Cataract / Lens Implant Educational Videos
Dr. Chang is considered an authority in the field of "Refractive Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)". To help educate patients about this topic, Dr. Chang wrote the scripts and collaborated with Eyemaginations to develop a series of patient educational videos. Called the “Chang IOL Modules”, these videos are marketed through Eyemaginations and are used by physicians around the Dr. Chang donates his royalties to the humanitarian cataract charities – Project Vision and Himalayan Cataract Project.
Educational VideosDr. Chang In the News
Within ophthalmology, Dr Chang is widely considered one of the leading cataract surgeons, educators, and clinical investigators in the world. In this capacity, he has often been selected by medical associations to respond to media requests for information.
Dr. Chang In the NewsHumanitarian Cataract Surgery
Although curable with surgery, cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in the world, accounting for more than one half of all blindness. Dr. Chang has used his international prominence to highlight and advance several important cataract efforts. He has traveled to many developing countries to perform and teach cataract surgery to local ophthalmologists.
Humanitarian Cataract SurgeryFlomax & Cataract Surgery
The intraoperative floppy iris syndrome was first reported by Drs. David Chang and John Campbell in 2005. This major discovery showed that the most common prostate medications (such as Flomax) cause iris problems during cataract surgery that can lead to many complications if the surgeon does not anticipate them. Dr. Chang has done extensive clinical research and is considered one of the world authorities on how to avoid and manage these problems.
Flomax & Cataract SurgeryConsent Form
Consent for Cataract Removal and Implantation of Intraocular Lens
by David F. Chang, M.D.
The option of cataract removal has been offered to you as a means of improving your vision. The decision to operate, and the timing is elective. The cataract is actually the lens within the eye which has become cloudy. After it is surgically removed, the cloudy human lens will be replaced with an intraocular lens "implant".
The "implant" is a small artificial lens which is permanently implanted into the eye during surgery. It does not require cleaning or removal (as with contact lenses). In addition, conventional glasses are usually prescribed to enhance the focus for certain distances.
Risks of Eye Surgery
As with any operation, there are risks to cataract surgery. Individuals may respond in a unique way to any medical treatment. Although improved modern techniques have greatly reduced the incidence, complications can and do occur. Fortunately, severe complications which can cause loss of vision, such as major internal bleeding or infection, are very rare. Uncommon, but potential ocular complications may also include prolonged elevation of intraocular pressure, corneal clouding, retinal problems such as detachment, and chronic internal inflammation. All of these conditions may arise in an aging eye without surgery, as well.
As with all types of surgery, there can be unpredictable complications of local or general anesthesia, and adverse reactions to medications. It is even conceivable that health problems elsewhere - completely unrelated to surgery - can occur during or close to the time of surgery, simply because of your general state of health.
The purpose of this form is not to frighten you or upset you. Rather, it is to ensure that the decision to undergo cataract surgery has been carefully thought out with regard to the benefits and risks. Fortunately, for most individuals, the chance of success with surgery is over 95%. Without surgery, the visual loss caused by a cataract can not be restored, since the cataract will not spontaneously improve.
Informed Consent for Operation
The basic procedure of cataract surgery and intraocular lens implantation has been explained to me, including the advantages, disadvantages, alternatives, and possible risks. Although it is impossible for Dr. Chang to inform me of every possible complication that could occur, he has answered my questions to my satisfaction. I have read this consent form (or it has been read to me), and understand the possible risks and benefits of having surgery.
David F. Chang, MD is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Harvard College and earned his M.D. at Harvard Medical School. He completed his ophthalmology residency at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he is now a clinical professor. Dr. Chang is serving a 5-year term as chairman of the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) Annual Meeting Program Committee, having previously chaired the Cataract Program Sub-committee.
Dr. Chang's CV
Learn about Dr. Chang’s colaboration with Eyemaginations’ development of 3D eye animations