Cataract Surgery
Headed by a team of nationally recognized surgeons with access to the most cutting-edge technology and supported by an ongoing commitment to advancement through research, Northwestern’s cataract surgery service is a leader in the field. Cataract surgery is the most commonly performed eye surgery procedure at Northwestern. Our expertise lies both in routine elective cataract surgery as well as managing patients who are unhappy with the outcome of operations performed elsewhere. We have significant experience with most recent advances in the field, including femtosecond laser cataract surgery, intraoperative surgical guidance systems, zepto capsulotomy, intraocular lens exchange and Yamane intrascleral fixation techniques.
Education
Cataract surgical training is a major part of residency surgical training in our ophthalmology residency program. We use a combination of simulation technology (with EyeSi surgical simulator), wet lab training and supervised surgical training in cataract surgery for our residents. Each year, we host a unique workshop for residents from the Midwest, the Northwestern Phacoemulsification Training Course for Residents. The program is the only one in the country that has a customized curriculum for surgical teaching for each year of residency training and includes both didactic as well as wet lab training. Advanced cataract surgical training is also included in a fellowship program we offer in Cornea, Cataract & Refractive Surgery Research. For practicing eye surgeons, we conduct an annual educational symposium on recent advances in cataract surgery. This symposium has a strong track record of hosting world-renowned keynote speakers and provides an update on recent advances in the field of cataract surgery.
Research
Contributing to new knowledge is an important priority for our cataract service. Multiple research projects are ongoing, including femtosecond laser capsulotomy centration, precision of zepto capsulotomy, toric IOL outcomes, IOLMaster 700 SSOCT and advanced surgical techniques for intrascleral fixation. Work is done in collaboration with clinical colleagues locally as well as nationally.