Latest & Greatest Cataract Surgery Technology Now Available in CMC

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. Now, thanks to Dr. Domenic J. Pastore and the staff of AtlantiCare Surgical Center, Cape May County now affords patients with cataract issues the best possible surgical option.
As Dr. Pastore explains, a cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye that affects vision. The most prevalent sign of the existence of cataracts is poor distance vision. “Patients typically experience glare during the day and see stars and halos clouding their distance vision at night,” he continues. When a patient details such experiences, Dr. Pastore’s first course of action is to thoroughly check the vision. After assessing the patient’s performance with a vision chart, he then physically evaluates the eye pressure and retinal tissue. If these appear to be healthy, Dr. Pastore typically finds that cataracts are the central issue. The eyes are dilated in order to evaluate the severity of cataracts and “grade” them on a scale of 1 to 4. With this process complete, it is time to discuss surgical options.
Cataract surgery has evolved in major ways in its most recent history. In the past, ophthalmological surgeons were limited to manual cataract removal which was done by a large incision in the eye. Though moderately effective, this technique often caused collateral damage to ocular tissue. When ultrasound technology became available for use in cataract surgery, surgeons rejoiced at how much simpler and more precise the procedure became. Through this technique, formally called phacoemulsification, an ultrasonic handpiece is used to break down the cataract. This remains one of the most commonly used techniques today.
“After phacoemulsification technology was released, ophthalmologists felt that we had reached a pinnacle in advancements. We had rested at that level of technology for so long, so I honestly never thought that I’d see something even greater come along in the field of cataract surgery,” states Dr. Pastore. Little did he know at that time that he would go on to perform the very first cases of later cataract surgery in Cape May County on July 30, 2014.
A Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Chief of Ophthalmology at Cape Regional Medical Center, Pastore used the Lens- X femtolaser, an FDA approved rapid pulse laser, to make all incisions and dissect the cataract in ten consecutive patients on that day. Cape May County is now one of the few Counties in the state of New Jersey to offer this technology. “I would say that the introduction of the Lens-X femtolaser is definitely the most exciting advancement I’ve witness over my career. This is the next step towards totally computerized cataract surgery. All incisions and breakup of the cataract are done by a computerized laser. There are no more blades used and surgical accuracy and reproducibility is now maximized in a truly comfortable and state-of-the-art fashion.”
Dr. Pastore, with the help of his team of seasoned nurses, can now complete 90% of this surgery with just the touch of a button. The laser itself takes only 45 seconds, and the implant is then put in place. Recovery time is cut down considerably and the trauma to the eye is virtually zero. Dr. Pastore is proud to avail this cutting edge procedure, predominantly offered only in major U.S. cities, to the Cape May County community. For more information on cataracts and the Lens-X Femtolaser, contact Dr. Pastore’s Cape May Court House office at (609) 465-0404 or his Somers Point practice at (609) 653-1800.
-Meg Kummer