceeds the cost of one cataract surgery with a premium IOL.

Intuitive

Premium IOLs are measured and calculated to handle higher-order aberrations, which reduces the effects of bright light interfering with your vision. That means those bright headlights that would have been giant starbursts at night are reduced in their brightness, helping you drive.

Lighting

While Alcon claims the Acrysof IQ ReSTOR multifocal offers optimal image quality in all lighting conditions, not all premium IOLs handle lighting conditions easily. This means your vision may not be as crisp in low light conditions compared to brightly lit conditions, yet you’ll be able to drive safely at night.

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A Cataract Surgeon May Utilize Multifocal & Monofocal IOLs Together

Eyesight varies on an individual basis and even per eye. Due to the health and strength of each person’s vision, a cataract surgeon in , Mississippi may even recommend a mix of IOLs to achieve the right visual balance.

For example, a standard aspheric monofocal IOL for the dominant eye can help with driving, sports, and any distance dependent work, while a premium multifocal for the non-dominant eye can enable one to finish reading through the paper, browse the internet & email, and finish a bit of reading at the end of the day.

Although this “juggling act” might seem a bit unexpected, the convenience can outweigh the need for various pairs of eyeglasses, and the eyes will adjust to the various conditions naturally.

Accommodating Lenses

Accommodative IOL

Certain implants called accommodative lens implants may also be suitable for patients who want their new artificial lens to work naturally. Accommodative lenses work along with the eyes’ muscles using hinges to allow the eye to fixate on objects at all distances. Although every intraocular lens offers a unique set of features, accommodative IOLs grant the most adaptivity for one’s eyes.

Since cataract surgery replaces the natural lens of your eye with an artificial lens, patients will experience improvements in their vision, clarity, and color contrast regardless of the IOL they choose. As adjustments in vision can vary from every individual, accommodative intraocular lens implants are engineered with a versatile lifestyle in mind.

Accommodative IOLs are manufactured to address nearsightedness and farsightedness seamlessly to address most visual needs.

Want to learn more about accommodative IOLs? Speak to our cataract surgeon for more information.

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Accommodating Lenses For Distance & Intermediate Vision

An accommodating lens like Crystalens utilizes a premium IOL to restore clear vision among close, far, and mid-range distances. The lens’ design adjusts the focusing power of the eye. This accommodation mimics the way the eye naturally switches focus between distances. For example, clear distances come into focus when your eye muscle relaxes, while far distances require your eye muscles to contract. The lens itself will flatten to adjust for clear distances or make micro movements for magnification when viewing at a distance. Due to the nature of the Crystalens, you can also gain clear night vision without facing halos or glare, which is ideal for late night drivers.

The two most commonly used brands of accommodating IOLs:

  • Crystalens AO IOL
  • Trulign Toric IOL

Toric Lenses For Astigmatism Correction

Not everyone has the same shape of eyes, and for those with astigmatism or abnormal curvature of the cornea, a toric IOL may be recommended. A toric IOL like AcrySof can correct astigmatism as part of your cataract surgery and correct your vision.

While greater clarity will be gained from the lens implant, reading glasses may still be required for performing close-up tasks.

Brands of Toric IOLs:

  • Tecnis Toric IOL
  • AcrySof IQ Toric IOL
  • Trulign Toric

There are far more options that can be utilized by a cataract surgeon to ensure the best outcome after surgery.

Discuss the various premium IOLs with a cataract surgeon in Tupelo, Mississippi to make an informed decision that addresses all of your lifestyle and visual expectations.

Further information on IOLs:

https://www.myalcon.com/products/surgical/acrysof-iq-iol

http://www.bausch.com/ecp/our-products/cataract-surgery/lens-systems/sofport

https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/iols.htm

https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/when-to-use-multifocal-intraocular-lenses

Further Information On IOLs:

  • https://www.myalcon.com/products/surgical/acrysof-iq-iol
  • http://www.bausch.com/ecp/our-products/cataract-surgery/lens-systems/sofport
  • https://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/iols.htm
  • https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/when-to-use-multifocal-intraocular-lenses

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Entropion

Senior couple smiling, male wearing glassesCertain eye conditions can affect the actual eye surface or the cornea. However, oculoplasty treats medical conditions that affect areas around the eye, such as the skin or eyelids. A medical condition called entropion is often surgically treated by an oculoplastic surgeon. Entropion is when the eyelid, usually the lower lid, folds inward, while ectropion is when the lower lid folds outward. When an eyelid folds inward, the eyelashes and/or eyelid will rub against the inside of the eye and possibly cornea causing irritation & discomfort. When left untreated, scarring of the eyelid or cornea or possibly nerve damage may occur. Entropion can affect both eyes simultaneously, but most cases of entropion affect one eyelid at a time. This condition is more prevalent in women and people above the age of 60.

