PRESBYOPIC LENSECTOMY

WHAT IS PRESBYOPIA Asweage,thenaturallensinoureyebecomeslessflexible. This lack of flexibility compromises the eye’s ability to switch from one focal point (objects at a distance – driving) to another focal point (objects that are close – reading). This is called presbyopia. The practical effect of this loss of flexibility in the natural lens of the eye is that we lose our ability to read or see close objects without reading glasses or bifocals. Today, for people who have cataracts with or without presbyopia, there is a procedure to remove the affected natural lens of the eye and replace it with an upgraded Multifocal Lens that provides focused vision in all depths of field – near, intermediate and far.

WHAT IS A CATARACT The natural normal lens of the eye is made mostly of water and protein. As early as in your 40’s, but usually sometime in a person’s 60’s, 70’s or 80’s, some of the protein will clump together, causing the eye’s natural lens to become cloudy. This clouding of the natural lens is called a cataract. When this occurs, light rays passing through the eye become scattered and unfocused. The result is that all objects, whether near or far, become blurry. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness, although this is very uncommon in the United States. The only surgical treatment for a cataract is removal of the affected natural lens of the eye and implantation of a lens implant, or intraocular lens (IOL). This restores the eye’s ability to have light pass through to the retina. Over 14 million IOL procedures are performed worldwide each year.

UNDERSTANDING THE EYE Before choosing an option to treat your cataracts and correct your vision, it is important to understand how the human eye works, how your eyes change with age, and how different disorders, such as cataracts and presbyopia, may affect your vision. Remember, this information is for educational purposes only. Consult Dr. Braverman and his staff to help you make an informed decision. The human eye has two lenses that work together to focus light onto the retina. The outer focusing lens is called thecornea. The inner focusing lens is called the crystalline lens. Light rays pass first through the cornea and then through the crystalline lens. The cornea and crystalline lens focus incoming light by bending all the light rays to meet at a single point on the retina. Fromtheretina,theselightraysaresentaselectricalpulses to the brain where our mind “sees” a picture of what’s in front of us. Many things change as time passes. Vision is one of them. The aging process affects the clarity and quality of vision, which may impact your ability to read or drive at night. Two primary causes of vision loss with age are cataracts and presbyopia.

WELCOME Since 1973 the Braverman Eye Center, located in Hallandale Beach, Florida, has been a leader in South Florida in Refractive Cataract Surgery. Dr. Braverman has done over twenty thousand cataract and refractive laser surgeries as well as over two thousand multifocal implants, which allow you to see both near and far after cataract surgery. He has developed multiple surgical instruments and has taught many other surgeons his techniques. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, teaching cataract surgery to their residents. Also, the Braverman Eye Center is a premium South Florida LASIK and Laser Vision Correction center. We have built our reputation on integrity and the highest standards of care. We provide high quality eye care to patients throughout South Florida. In addition, patients are referred to us from other eye doctors from around the United States and have been sent from many other countries. At the Braverman Eye Center you are a very important patient. We pride ourselves on providing the most professional and personal Ophthalmologic care possible. We will do our best to honor your trust by providing the quality of care you require and deserve because your vision is truly our vision.

Presbyopic Lensectomy is a great alternative for patients who are seeking LASIK but are not good candidates because they are out of the treatment range. Lensectomy means the removal of the eye’s natural lens that focuses the incoming and outgoing light rays. This natural lens is replaced with an acrylic high technology intra-ocular lens. This technology has been used around the world for many years and has recently become more accepted in the United States. It’s popularity in the United States has been boosted because of the FDA’s recent approval of deluxe intra-ocular lens implants that enable patients to see both at distance and at near without glasses. It is a great treatment for patients who require not only distance glasses, but near glasses as well. FDA studies on the Presbyopic implant have shown that over 93% of patients will not need to wear distance or computer glasses and that over 84% of patients will not need reading glasses, whereas 100% of these patients needed distance and reading glasses preoperatively; and, since the FDA studies, as we have gained more experience, the results are even better! We also use these high technology implants in upgraded cataract surgery.

Normal Lens Cloudy Lens (Cataract)

Lightraysenteringthe eye

Normal Lens

Retina

Light focuseson the retina

Light raysenteringthe eye

cloudy lensLight scatters

DR. STEPHEN VENOKUR,OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANMany of my colleagues recommended Dr. Braverman as their surgeon of choice. His reputation as a doctor with extraordinary surgical skills made my decision an easy one. Everyone at the Braverman Eye Center displayed professionalism

and understanding from the start to the finish. I am extremely happy with my post surgical vision and will refer all my patients to Dr. Braverman for their Lasik and cataract surgeries!

NISSAN BEN NISSAN - CATARACT Excellent!! With Multifocal lenses implanted in both of my eyes, I am seeing like I did when I was twenty years old. My son is an Eye Doctor. He recommended me to Dr. Braverman and said that he was the finest cataract surgeon that he knows. He was right.

