Dr. Mark Mayo and Dr. Edward Wade
Top Cataract Surgeons Serving Houston, Pasadena, Clear Lake, Katy and Sugar Land
Cataract Symptoms
What Are the Symptoms of a Cataract?
- A gradual deterioration in vision over time.
- Objects may appear yellow, hazy, blurred or distorted.
- Vision at night or in low-light conditions may be dramatically reduced.
- Vision in bright light or in the sunshine may be difficult due to glare.
- Halos may appear around bright lights at night.
What is a Cataract?
The word cataract is used to describe a natural lens that has turned cloudy. Cataracts are not a disease, but rather a condition affecting the eye. As the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, it does not allow light to pass through it as well as it did when it was transparent. Cataracts usually start as a slight cloudiness that progressively grows more opaque. They are usually white, but may take on color such as yellow or brown. As the cataract becomes opaque and dense, the retina receives less and less light. The light that does reach the retina becomes increasingly blurred and distorted. This causes gradual impairment of vision. If left untreated, cataracts can cause needless blindness. A cataract can only be removed by cataract surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the most common operations performed, usually with excellent results.
Yes, Blade Free…Laser Cataract Surgery if Finally Here.
This is one of the most exciting technological break throughs in the history of cataract surgery and is designed to help make modern-day cataract surgery even more precise… and better than ever!
Recently, cataract surgery underwent a major advancement with the introduction of a new bladeless, computer-controlled laser called LenSx®. Across the country, only a small handful of these specialized lasers are available and in use. Edward C. Wade, M.D., F.A.C.S. and Mark L. Mayo, M.D. are two of the first in U.S. to perform Refractive Laser Assisted Cataract Surgery (ReLACS) with the LenSx laser and are ranked #2 in the country for number of cataract cases with the LenSx laser. The LenSx laser is a highly advanced image-guided laser that is revolutionizing refractive cataract surgery.
How does the LenSx® laser work? Traditionally, surgeons make tiny manual incisions with a blade, then remove or aspirate out the cloudy lens (cataract) using ultrasound vibrations, and then replace it with a manmade lens implant. During laser refractive cataract surgery, the LenSx® control system analyzes high-resolution images of your eye, allowing Dr. Wade and Dr. Mayo to customize each procedure. Three dimensional, real time images guide them in the proper alignment of the laser made incisions bringing a new level of precision to cataract surgery.
What are the advantages of the LenSx® laser vs. traditional cataract surgery?
- Precision- LenSx® automates the most challenging procedures in cataract surgery. It creates the highest level of precision available with a cool laser instead of a blade.
- Safety- LenSx® may increase safety and potentially minimizes risk by providing a faster and less invasive procedure. (not in text – but since this is new tech – still being studied.)
- Control- LenSx® offers real time images to guide the surgeon for proper alignmenent.
How does LenSx® reduce or eliminate astigmatism?
The LenSx® laser places incisions on the cornea in specific areas to “relax” the eye to a more round shape (like a basketball). The precision of using a laser instead of a blade may result in better management and outcomes than traditional methods.
Pain-free Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery in Pasadena / Houston is an outpatient procedure that will only take about 10 minutes to perform. When you arrive for your cataract surgery, your eyes will be dilated with eye drops and anesthetic drops will be applied to minimize any discomfort during the operation. According to a survey conducted by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, more than 98% of cataract patients had their vision successfully improved after cataract surgery. Many patients experience vision that is actually better than before they developed cataracts. Once removed, cataracts will not grow back. However, some patients may experience clouding of a thin tissue called the capsule or “bag” that holds the intra-ocular lens (IOL). If this occurs, a laser is used to painlessly open the clouded capsule and restore clear vision.
