Do you feel like you’re looking through a cloudy window? If blurry vision makes daily tasks difficult, you may have cataracts.
Stephen Khachikian, MD, helps patients in and around Rapid City, South Dakota, regain their visual freedom with advanced cataract surgery. Many people believe they must wait until their cataracts are fully advanced before seeking treatment to restore clear sight. However, modern eye care focuses on your lifestyle and daily needs instead of an arbitrary timeline.
Standard eye charts don’t always show the whole picture of your visual health. You should consider surgery when clouded vision begins to interfere with your favorite activities.
Patients with 20/20 vision on standard charts can still benefit from surgery if they have symptoms. These symptoms include glare, halos around lights, and poor contrast.
To help plan your care, Dr. Khachikian recommends keeping a simple diary of your daily visual struggles. Note when reading, driving at night, or working becomes frustrating. He can review this diary during your consultation to determine the best path forward.
Some patients delay treatment because they believe cataracts must fully mature before surgery, but this is a common myth left over from older surgical methods. In reality, waiting too long can make the procedure more complex.
Advanced cataracts are harder and require more energy to remove. Rest assured that Dr. Khachikian uses state-of-the-art techniques to ensure your procedure is as safe and gentle as possible, regardless of the advancement of your cataracts.
A successful outcome starts long before you enter the operating room. Dr. Khachikian performs a thorough evaluation of your overall eye health. This includes checking for other conditions that might affect your recovery.
Preexisting dry eye must be diagnosed and treated before surgery. Managing dry eye ensures Dr. Khachikian gets highly accurate measurements for your new lens.
If you have other concerns, like cornea problems, Dr. Khachikian will address them first. He customizes every treatment plan to fit your eyes and lifestyle.
During the cataract surgery itself, Dr. Khachikian creates a tiny incision — about 2-3 mm — in your cornea. He removes your clouded lens and replaces it with your new intraocular lens, restoring your clear vision.
Don’t let clouded vision hold you back from enjoying your life any longer. Stephen Khachikian, MD, has performed countless surgeries and is here to guide you through every step. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your options.
