Cataract Evaluation

Our doctors at Vision Health have years of experience with co-management of cataract surgery. We work with the leading cataract surgeons in our area and provide all pre-operative and post-operative care. As part of the pre-operative process, we will advise you when it is time for surgery, educate you on the surgery experience, and discuss with you all the options of intraocular lenses(IOL). Following surgery, we will cover your post-operative care, meaning we will make sure you are healing as expected, manage any complications following surgery, and provide you with a glasses prescription, if needed, once fully recovered.

What are cataracts?

A cataract is a cloudy or opaque area in the normally clear lens of the eye. Age-related cataracts are by far the most common type of cataract. Cataracts generally develop in people over the age of 55, but it’s possible to have cataracts at any age.

What are the symptoms of cataracts?

Cataracts develop very slowly, so slowly that there may not be any symptoms until they progress to a more dense state.

Common symptoms include:

Blurred or hazy vision.
Increased glare from lights, particularly when driving at night.
Difficulty seeing at night and in low lighting.
Reduced intensity of colors

How are cataracts treated?

The treatment for cataracts is surgery, although that doesn’t mean we recommend surgery when we first diagnose someone with cataracts. Cataract surgery is only required when it progresses to the point that it affects a person’s ability to do normal everyday tasks. Cataract surgery only needs to be performed once per eye,

as the implanted lens does not degrade over time. Just like any other form of surgery, there is a risk, however, cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective types of surgery performed in the U.S. today.

What intra-ocular lens options are available?

There are a few options available to you when deciding what type of vision you would like to have after surgery. Our doctors will evaluate your needs and wants to help you decide which lens option is best for you. As a general rule, there are certain eye conditions that limit which lenses we can use and there is a chance that the surgeon may need to change away from the chosen lens in the operating room. If you have astigmatism, you should consider upgrading to a toric lens (astigmatism correcting lens), otherwise, you will likely still need glasses for some distances.

The following are the lens options available for cataract surgery.

Multifocal IOL. These lenses are specially designed to give you both distance and near vision without the need for glasses. The lens design has alternating far and near rings. These rings provide images to your retina for both distant and near objects. This lens design does not provide excellent intermediate vision, so periodic use of glasses will likely be needed. Toric lenses are available for astigmatism.

Monovision IOL. This option is when we set one eye for distance and the other eye for near. You are required to trial this in contact lenses before choosing this option as not everyone can adapt to this setup. Ideally, you will not need glasses to see most things, however, periodic use of glasses is common. Toric lenses are available for astigmatism.

Extended Range of Focus IOL. This is the newest option available on the market. The lens design is optimized to give you good distance vision and good intermediate vision. Periodic use of reading glasses for near tasks will likely be needed. Toric lenses are available for astigmatism.

Single vision IOL set for distance. This is the standard and most commonly chosen option. The surgeon will attempt to get your distance vision as good as possible and you are guaranteed to need reading glasses. Toric lenses are available for astigmatism.

Single vision IOL set for near. We mainly use this option for people who have been nearsighted there entire lives and would like to stay nearsighted. The surgeon will attempt to get your near vision as good as possible and you are guaranteed to need glasses for distance. Toric lenses are available for astigmatism.

PHONE: 360-357-3410