Cataract Surgery Sebastian Florida

Over fifty percent of people over the age of 60, and quite a few younger than that, suffer from cataracts. Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only one way to achieve clear vision again is through Sebastian cataract surgery. 

In your parents' or grandparents' day, cataract surgery was considered risky, required a lengthy hospital stay and was usually postponed for as long as possible, oftern until the cataract was "RIPE" (Surgeons haven't waited until cataracts were "RIPE" before being removed for 25+ years).  However, it is extremely fortunate in our day and age, that the technology of cataract surgery has become so far advanced that it is by far the most common surgery done in the United States, has an exceptional record of safety and success, and is performed by excellent surgeons, such as our own  DR MONNETT and DR STEINWAND in AS LITTLE AS 4 MINUTES.  

Coupling this with our well-known "NO-NEEDLE NO-STITCH NO-PATCH INSTANT SIGHT CATARACT SURGERY" technique, brought to the Space and Treasure Coasts FIRST by DR MONNETT in the 1990's, area patients typically enjoy a quick, virtually painless procedure, using ONLY EYEDROPS rather than uncomfortable and potentially complication-causing needle injections to numb the eye.  Patients are able to leave the surgery center in a matter of only minutes after surgery, WITHOUT ANY STITCHES OR EYEPATCH and already experiencing vision with their just-operated eye, and are able to return to full activity within a day or two of surgery.

An UNEXPECTED BONUS of cataract surgery when performed by excellent surgeons such as Dr Monnett and Dr Steinwand, is that patients typically no longer need any distance glasses and see clearly to drive without glasses!!  For this reason, vision is often better than it ever was even before cataracts developed.  If this sounds incredible, see what cataract patients have to say about their cataract surgery.

AND THERE'S MORE--Crystalens  and Acrysof ReSTOR LENSES ARE HERE!  READ AGAIN WITHOUT GLASSES!

In keeping with our 20 year reputation of being at the forefront of bringing the very latest proven techniques and technologies to the Space and Treasure Coasts, the MONNETT EYE CENTERS are once again proud to be at the very cutting edge of ophthalmology in providing the VERY LATEST GROUND-BREAKING (and FDA approved) technology of the Crystalens ACCOMMODATIVE INTRAOCULAR LENS (IOL) IMPLANT and the Acrysof ReSTOR IOL Utilizing this incredible technology, a small, select group of excellent surgeons NATIONWIDE, including DR MONNETT and DR STEINWAND, are able to RESTORE READING VISION WITHOUT GLASSES!i  Just imagine, clear distance AND reading vision again without glasses through lens/cataract removal surgery and insertion of the Crystalens ACCOMMODATIVE IOL or the Acrysof ReSTOR IOL. 

 Cataract surgery is for those who:

• believe that their quality of life has been impaired by lack of clear vision 
• have been diagnosed with cataracts
• have cataracts as the reason for visual symptoms they are no longer willing to live with; such as night time glare, trouble following the golf ball, or difficulty with fine work
• have no serious contraindicating health issues affecting their eyes

What to expect on your Sebastion cataract surgery day:

You will arrive at our Sebastion cataract surgery center about an hour prior to your procedure. Once you have been checked in, you will receive eyedrops to dilate and numb your eye.  Since both doctors Monnett and Steinwand use Dr Monnett's well known "NO-NEEDLE, NO-STITCH, NO-PATCH, INSTANT SIGHT CATARACT SURGERY" technique, ther are no uncomfortable and potentially complication-causing needle injections.  You will then be prepared for surgery. The area around your eyes will be cleaned and a sterile drape  be applied around your eye.
Additional numbing eye drops will be given to further numb your eyes, and an eyelid holder will be placed between your eyelids to keep you from blinking during the procedure.  You will be given sedation to allow you to drift off into a "twilight sleep", and typically only a few moments later, you will be gently awakened with the news "We're all done and everything went well".		Your eye will be completely numbed before the procedure.

The entire procedure is performed through very small incision about 1/8" long. A tiny ultrasonic probe will be passed through this incision and will break up the cataract into microscopic particles using high-energy sound waves. This is called phacoemulsification.