DR. STAN ROEVER, OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANI have done Pre Op, Post Op, and follow-up care for Dr. Stanley Braverman. I have always been impressed by Dr. Braverman’s surgical results. Just recently it was my turn to be inthe examining chair and on the surgical table and, without a doubt, Dr. Braverman is one of the best in his field!

DR. STEVE MORRIS, OPTOMETRIC PHYSICIANDr. Braverman is not just a skilled surgeon, but he has an extra ingredient. He cares about his patients. I not only send my patients to him but he has also operated on my wife, my daughter and me and everyone I send says the same thing. He treats them as if they were all part of his own family.

ROSE ALLBRITTONPRESBYOPIC LENSECTOMYDr. Braverman, I want to thank you for taking the time to explain the Presbyopic Lensectomy procedure to my husband and I. From the time we stepped into your office, we felt at home and that I was important to

you. I can call and ask you anything and you and your office staff are there, no matter how busy. I am so very glad that I had it done. It has opened up a world of complete freedom for me. At school with children, whether on the computer or reading, or outside at recess, my eye-sight is great. No more foggy glasses in South Florida, wonderful! Waking up and not reaching for my glasses, amazing! When I look into my eyes and feel young again, an extra bonus. I love you all.

ANNA ROSS - CATARACTBefore surgery, I couldn’t see because my cataracts had gotten so bad. I found myself staying home a lot. After my first surgery, I opened my eyes and I saw immediately! The colors were amazing. After my second cataract was done, I could not believe how beautiful everything was! It was like everything was new! With these upgraded multifocal implants, I see and feel like a kid.

ROSALIND BRAVERMAN - CATARACTDr. Braverman’s mother and a happy Rezoom multifocal lens implant patient. Uncorrected distance and near vision of 20/20! She drives without glasses and reads the fine print in the newspaper without glasses!

DEBRA FORD - CATARACTWhen I came to Dr. Braverman I was very afraid I was going blind! I received an examination that covered every aspect of my eyes. After receiving all of the results, Dr. Braverman explained the results of my tests in detail.He gave me choices and together we decided what was best for me.

I was well informed and able to make a logical decision! The surgery day was the most wonderful day of my life. I now feel and see as if I am 25 years old again... I can see without glasses, even to read thanks to those wonderful multifocal implants!!! My life is wonderful!!! Thank you Dr. Braverman!!!

CHARLY ROSSIN - LENSECTOMYWords cannot express my feelings for giving me my sight ... for the very first time! Since birth I was legally blind in my right eye and close to “the same” with my left (good) eye. Glasses could not even correct my vision well enough for daily tasks. Now at age 59, I literally have a new vision of my life. What a “miracle” for me! Life is so full of new possibilities.

Frequently Asked QuestionsCATARACT SURGERY

What is a cataract?A cataract is formed when the natural lens of the eye, responsible for focusing light and producing sharp images, becomes cloudy and hardens, resulting in a loss of visual function. The lens of the eye is clear at birth, but is one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of aging. A cataract is painless and usually develops gradually over several months or years. Normally, the onset of a cataract in one or both eyes may cause decreased night vision, impaired depth perception, and increased color distortion.Who is affected?Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss among adults age 55 and older. In fact, poor vision from cataracts affects 60 percent of all adults over age 60. However, cataracts affect all ages as they also can result from injury, heredity, or medications.How are cataracts diagnosed?There is no single, valid, objective test that indicates the presence of an operable cataract. Dr. Braverman analyzes patient symptoms, performs a comprehensive eye exam and may test for glare disability and contrast sensitivity to make a diagnosis. The final decision to proceed with the surgery lies with the patient.How are cataracts treated?Your optometrist or Dr. Braverman may prescribe glasses, medication or surgery depending on the symptoms, complaints and age of the patient. Usually no surgery is recommended until glasses no longer work to make you visually happy.What is cataract surgery?Cataract surgery is the removal of your cloudy natural lens. Your cloudy natural lens is usually dissolved using high frequency ultrasound through less than a 3 millimeter opening. An artificial lens is then implanted. The surgery continues to improve with such recent developments as no-stitch surgery, topical anesthesia, surgical correction of astigmatism and new upgraded lens designs. It takes a few months for the eye to heal completely, but the patient is able to return to normal activity almost immediately after surgery and usually sees well within days.How successful is cataract surgery?If an eye is otherwise healthy, cataract surgery has an overall success rate of over 98%. Continuous innovations in cataract surgery allow cataract surgeons to treat greater numbers of patients with every passing year.How does cataract surgery improve quality of life?Cataract surgery has provided improved quality of life for millions of Americans by increasing their independence through improved vision – the ability to see!!

