Cataract surgery only takes 10 min.

(WTNH) - As we grow older, our vision weakens. But, major advancements in medical technology are focused on keeping our eyes sharp, well into the golden years. News Channel 8 found out the latest FDA procedure in cataract surgery is helping a Trumbull dentist to see clearly.

Ken Catandella is a dentist faced with dwindling eyesight. "I have worn glasses for many years," Dr. Catandella, a cataract patient, said. "But I noticed that my eyes have to be checked more often, I needed glasses more often."

After undergoing cataract surgery in his right eye, he can now read the small print at a follow-up visit.

"And finally an anti-infection coating on your lenses makes it easier to drive at night very good," Dr. Catandella said.

Opthalmologist, Dr. Jonathan Stein, was the first to use the latest FDA approved cataract lens in Connecticut -- a multi-focal lens -- so that Ken can get rid of his glasses.

"It has rings in the optic that are designed to make two focal points for the light, one for distance and one for up close," said Dr. Stein, an Opthalmic Consultant of Connecticut.

Dr. Stein said when cataracts develop, the lens becomes cloudy, blurring a patient's vision.

"There is no medical therapy, there is no eyedrop, there is no diet to fix a cataract," Dr. Stein said. "The bottom line is the lens needs to be replaced with a man made lens which is crystal clear."

"I was trying to avoid the cataracts getting worse and my vision suffering," Dr. Catandella said. "As you can imagine as a dentist, I can't afford that."

The implantation takes about 10 minutes.

"We cut a hole in the natural lining of the natural lens, and we vacuum it out and we insert a man-made lens back inside its place," Dr. Stein said.

Waiting to have his left eye done, Ken is wearing glasses with a bifocal on the left and window pane over the right eye.

"I can't wait to get it done so that I can have a ceremony to bury all my glasses," he said.

Dr. Stein said it is standard procedure to do one eye at a time, to minimize the risks involved in eye surgery.

Early symptoms for cataracts include not seeing clearly due to the glare from sunlight and glare from headlights.