Cataracts

Cataracts are the leading cause of visual loss in adults 55 and over. Fortunately, we live when correcting cataracts is relatively simple and the results can be extraordinary.
Cataracts are a natural part of aging. Clouding of the natural lens of your eye works just like the lens of the camera to help you focus on images. Vision with cataracts has been described as seeing life through old, cloudy film.

A lot of times people come in for a new prescription and find out they have cataracts and end up leaving with a new pair of eyes.

When is the best time to treat cataracts?

It used to be that cataracts had to be removed when they were noticeably affecting and substantially affecting a patient’s day-to-day vision. Today, cataract surgery is a routine procedure that can be performed as soon as your vision interferes with the quality of your life.

What exactly does cataract surgery do?

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures performed today. The operation makes a tiny incision in the eye. Through this tiny incision, the surgeon inserts an instrument about the size of top of the pen. Once the cataract, or cloudy lens, is removed, a cataract replacement lens is inserted through the same tiny incision and set into position to replace the natural lens.

What can I expect following cataract surgery?

Most patients typically return home the very same day they have cataract surgery. Eye drops are prescribed to guard against infection and help your eye heal. For a few days, you may need to wear an eye patch to keep away irritants. Everyone heals differently, but most patients see well enough to return to most of their routine activities within a few days of recovery.

How long is the process from diagnosing the cataract to getting the surgery completed?

A cataract is a progressive eye disease and depending on which type you are diagnosed with determines the length of time in which surgery may be needed. Usually once a patient has been diagnosed with cataracts, we can immediately set up appointments for the cataract evaluations. Surgery can be performed as soon as two weeks once diagnosed to whenever the patient desires in regards to her/his schedule. Sometimes other eye factors play a role in the process and may delay the scheduling date. Most patients schedule both eyes together with our surgery coordinator and the surgeries are done separately approximately 4-5 weeks apart.

How much of cataract surgery is covered by insurance or Medicare?

Medicare and most insurances cover all of the surgery minus the deductibles. E.g. Medicare covers 80% and a patient’s secondary insurance will pick up the rest. However if a patient only has one insurance, they will need to pay the deductible, if that deductible has not been met for that year. The amount varies depending on insurances. A patient can discover this by looking at their insurance card and making a phone call if they feel the need to obtain detailed insurance information.

What happens if cataracts go untreated?

The clouded areas of your lens can become larger and denser, causing your sight to become much worse. This could take anywhere from a few month to many years. Eventually the entire lens can cloud over and cause blindness.

What is an IOL (intraocular lens)?

An intraocular lens (IOL) is the replacement lens that is put into the eye to replace the existing clouded lens during cataract surgery.