During cataract surgery, Houston cataract surgeon Dr. Wade or Dr. Mayo will be removed with an advanced technique called phaco-emulsification, or small-incision cataract surgery. After applying a local anesthetic, a tiny incision of about 1/8″ is made in the front part of the eye. The cataract is then broken into microscopic particles using high energy sound waves and gently suctioned from the eye. Then, to compensate for the removal of the eye’s natural lens, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is implanted into the eye. This type of incision is self-healing and stronger, and remains tightly sealed by the natural outward pressure within your eye. Cataract surgery is done on an out-patient basis, and patients are able to return home the very same day and are able to see right away. Patients begin postoperative eye drops to avoid inflammation or infection. There is little to no pain in almost all cataract surgery cases.
Advances in Cataract Surgery
In the past, a cataract patient had no choice when it came to intraocular lens implant. Patients were usually corrected for distance but had to wear glasses for near. At the Eye Center of Texas, we are happy to offer the latest in multifocal lenses in cataract surgery. There are four basic types of IOLs, each designed for a specific corrective function.
Monofocal IOL:
An intraocular lens that provides patients with only one focal point. Most commonly, these lenses correct only for distance vision unless you have astigmatism in which case even the distance is blurred
Multifocal IOL:
An intraocular lens that provides patients with multiple focal points, correcting vision at a range of distances – near, intermediate and distance. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens is an improvement over traditional IOLs used to help restore vision after cataract surgery. The AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens uses three complementary technologies (apodization, diffraction and refraction) to restore a full range of vision following cataract surgery. The lens uses patented technology for collecting and distributing light without relying on the eye’s ciliary muscle, which can lose its effectiveness with age. As a result, after cataract surgery the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens allows you to see at all distances, similar to the natural human lens. Clinical trials have proven with the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens implant, 80 percent of cataract patients (with or without presbyopia) could see clearly without the aid of glasses or bifocals following cataract surgery in both eyes, and 84 percent of patients who received the AcrySof® ReSTOR® lens in both eyes achieved a distance visual sharpness of 20/25 or better and near visual sharpness of 20/32 or better.
Toric IOL:
An IOL that corrects for astigmatism to allow people with astigmatism to see well in the distance. They will typically still need glasses for reading and computer work.
Crystalens IOL:
An artificial lens implant that can treat a person’s cataract and presbyopia by recreating accommodation similar to your eye’s natural lens. The lens was modeled after the human eye, like a natural lens, it is a lens implant that uses the eye muscle to flex and accommodate in order to focus on objects in the environment at all distances. The lens is designed to allow the optic, or the central part of the lens that you see through, to move back and forth as you constantly change focus on images around you. Like you natural lens, this lens flexes as you focus your vision. Clinical trials have proven that patients implanted with the lens (88.4%) could see better at all distances than patients implanted with a standard IOL (35.9%) and most patients have continued to report excellent vision 7 years after implantation. More than 200,000 Crystalens IOLs have been implanted worldwide.
Choosing a Surgeon for Your Cataract Surgery
When having cataract surgery, it is important to select a surgeon with cataract experience, Dr. Edward Wade and Dr. Mark Mayo were two of the first surgeons in the Houston area to use the ReSTOR and Toric implants and Crystalens…and they are two of the first surgeons in the country to perform cataract surgery using the LenSx laser and are #2 in the U.S. for number of cases with the LenSx laser. Dr. Wade is currently ranked as one of the TOP 5 ReSTOR surgeons in the United States. Dr. Mayo and Dr. Wade are both are very experienced at LASIK Vision Correction having done more than 50,000 cases which is important because approximately 10% of ReSTOR cataract surgery patients will require a small laser eye surgery at 6 weeks post-op to help treat astigmatism.
Drs. Wade and Mayo are both Board Certified eye surgeons who graduated at the top of their class at two of the most prestigious Medical Schools in the country – Baylor College of Medicine and UT Southwestern in Dallas. They both went on to train at two of the most preeminent residency programs for eye surgeons in the US – Baylor and Wills Eye Hospital – where both were named Chief Residents. They are trusted by more than 275 referring Eye Doctors in Houston who send their patients, their families, and themselves to the Eye Center of Texas for cataract surgery.