The cataract particles will be gently suctioned away. Then, a folded intra-ocular lens (IOL, the power of which is calculated specifically for your own eye) will be inserted through the micro-incision, and unfolded and locked into permanent position. The small incision is "self-sealing" and usually requires no stitches. It remains tightly closed by the natural outward pressure within the eye. This type of incision heals fast and provides a much more comfortable recuperation.

Intra-Ocular Lens replaces the natural lens of the eye.

The IOL is placed inside the capsular bag of the eye.

If your eye has pre-existing astigmatism, your surgeon may elect to make micro-incisions in the cornea to reduce your astigmatism. These are called LRIs or limbal relaxing incisions, and these are used to maximize your chances of excellent vision without distance glasses.

Pre-existing astigmatism can be treated with limbal relaxing incisions.

Patients are able to leave the surgery center in a matter of only minutes after surgery, WITHOUT ANY STITCHES OR EYEPATCH and already experiencing vision with their just-operated eye.  Most patients are able to return to full activity within a day or two of surgery, and while everyone heals somewhat differently, the occassional patient even goes tout to lunch or dinner the day of surgery, and some are on the golf course the next day.

Realistic expectations:

The decision to have Sebastion cataract surgery is an important one that only YOU can make. In addition, no one knows your eyes better than you. so if you feel your cataracts are affecting your vision more than you are willing to put up with, BEWARE OF THE HMO or MANAGED CARE EYE DOCTOR WHO PATS YOU ON THE KNEE AND PUTS WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH LIKE  "YOUR CATARACTS AREN'T REALLY BOTHERING YOU MUCH ARE THEY-- BESIDES YOU DON'T DRIVE AT NIGHT ANYMORE ANYHOW DO YOU", or phrases like "YOUR CATARACTS AREN'T RIPE YET, SO WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT YEAR" (Ophthalmologists haven't waited for cataracts to become ripe before removal for over 25 years!!).  Words like these are the hallmark of HMO'S and MANAGED CARE PROGRAMS that notoriously try to postpone any surgery as long as possible, often hoping you will either change insurance or pass away before they actually have to pay any money out for your surgical procedure -- How did you THINK they "SAVED" enough money to give you lower premiums? 

 Once removed, cataracts will not grow back. But some patients may experience clouding of a thin tissue, called the capsular bag, that holds the intra-ocular lens.  This eventualy occurs in up to 50% of post-op cataract patients, and can occur in as littlle as a few days (rarely), or more commonly after several monthe or even years.  Fortunately though, fixing this is a "no-brainer".  A one to two minute laser procedure callled a Yag Laser capsulotomy  is used to painlessly open the clouded capsule and restore clear vision..  There is no recovery period needed following the procedure, and you should be able to drive yourself home within a few minutes -- with your vision already markedly improved.

The capsular bag may become cloudy in the future.

Of coarse the goal of any vision restoration procedure is to improve your vision, and the doctors at THE MONNETT EYE CENTERS located in Sebastion Florida are very proud of their record for success.  Serious complications with cataract surgery are extremely rare. It is a safe, effective and permanent procedure. However, as with any surgery, there are risks, and since medicine is not perfect, we cannot guarantee you will have the results you desire..  Since selecting a specialist experienced SPECIFICALLY with this exact procedure can significantly minimize the risks involved with cataract surgery, we think it is important for you to know that Dr Monnett has performed well over 10,000 successful cataract surgeries, and that he is not only Board certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology, but is also BOARD CERTIFIED SPECIFICALLY FOR SMALL INCISION CATARACT SURGERY by the American Board of Eye Surgeons.  In addition, Dr Steinwand received his excellent training at the prestigious Vanderbilt University, and for the past 5 years has followed in Dr Monnett's footsteps regarding his excellent surgical skills and outcomes.

After a thorough eye exam, you and doctors Monnett, Steinwand, or Misner will determine if cataract surgery is an option for you. You will be given additional information about the procedure that will allow you to make an informed decision about whether to proceed. Be sure you have all your questions answered to your satisfaction.

You may also choose to make an appointment or request additional information to learn more about this exciting procedure.