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, called the trabecular meshwork (TM).  Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS) tries improve the outflow throught the TM by making small openings (goniotomy, OMNI) or implanting devices (iStent, Hydrus) that help the aquous percolate through the drainage system.  MIGS is considered safer and can often be combined with cataract surgery, but it is also less effective.  MIGS can be considered if one needs a mild improvement in pressure control and it is often used in mild to moderate glaucoma.  Traditional Glaucoma Surgery (TGS) involves creating a surgical drain apart from the TM.  These surgeries include Trabeculectomy, Tube Shunt, and Xen Microsent.  These surgeries can lower pressure significantly but have a slightly higher risk profile.  It is often used in cases where pressures are very high or in moderate to 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 and it is typicall reserved for eyes that have failed prior surgeries or has limited visual prognosis.  Click here for educational videos on glaucoma surgery.