HOUSTON, April 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- At Eye Excellence Vision Center, Mary T. Green, M.D. Ph.D. and Timmy A. Kovoor, M.D. use a device called an excimer laser to enhance the quality of vision for post cataract patients who receive a premium IOL implant.

Cataract removal today is performed using a technique called phacoemulsification. When the lens is removed, it is then replaced with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). It's at this point, patients can either choose a standard lens, which is typically paid for by insurance, or a premium lens, which does require some out of pocket expense to the patient.

"Cataract surgery has made some major advancements over the last few years. We can now not only remove and correct for the cataract, but now we have the option of diminishing a patient's dependence on eye glasses and contact lenses. This is accomplished by the use of premium lens implants along with the excimer laser. This technology allows our patients to achieve a quality of vision that wasn't previously available," says Dr. Green, Medical Director of Eye Excellence.

For many years, IOLs available had one point of focus correcting only near, intermediate, or distance vision. Now a number of multifocal and accommodative lenses, called premium IOLs, provide a wider range of focus allowing you to see far, intermediate, and near. These include ReSTOR®, TECNIS®, Crystalens®, and Toric®. Additionally, wavefront laser technology can be used to refine visual errors after cataract surgery and to correct astigmatism when necessary.

"Astigmatism is when the outside portion of the eye called the cornea is misshaped, like a football instead of the desired spherical shape similar to a basketball," explains Dr. Kovoor. "Since the cornea is responsible for focusing much of the light entering the eye, it's imperative that it has the proper shape for visual clarity."

Cataract and LASIK are both outpatient procedures that have a very short recovery time. Eye Excellence utilizes all-laser blade free iLASIK technology which can further enhance vision.

Eye Excellence Vision Center is an ophthalmology practice with two locations in Houston, Texas. In addition to their cataract and refractive surgery specialties, Dr. Green and Dr. Kovoor provide a full range of ophthalmic services, including treating cataracts, LASIK, corneal diseases, glaucoma, pterygia, dry eye, and more. www.eyeexcellence.com http://eyeexcellence.com/cataracts_options.html

SOURCE Eye Excellence