St. Anthony first hospital in area to offer latest technology for cataract surgery

WARWICK — The most common symptoms include blurred vision. And headlights may seem too bright making driving at night, against oncoming traffic, more difficult. These symptoms could be an indication of the early stages of cataracts and when they have progressed to the point that your vision is seriously impaired, your ophthalmologist may recommend surgery, a relatively simple, painless procedure to restore your vision. St. Anthony Community Hospital is the first facility in Orange County to offer the newest technology in cataract removal, the Alcon Infiniti Vision System. “The Infiniti removes cataracts more easily and with less energy than other cataract removal systems and this makes it safer for the patient’s eye,” said Dr. Mandes R. Kates. Kates is a board certified ophthalmologist associated with St. Anthony Community Hospital. His office is at Warwick Eye Center, 35 Ronald Reagan Boulevard, Warwick. The Infiniti features an improved, lower energy ultrasound hand instrument that is lighter and provides greater control to the surgeon. It offers increased flexibility and greater options for the surgeons with more control over the lens-removal procedure, which potentially offers the reduced risk of complications. Another major benefit to the patient is that recovery from cataract surgery may be faster when the Infiniti is used, because less energy is used when removing the cataract.