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Cataract Surgery is the third most performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million surgeries per year. This surgery also has a very high success rate, with 9 out of 10 people regaining vision between 20/20 and 20/40.

The surgery begins with the doctor making a small incision into the cornea. Next, the surgeon may remove the lens as one piece or use an ultrasound, laser or surgical solution to break the lens into pieces and remove it. The posterior capsule, the membrane at the back of the lens, is left in place so that an intraocular lens can be inserted.

Occasionally the entire lens, including the membrane, will be removed to ensure that the membrane won’t become cloudy over time and interfere with vision. However, if the membrane is removed, a replacement lens cannot be inserted. In this case, corrective lenses must be worn to restore vision.

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve. The disease causes the nerve cells at the front of the optic nerve to die, which leads to partial or total vision loss. The first two types of glaucoma occur with in an eye that has no structural deformities. They are called Open Angle and Normal Tension Glaucoma.

Open Angle glaucoma, also referred to as chronic glaucoma, normally develops after the age of 35 and is the most common form of glaucoma. It occurs when aqueous fluid builds up and causes the pressure inside your eye to increase. The fluid is not drained properly because of a clog in the trabecular meshwork, a sponge-like, porous tissue which drains fluid from the eye. This happens gradually, with no symptoms. It can lead to partial or total vision loss and can only be detected through routine eye examinations.

The second type of glaucoma affects a small percentage of people and is called Normal Tension glaucoma. It occurs with normal eye pressure and can be attributed to an unusually fragile optic nerve or reduced blood flow to the optic nerve. This trait may be inherited and can only be monitored through routine eye exams.