What are symptoms of entropion?

Although entropion shares symptoms with dry eye disease, the source of dryness around the eye as well as the treatment is very different.

Mild cases of entropion show these symptoms:

  • Mild eye pain
  • Redness & inflammation around the eye
  • Light & wind Sensitivity
  • Sagging skin around the eye
  • A feeling that something is in the eye
  • Epiphora (excessive tearing or watery eyes)

When faced with any of these symptoms, one should seek an eye doctor for an evaluation of their eye health. Immediate care should be consulted to treat severe cases of entropion. Symptoms associated with severe entropion can include:

  • Decreased vision, especially if the cornea is damaged
  • Mucous discharge and eyelid crusting
  • Rapidly increasing redness in your eyes
  • Increased levels of eye pain

Entropion that rubs against the cornea can result in a corneal injury and likely vision loss. The best way to prevent entropion from causing a cornea injury is to seek an eye doctor early. Any abnormal signs around the eye, such as eye pain, discomfort around the eye, or redness & inflammation are often covered by medical insurance. While entropion may resemble symptoms of dry eye disease, you may be at higher risk for entropion depending on your medical history.

Which medical factors cause entropion?

  • From birth or congenital
  • Entropion is associated with aging. (loose skin or  ligaments and muscles that were stretched and loosened.)
  • Scarring or previous surgery
  • Past burns around the eye or trauma
  • Spasm
  • Untreated Inflammation
  • Trachoma (An eye infection that can scar the inner eyelid.)

Entropion is treated through a relatively basic surgery that removes excess skin around the eyelid, and occasionally tendons and muscles are shortened as well. Your oculoplastic surgeon will evaluate the health of your eyes and share with you the process of the surgery as well as recovery. In addition, your eye doctor may recommend artificial tears prior to surgery to help protect your eyes.

Lifestyle Lenses – Premium IOLs & Cataract Surgery

As much as eyeglasses and contact lenses have advanced in their versatility, cataract surgeons have promoted premium intraocular lenses to enhance the daily lifestyle choices of our cataract patients. During cataract surgery, your natural lens which is clouded by cataracts is replaced with a new, artificial lens. While patients may opt for the standard procedure, cataract surgeons highly recommend the usage of a premium IOL or artificial lens.

Not only do premium artificial lenses adapt to your eyes functionality, making them virtually unnoticeable overtime, but they can provide a number of benefits that make their added costs reasonable and an investment that immediately improves your overall quality of life. This is why - across the various practices that offer cataract surgery - premium lenses are classified as lifestyle lenses.

Advanced artificial lenses or premium IOLs address multiple zones of vision: near, far, and intermediate distances.

ReSTOR and Tecnis Multifocal Intraocular lenses (IOLs)

Presbyopic patients juggle between reading glasses and progressives whether they sit down to read, traveling by car, or going to an event. While some don't mind the switch up in eyewear or the inconveniences that can occur trying to focus on various distances, multifocal IOLs are an ideal solution to correct any nearsightedness or farsightedness.

Patients not only achieve clear vision from a multifocal IOL like ReSTOR or Tecnis multifocal lenses but eyeglasses and even reading glasses may no longer be needed. Multifocal IOLs can adapt to any lighting conditions and can improve the way you work on the computer or watch television to driving and enjoying the outdoors with clarity.

Accommodating Lenses for Distance and Intermediate Vision

Crystalen is a premium IOL manufacturer that offers accommodating lenses. Similar to a multifocal lens that corrects near, far, and mid-range vision, an accommodating lens will adapt to the eyes natural focus. The eye's muscles will relax or contract depending on what you're focusing on, and an accommodating lens will mimic these micro-movements. These lenses are an advanced premium IOL that outperform the standard multifocal contact lens or progressive glasses as they work harmoniously with your eye. Some patients with an accommodating IOL enjoy better night vision as well, which appeals to late night drivers.

