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Columbia Eye Clinic

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Will I need glasses after cataract surgery?

Years ago if you had cataract surgery, the natural cloudy lens was removed and there was nothing to replace it. People had to wear very thick eyeglasses or special contact lenses to be able to see clearly after cataract surgery. Now, we have a replacement for the eyes’ natural lenses called intraocular lenses (IOLs). There are several types of lens implants available to help reduce or eliminate your dependence on glasses.

So why do some people still require glasses after their surgery while others do not? There are many factors that determine if you will continue to wear full time glasses, part time glasses such as reading glasses, or none at all. These factors include the overall health of the eye, the amount of astigmatism,  your current eyeglass prescription, and your visual needs.

Patients who have cataract surgery with a monofocal IOL may need glasses for some or all distances. Monofocal IOLs have been used for several decades and are set to provide your best uncorrected vision at one focal point. Many people who choose a monofocal IOL have it set it for distance vision and use reading glasses for near activities. On the other hand, a person whose IOLs are set to correct near vision would need glasses to see distant objects clearly.

Monofocal IOLs can also be set for monovision, which is distance vision in one eye and near vision in the other eye. If you are considering monovision, your ophthalmologist may suggest trying this technique with contact lenses first to see how well you can adapt. If you require crisp, detailed vision, monovision may not be the best approach for you.

Astigmatism is an imperfection in the curvature of your cornea. Astigmatism correcting IOLs can also be used to help decrease the dependence upon glasses. These IOLs are monofocal IOLs that correct astigmatism so you can see without glasses at one distance.  You may still rely on glasses for some activities.

Multifocal IOLs utilize advanced technology and offer a series of focal zones or rings built into the IOL. Depending on where light focuses through the zones, you may be able to see distance, intermediate and near objects clearly. The ability to read and perform other tasks without glasses varies from person to person but it is generally best when multifocal IOLs are placed in both eyes.

Columbia Eye Clinic offers a host of the latest advancements in lens implants and surgical procedure options to create a custom experience for every cataract patient. Although traditional cataract surgery is very effective and successful, when considering your surgical options, laser cataract surgery can offer a host of benefits over traditional procedures and can help you experience the best possible long-term vision.

Regardless of the type procedure and lens you select, you may still need to rely on glasses some of the time, but if correctly selected, your IOLs can greatly reduce your dependence on glasses. Contact us to schedule an appointment to discuss your options with your ophthalmologist to determine the cataract procedure and IOL that best suits your vision needs and lifestyle.

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Thanksgiving 2019 Holiday Hours

So that our physicians and staff may enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday with their families, all Columbia Eye Clinic locations will be closed Thursday, November 28, Friday, November 29 and Saturday, November 30, 2019.  All offices will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, December 2, 2019. 

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Buy a Pair, Make a Difference: Columbia Eye Clinic Now Carrying DIFF Eyewear

 

Columbia Eye Clinic now carries DIFF Eyewear, a popular brand that combines style and generosity to create “charitable eyewear.”

With a mission to use fashion as a force for good, DIFF Eyewear gives one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold. Since 2015, DIFF has donated more than 1 million pairs of reading glasses to individuals around the world. Their buy one, give one campaign helps provide the gift of sight through eye exams, glasses, medicine and surgery.

DIFF Eyewear has other charitable initiatives including Project DIFF, a fair-trade program that sells sunglass pouches made in Africa to help build the Little Angels School in Arua, Uganda.

They also partner with the charity Tribe Alive to provide women in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with a sustainable wage to support their families.

Not only is DIFF passionate about giving back, but they care deeply about the materials used to make their eyewear. Each pair of frames is hand-cut from a single piece of acetate, allowing for more comfort and flexibility compared to other glasses. With more than 35 unique prescription glasses designs, DIFF Eyewear has something for everyone.

 

Columbia Eye Clinic is proudly offering DIFF Eyewear at all three of their conveniently located optical shops in downtown Columbia, Northeast Columbia and Lexington.

 

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Now Offering iDESIGN® Laser-Assisted Vision Correction

For patients who want to reduce or eliminate their dependence on glasses and contacts, the iDESIGN® Refractive Studio is the next generation of personalized laser-assisted vision correction. Refractive surgery, also known as LASIK or PRK, is a laser procedure used to correct nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism. In the procedure, a laser is used to reshape the cornea—the clear, round dome at the front of the eye—to improve the way the eye focuses light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye.

The iDESIGN® system takes over 1,200 measurements of the inside and outside of your eye and maps each data point to create an optical fingerprint unique to each patient’s eye. Using the personalized procedure plan, the laser corrects your vision to your exact needs in only a few minutes.

iDESIGN® technology is approved for patients with myopia, hyperopia, and mixed astigmatism, making laser vision correction available for some patients who were previously not candidates for refractive surgery. iDESIGN® technology is also approved for monovision, a procedure designed for patients over 40 years old who are experiencing blurry near vision due to aging of their eyes, where one eye is corrected for distance and the other for near vision.

More than 90% of people who have refractive surgery perform most of their everyday tasks without glasses or contact lenses. Your doctor will consider your vision needs for work and leisure activities to determine if refractive surgery is right for you.

Some patients may need a second enhancement surgery or might need to wear glasses for certain activities, such as reading or driving at night. Refractive surgery cannot correct presbyopia, the age-related loss of closeup focusing power, so you may still need reading glasses after the procedure.

Contact us at (803) 779-3070 to schedule an exam at any of our three convenient clinic locations to determine if you are a candidate for refractive surgery.

 

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Columbia Eye Clinic Welcomes Dr. Sarah Lee

Jae Youn Sarah Lee, M.D.

The 13 physicians and more than 100 staff of Columbia Eye Clinic welcome Sarah Lee, M.D. to the practice.  Dr. Lee specializes in ophthalmic and cataract surgery and comprehensive ophthalmology including:

  • presbyopia and astigmatism correcting cataract surgery,
  • management of dry eye,
  • medical and laser management of glaucoma,
  • medical management of diabetic eye disease, and
  • medical management of macular degeneration.

Dr. Lee was Chief Resident at Prisma Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC.  She earned her M.D. from George Washington University, Washington, DC and completed her Internship at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC.  She holds a a M.S. degree from Fordham University, New York, NY and a B.S. degree from Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, American Medical Association, and American Society of Cataract & Refractive Surgery.

Dr. Lee’s interests include traveling, food, yoga, and Zumba.  She speaks Korean and Spanish.

She sees patients at Columbia Eye Clinic’s three conveniently located offices in downtown Columbia, Northeast Columbia and Lexington. Call (803) 779-3070 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lee.

 

 

 

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