ABOUT OUR SURGEONDR. STANLEY BRAvERMAN

Dr. Stanley Braverman has been in the private practice of ophthalmology since 1981 in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Dr. Braverman specializes in no-stitch cataract surgery, Presbyopia Surgery and Laser Vision Correction Refractive Corneal surgery. Dr. Braverman graduated from the University of Miami in 1972 and the University of Miami School of Medicine in 1976. He completed his residency in ophthalmology at the world famous Duke

University Eye Center. He has been in private practice since 1981 and has personally done over 20,000 cataract and refractive procedures. He has been performing refractive corneal surgery since 1990 and laser vision correction Refractive Corneal surgery since 1996 when it was first approved by the FDA. Dr. Braverman is a certified proctor for Laser Vision Correction, teaching many other ophthalmologists how to perform LASIK and ASA (Advanced Surface Ablation) surgical techniques. He is a former medical director for TLC, The Laser Center, and has performed thousands of LASIK and other refractive corneal surgery procedures. He has also performed thousands of multifocal implants and has been doing small incision no stitch cataract surgery with multifocal implants since 1997. Dr. Braverman has served as Chief of Ophthalmology at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood, Florida. Dr. Braverman is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Houston School of Optometry and a Clinical Associate Professor at the Nova Southeastern College of Optometry and the New England College of Optometry. He is also a Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor in Ophthalmology at the University of Miami School of Medicine’s Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. He has been listed in multiple Who’s Who in America. Dr. Braverman is one of only a handful of ophthalmologists in South Florida that is actively involved in teaching the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute third year residents how to do successful and efficient cataract surgery.A recent Chief Resident at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute had this to say about Dr. Braverman recently: “......We (current and past residents) are so grateful to you for all of the time you spend teaching us valuable skills in the OR. Your dedication to the training and development of future surgeons is greatly appreciated......” Dr. Braverman has been chosen many times and continues to be chosen to be the eye surgeon that other eye doctors and physicians choose for themselves and their families.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT CATARACTS AND WATCH VIDEOS ON THE WEB AT

www.bravermaneyecenter.com

CATARACT

and PRESBYOPIC

LENSECTOMY

SURGERY

BRAVERMAN EYE

CENTERWHERE YOUR VIS ION IS OUR VIS ION

1935 East Hallandale Beach Blvd.

Hallandale Beach, Florida 33009

__________

954-458-2112

1-800-92-EYES-1

Fax: 954-458-7186

__________

www.bravermaneyecenter.com

Frequently Asked QuestionsTHE MULTIFOCAL LENS AND THE PROCEDURE

Will I still need to wear glasses if my surgeon recommends a Multifocal Lens?The results will vary depending upon your vision, lifestyle and the anatomy of your eyes. People may find that they need glasses to read very small type or drive at night in unfamiliar areas. Most people, however, can go to the store or conduct many of their daily activities without depending on glasses. In a clinical study, 92% of those who received the upgraded Multifocal Lenses “never” or only “occasionally” needed to wear glasses.How is the Multifocal Lens different from traditional monofocal intraocular lenses?Unlike traditional monofocal (single-vision) lens implants, the Multifocal Lens provides quality vision at all distances – near (reading), intermediate (computer use or cooking), and far (driving). Traditional monofocal lenses usually provide good vision only at one distance with limited ability to see objects that are at other distances without glasses.How does the Multifocal Lens replace the eye’s natural lens?The natural lens inside the eye is gently removed through a tiny incision in the periphery of your eye’s cornea. The lens implant is then inserted in its place to permanently replace the natural lens. The procedure usually takes about 15 to 30 minutes.What if my medical history or current medication prevents me from considering an injection of local anesthesia?Today, anesthesia is usually administered topically. Surgery is done on an outpatient basis. This means no injection is required, and the medication numbs the eye without entering the bloodstream. Dr. Braverman can tell you if this is an appropriate option for you.How long after surgery until I see my best?Like most procedures, this depends upon the overall health of your eye. For most people, vision is noticeably better immediately or within the first 3-5 days and continues to improve during the first few weeks after the procedure.Does the Multifocal Lens require an adjustment period?Yes. For most people there is a period of weeks when your brain is learning to “see” up close and at a distance with the new lens. This adjustment period is usually complete within 6 to 12 weeks or after the second eye is done. Also, like all multifocal lenses, some people report halos or glare around lights. Again, for most people this diminishes over time. For some, it becomes less troublesome but never completely goes away. Most people report that the ability to see near, intermediate and far outweighs any visual side effects associated with the lens.Are there any risks of having the Multifocal Lens procedure?As with any surgical procedure there are risks. The biggest risk with any cataract procedure is infection. Fewer than .05% of patients having a lens implant procedure ever get an infection and most are treated successfully with medications and surgery. Infections, however, can cause a severe or total loss of vision. Ask Dr. Braverman or a member of his staff to go over the other risks with you.