Cataracts

In the beginning stages, you may notice subtle changes in your vision that come and go. Common early signs include increased sensitivity to glare from headlights, streetlights, or the sun, slight blurring that makes fine details harder to see, and colors appearing less vibrant or slightly yellowed. You might find yourself needing more light for reading or close-up tasks. These early symptoms are easy to dismiss as normal aging, but they often indicate cataract development.

• Blurred or cloudy vision that continues to worsen and cannot be corrected with glasses or contact lenses
• Seeing halos or rings around lights, especially at night, which can make driving dangerous
• Increasing difficulty with night vision and reduced ability to see in low-light conditions
• Double vision in one eye that doesn't go away when you close the other eye
• Frequent changes in your eyeglass or contact lens prescription as your vision continues to decline
• Colors appearing faded, washed out, or yellowed compared to how they used to look

As cataracts progress, they can significantly affect your ability to perform everyday activities safely and comfortably. Reading becomes more difficult and requires brighter lighting or magnification. Driving, especially at night, becomes hazardous due to glare and reduced contrast sensitivity. You may have trouble recognizing faces from a distance, watching television, or doing hobbies that require clear vision. These limitations can reduce your independence and quality of life, making treatment an important consideration.

• Stronger prescription glasses or contact lenses can temporarily improve vision in early cataract stages
• Brighter lighting for reading, cooking, and other close-up tasks helps compensate for reduced vision
• Anti-glare sunglasses reduce light sensitivity and glare from sunlight or headlights
• Magnifying glasses and reading aids make small print easier to see
• Regular monitoring with our ophthalmologists ensures cataracts are tracked and surgery is performed at the optimal time

When cataracts significantly impair your vision and quality of life, surgery is the only effective treatment. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures in all of medicine. During the operation, our ophthalmologists remove your cloudy natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, meaning you go home the same day.

• Monofocal lenses provide excellent vision at one distance, typically far, and most patients need reading glasses for close work
• Multifocal lenses have different zones designed for near, intermediate, and distance vision, potentially reducing dependence on glasses
• Extended depth of focus lenses provide a continuous range of vision with less risk of glare than traditional multifocal lenses
• Accommodating lenses are designed to shift position slightly, mimicking the eye's natural focusing ability
• Toric lenses correct astigmatism in addition to cataracts, providing clearer vision for patients with this common condition

• Dry eye symptoms for several weeks after surgery, managed with artificial tears
• Mild inflammation inside the eye that resolves with prescribed anti-inflammatory drops
• Temporary increases in eye pressure that typically normalize quickly
• Light sensitivity and glare that gradually improves as your eye adjusts to the new lens

• Endophthalmitis, a severe infection inside the eye, occurs in less than 1 in 1000 surgeries and requires immediate treatment
• Retinal detachment happens in approximately 1 percent of patients and may require additional surgery
• Significant bleeding inside the eye is very rare but can affect vision
• Severe inflammation or swelling that doesn't respond to medication
• Dislocation of the lens implant, which may require repositioning

Sometimes months or even years after successful cataract surgery, the thin membrane that holds your lens implant in place can become cloudy. This condition, called posterior capsule opacification or secondary cataract, causes vision to become blurry again. It's not a return of the original cataract but rather clouding of the capsule left behind during surgery. The good news is that this issue is easily treated with a quick, painless laser procedure called YAG capsulotomy that creates an opening in the cloudy capsule and immediately restores clear vision.

Most cataracts begin forming after age 60, though the process often starts earlier with no symptoms. Some people develop cataracts in their 40s or 50s, especially if they have diabetes, previous eye injuries, or take certain medications. Regular eye exams help detect cataracts early before they significantly impact your vision.

The actual surgical procedure takes only 15 to 30 minutes per eye. However, you should plan to spend approximately two hours at our facility for pre-operative preparation, the surgery itself, and post-operative monitoring before you're released to go home.

Yes, cataract surgery is one of the safest surgical procedures performed today. More than 95 percent of patients experience improved vision with minimal or no complications. Our ophthalmologists use advanced technology and proven techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes.

Most patients with standard monofocal lens implants need reading glasses for close work, though they see well at distance without glasses. Premium multifocal or accommodating lenses can reduce or eliminate the need for glasses, though some patients still prefer them for certain tasks. We discuss your vision goals and lifestyle needs to recommend the best lens option for you.

For safety reasons, we typically perform surgery on one eye first and wait one to two weeks before operating on the second eye. This approach allows the first eye to heal and ensures good results before proceeding. It also gives you functional vision in one eye throughout the process.

Most patients notice significantly improved vision within a few days and can resume normal activities within one week. Complete healing takes approximately four to six weeks, though you'll experience steady improvement throughout this time. Your vision continues to stabilize as inflammation resolves completely.

Medicare and most insurance plans cover medically necessary cataract surgery with standard monofocal lenses. Premium lens options that reduce dependence on glasses typically have additional out-of-pocket costs. Our staff helps you understand your insurance benefits and payment options before surgery.

The artificial lens cannot develop a cataract since cataracts only affect natural lenses. However, the capsule holding your lens implant can become cloudy over time in a condition called posterior capsule opacification. This secondary clouding is easily treated with a quick, painless laser procedure that permanently clears the capsule.

Schedule an appointment with our ophthalmologists if blurry vision, glare, or difficulty with daily activities affects your quality of life. Seek immediate care if you experience sudden vision loss, severe eye pain, flashing lights, or a sudden increase in floaters, as these could indicate other serious conditions requiring urgent treatment.

Most patients experience significantly reduced glare and improved contrast sensitivity after surgery, making night driving safer and more comfortable. However, some patients still notice halos around lights, especially with certain premium lens implants. Night vision generally improves but may not be perfect, depending on other factors like your retina health and age.