Cataract Surgery Specialist
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Stephen Khachikian, MD
Ophthalmologist located in Rapid City, SD
When your vision is so cloudy that it interferes with your daily activities or makes life more difficult, it may be time to consider cataract surgery. At Stephen Khachikian, MD, in Rapid City, South Dakota, experienced ophthalmologist Dr. Khachikian performs cataract surgery using the latest advanced techniques and equipment so you can comfortably and successfully restore your vision. Click the online scheduling tool or call the office to arrange your cataract consultation now.
Cataract Surgery
When should I have a cataract surgery consultation?
There are several symptoms that may indicate you should schedule a cataract surgery consultation, including
- Blurry vision
- Cloudy vision
- Colors look faded or it gets harder to tell colors apart
- Bad night vision, making driving or other activities at night a challenge
- Halos around lights
- Light sensitivity
Not every cataract sufferer has all of these symptoms, but because cataracts grow worse over time, you’re likely to suffer from most of these issues eventually unless you get cataract surgery. If these problems are interfering with your vision, schedule a consultation with Dr. Khachikian so he can determine if cataract surgery is the best option for you.
How does cataract surgery work?
Cataract surgery is highly advanced today, and Dr. Khachikian uses state-of-the-art procedures, techniques, and equipment. The surgery starts with medicated eye drops that help your pupil stay dilated during surgery, while also preventing irritation and infection.
Dr. Khachikian delivers anesthetic in your eye to ensure your comfort during the surgery. You may also get a light sedative to help you relax. Once your eye is numb, Dr. Khachikian creates a very small incision of about 2-3 mm in your cornea. He removes your clouded lens in tiny pieces and then replaces it with your new intraocular lens (IOL).
Dr. Khachikian uses flexible IOLs because they’re foldable, which makes placing them in the eye easier. This means small incision size and comfortable procedures and recovery. Usually, you don’t need stitches after cataract surgery because Dr. Khachikian typically performs bladeless surgery with a laser. This outpatient surgery takes just 15-30 minutes.
Most patients get back to their usual routine the day after cataract surgery, with little-to-no discomfort.
Can my IOL correct both near and distance vision problems?
Most IOLs are monofocal, with one fixed viewing distance. That means you might still need glasses for close-up or distance vision. But, premium multifocal IOLs work in a similar way to bifocals. You’ll gradually adapt to looking through different parts of the lens based on your current task. Dr. Khachikian can help you decide whether multifocal IOLs can work for you.
For more information on how cataract surgery can benefit you, request an appointment online or call the office of Stephen Khachikian, MD, today to arrange your consultation.