Dr. Lin specializes in cataract and glaucoma surgery with years of experience having done thousands of cases.  Even more important than the surgery themselves is a comprehensive preoperative evaluation.  It is important to discuss what you expect out of surgery in order to choose the most appropriate surgical option.  Surgery has become much more advanced and individualized and we can make personalized recommendations after a thorough clinical evaluation. 

Standard cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and implanting an artificial replacement lens in the eye.  It helps people to see more clealry afterwards, but one will often still be dependent on glasses.  Premium cataract surgery involves the utilization of laser and automation to improve safety of the procedure and decrease recovery time.  We can also use dvanced technology lenses that improve refractive outcome and reduce dependancy on glasses. For example, one can correct astigmatism at the time of surgery to improve the ability to drive and play sports without having to wear glasses.  It is the easiest to discuss the surgical options relevant to your situation after a clinical examination, but some available options are presented here for your review.

Glaucoma surgery either creates a surgical drain or augments the existing drain in your eye to help you control eye pressure and reduce the rate of disease progression.  Glaucoma progresses more rapidly when your eye pressure is not well controlled.  The eye has an internal circulation of fluid called aqueous.  It bring the eye oxygen and nutrients.  It is constantly produced, circulates inside the eye, and then drained out of the eye.  It is the balance between aqueous production and drainage that gives you your eye pressure.  In glaucoma, eye pressure is usally too high due to a reduction in outflow of your natural drain.  The drain consisits of a filter, called the Trabecular Meshwork (TM), and collection channels, called Schlemm's Canal (SC) .  Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) tries improve the outflow through your natural drainage systemic by making opening (goniotomy) and implanting devices (iStent, Hydrus) on the TM,  cleaning out the SC (canaloplasty), or a combination of both (Omni, VIA 360).  MIGS is considered safer and can be combined with cataract surgery, but it often produces a smaller amount of pressure reduction compared to Traditional Glaucoma Surgery (TGS).  MIGS also requires a normal, open angle anatomy.   Traditional Glaucoma Surgery (TGS) involves creating a surgical drain apart from the TM and SC.  These surgeries include Trabeculectomy, Tube Shunt, and Xen Microsent.  These surgeries can lower pressure significantly but have a higher risk profile.  It is often used in cases where pressures are very high or in severe glaucoma where low pressure is needed to control the disease.  Lastly, it is possible to reduce inflow by lasering the Ciliary Body (CB), which produces the aqueous.  The procedure is called Cyclophotocoagulation (CPC) and it is typicall reserved for eyes that have failed prior surgeries or have limited visual prognosis.  Click here for educational videos on glaucoma surgery.