Astigmatism and Toric Intraocular Lenses

Standard eyeglasses or contact lenses correct a refractive error by directing light to the retina. However, when the outermost layer of the eye or the cornea has an irregular curvature or shape, the light is bent or misdirected and can't reach the retina even through standard eyewear. Although patients with astigmatism can rely on specialty contact lenses to correct their vision, a toric IOL is another premium IOL that provides an immediate remedy for astigmatism.

Utilizing a toric intraocular lens in cataract surgery provides greater clarity to astigmatic patients as well as avoids the need of specialty contact lenses. Reading glasses might be needed for close-up tasks.

Glaucoma Surgery

When is surgery used for glaucoma treatment?

In general, surgery isn’t the first line of treatment for glaucoma. But if other treatments fail, glaucoma surgery may be able to save your vision.

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The goal of glaucoma treatment is to lower your intraocular pressure by helping fluid to drain. When the pressure is elevated, it can push on your optic nerve – leading to vision damage. A variety of medicated eye drops can be prescribed to reduce the pressure levels, but they aren’t effective for everyone, especially when pressure levels are very high and need to be lowered quickly or sometimes medicine causes serious side effects, such as hypertension, which makes it a poor option for glaucoma treatment.

These are cases when our eye doctor in Tupelo, Mississippi, may recommend glaucoma surgery.

grandmother looking outside

Types of Glaucoma Surgery

Typically, your eye doctor will perform laser surgery first. These procedures are done on an outpatient basis.

Laser surgeries for glaucoma include:

  • Argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT): This procedure opens blockages in your eye, allowing fluid to drain properly.
  • Selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT): when ALT isn’t fully effective, this procedure may be used. SLT works by aiming a precisely targeted low-level laser at only the spots with elevated pressure.
  • Laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI): when the gap between your iris and cornea is smaller than normal, narrow-angle glaucoma may develop. With this kind of glaucoma, fluid and pressure build up in this small area of the eye. Using a laser beam, LPI creates a tiny hole in the iris through which the excess fluid can drain.
  • Cyclophotocoagulation: when all other laser treatments do not relieve the fluid buildup and lower pressure, cyclophotocoagulation may be used. This operation aims a laser beam through the sclera and into the ciliary body, which is the part of the eye that produces intraocular fluid. The laser damages the ciliary body so it makes less eye fluid. Cyclophotocoagulation may be repeated over time to keep pressure levels normal.

Conventional non-laser glaucoma surgery:

If laser surgery doesn’t alleviate eye pressure, you may need a different type of procedure.

  • Trabeculectomy: a small incision will be made in the white part of your eye to remove some of the inner mesh of tissue, helping the excess fluid to drain. Medication to prevent scar tissue may also be administered. Research shows that this procedure lowers eye pressure in 6-8 out of 10 people and may be most effective in people who haven’t had previous eye trauma or surgery (for glaucoma, retina surgery, cataracts, or eye muscle problems).
  • Drainage implant surgery: a tiny tube will be inserted inside your eye to facilitate fluid draining. Many minimally invasive implants are now available.
  • Electrocautery: a heat device, called a Trabectome, is used to make a small incision in the drainage tubes of your eye, which sends heat to the inner mesh of tissue and relieves fluid pressure. Electrocautery is less invasive than trabeculectomy or drainage implants.

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Risks of Glaucoma Surgery

Benefits of Glaucoma Surgery

The primary risk of glaucoma surgery is that it increases your chances of developing cataracts later on. Other possible risks include:

  • Red eyes
  • Eye pain
  • Abnormal eye pressure – too high, or even too low
  • Vision loss
  • Eye infection
  • Inflammation or bleeding in your eye

When other types of glaucoma treatment are ineffective or unsuitable, glaucoma surgery offers an excellent alternative to prevent damage to your optic nerve and vision loss.

Also, if the opening in your eye begins to close up again, glaucoma surgery can be repeated. If you’ve already lost vision due to glaucoma, surgery will not be able to restore it – but it can prevent further damage and save your remaining sight!

For glaucoma diagnosis and management, be sure to visit our eye doctors in Tupelo and New Albany, Mississippi, for regular comprehensive eye exams.

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Serving Opthalmology Patients From:

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