Cataract Surgery and PRK in Bakersfield, California

At Southwest Eye Care and Laser, Dr. Gregory Stainer offers a range of procedures to correct visual imperfections and improve visual acuity. Cataract surgery and PRK are just two of the treatments available to patients from Bakersfield and other areas of California. If you suffer from cataracts or a lower order aberration such as myopia, hyperopia, or astigmatism, you may be a good candidate for cataract or PRK surgery. Learn more about these treatments, or contact Southwest Eye Care and Laser to schedule a consultation with Dr. Stainer.

• Cataract Surgery
• PRK

Modern Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery, in which a normal, cloudy lens is removed, is safer and more successful than ever! We perform the most widely used technique, called phacoemulsification, during cataract surgery at our Bakersfield, California clinic. A very small incision is made and a tiny ultrasonic probe is used to break up the cataract and gently suction it away. At least 95 percent of patients receive an artificial lens implant after the cataract is removed. This lens is called an intraocular lens or IOL and is made from the same plastic as certain types of contact lenses.

Dr. Stainer uses two types of intraocular lenses. Foldable lenses are made of silicon or acrylic and are rolled up and placed into the cornea via a small incision less than 2.5mm wide. Once inserted, the lens gently unfolds into position. The other type of IOL used is a hard lens. The significant difference between the two is the size of incision required for insertion. The hard IOLs require a larger incision and consequently, slightly longer healing time. Dr. Stainer will advise you as to which is more appropriate for your situation. With the insertion of an IOL, there is little need for thick cataract glasses and contact lenses that were required years ago.

Small incision surgery has several benefits. The procedure is very quick, sometimes taking less than 20 minutes. Cataract surgery at our Bakersfield, California location, is done with the latest NO-STITCH technique making for a quick recovery time. Patients are able to eat a light snack and drink immediately after the surgery. The results of the cataract surgery are almost immediate. Cataract surgery is performed at an ambulatory surgery center here in Bakersfield, California unless an insurance plan dictates a different choice. Most patients leave the surgery center within one hour to recover at home. Cataract surgery does not cure the need for reading glasses, but will dramatically improve your vision for day-to-day activities. Your new, improved reading glass prescription will be given several weeks after the procedure.

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Photorefractive Keratectomy (PRK)

Photorefractive Keratectomy, or PRK, is another method of surgically reshaping the cornea using the excimer laser and is used in circumstances when LASIK cannot be safely performed. The PRK specialists at our Bakersfield, California clinic will determine whether you are a candidate for either procedure. PRK is a form of refractive surgery, similar to LASIK. The main difference between LASIK and PRK is that during PRK, the corneal flap is not created because there is not enough tissue to create the flap and sculpt the cornea. During LASIK, a part of the cornea is folded back so that the laser removes tissue from the inner corneal layers. During PRK, the outer layer of the cornea remains in place and the laser removes tissue directly from this outer layer. PRK is used at our Bakersfield, California clinic for low to moderate amounts of nearsightedness (myopia) and farsightedness (hyperopia).

PRK laser treatment requires a little more time than LASIK for complete healing, but the correction for nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism is the same as in LASIK. The corneal curvature is changed so that the visual images are properly focused on the back of the eye.

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If you have any questions about PRK, cataract surgery, or other procedures, please contact us at our Bakersfield, California clinic today.