Doctor Phone
Main Number 747-3937
Ray M. Balyeat, MD 749-2220
Todd A. Brockman, MD 742-5513
Marc A. Goldberg, MD 584-4433
Gerard J. Hunter, MD 747-0289
Walter J. Peters, MD 307-0496
J. Matthew Roberts, DO 743-2319
Mark J. Weiss, MD 742-2428
Conveniently located on the 4th floor of the 2000 S. Wheeling, location. Institute Optical has a wide yet selective choice of frames to meet your needs. Institute Optical also offers a variety of optical aids, all at competitive prices. Founded in 1986 Institute Optical has become the cornerstone of the quality medical care provided at the Eye Institute. You may contact Institute Optical at 918-742-6933
 
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A cataract is a clouding or opacification of the lens of the eye. The lens is located directly behind the pupil and is mandatory for the correct focusing of images onto the retina. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision diminishes and there is often a progressive decrease in one's ability to see things clearly.

Because cataracts will often disperse light there is often excessive glare when looking at bright lights or the sun. Cataracts can occur at any age (some children are even born with cataracts) but generally they start appearing as people pass their 40th birthday. Eye injuries can cause cataracts and certain medications (such as steroids) can also cause the lens to opacify. Cataracts often tend to run in families. As cataracts begin to form the vision becomes smudged or hazy. Glare from lights often causes increased difficulty seeing, and one often feels that his or her glasses always seem to be dirty.

As cataracts develop it is often possible to change one's glasses prescription to reacquire clear vision but eventually if the cataract becomes dense enough, it is not possible to correct by changing the prescription. Cataract surgery may become the only way to re-establish clear vision. Certain diseases such as diabetes are associated with an increased incidence of cataracts. Drs. Brockman, Goldberg, Peters and Roberts are all actively involved in performing cataract surgery. With the aid of an operating microscope, a small incision is made and microsurgical instruments are used to fragment the cloudy lens and suction the remnants from the eye. The cloudy lens is replaced with a clear implant lens which is placed back into the eye. Stitches are generally not required and the surgery is usually performed on an out-patient basis.

Most people can return to work shortly after surgery and full activity is usually allowed after two weeks. Over 95% of cataract surgeries are associated with an improvement in vision but as with any surgery, there is always the possibility of complications. There is a small possibility of infection or bleeding in an eye and swelling or detachment of the retina will occasionally occur. If your eye is healthy aside from the cataract, the chances are excellent that you will have a good result from your surgery and see things more clearly and without distortion.