A cataract is clouding that develops inside the natural lens of your eye.  This cloud blocks the light passing through the lens, which may impair and distort your vision.

Often, the first sign of a cataract is cloudy or distorted vision.  The cloud is often perceived as yellow-brown or gray.  You may be bothered by poor depth perception, halos around lights at night or glare.  Some patients complain of difficulty seeing street signs and reading.

This may include the following:

• “I have trouble reading small print.”
• “I have trouble driving because of poor vision.”
• “I had difficulty passing the vision test for a driver’s license.”
•  “I have trouble seeing my phone or tablet”
• “Glare at night or in bright sunshine affects my vision.”
• “My glasses prescription needs to be changed frequently.”
• “My glasses always seem dirty.”
• “I can’t see street signs when I’m driving.”
• “It’s hard to see the golf ball.”
• “I’m having trouble sewing or with other fine work.”
• “I see halos around light or have double image vision.”
• “Colors do not look right.”
• “I have trouble recognizing faces.”
• “It’s becoming more difficult to write checks or fill out forms.”
• “I can’t read the computer screen.”
• “Television is not clear.  I can’t read the words on the screen.”

Cataracts have many causes.  They may include the following:

• Aging (most common cause)
• Diabetes and some other diseases
• Medicines (especially steroids- like prednisone)
• Past eye infections
• Previous eye injury
• Previous eye surgery
• Possibly excessive sunlight or UV radiation

Years ago, patients were told to wait until the cataract was “ripe”.  “Ripe” meant blind.  No one should wait for blindness.  Today we have modern techniques that can help long before blindness.  Most patients request surgical treatment for cataracts when they cannot function adequately due to poor eyesight.

We use a small incision phacoemulsification (ultrasound) method. Our board-certified surgeons, aided by a computer-controlled ultrasonic device, remove the cataract. The surgery is done under a local anesthetic and for most patients is painless.  It takes about 15 minutes to perform.

Yes. The board-certified surgeons at Eye Associates of Tucson are among a select group of doctors to perform laser-assisted cataract surgery in the United States. Our doctors have been performing laser cataract surgery since 2012. Our doctors were among the first surgeons in Southern Arizona to offer laser cataract surgery.

Laser assisted cataract surgery is an advanced technology.  The Femtosecond laser is a computer- guided, surgeon-controlled laser that is used for greater surgical precision.  A custom-guided laser is programmed for the most precise treatment on each individual patient.  The femtosecond laser automates what are typically very challenging steps in traditional cataract surgery. It helps to decrease astigmatism via laser rather than a manual incision during the time of cataract surgery.  This can lessen the dependency on glasses post operatively.

No. This is a non-covered expense.  There is an additional charge for laser assisted cataract surgery.

Yes.  There are now new advanced technology lens implants that can provide patients with an increased freedom from glasses. These implants are called multifocal or accommodating lenses. The doctor will let you know if you are good candidate for a premium lens.

Yes. This is known as monovision. You can have one lens implant set for distance and the other for near. We often don’t’ suggest this option unless you have experienced this in the past. For monovision to work best astigmatism correction is often needed.

Yes.  There is a lens called the “Acrysof Toric” implant that can correct corneal astigmatism.  The reduction of astigmatism can decrease your dependency on glasses for distance vision.  You will still need glasses for reading however most patients are able to read comfortably with over the counter reading glasses.

Lasik and RK both work by changing the shape of the cornea. This can make selecting the lens implant for you more difficult, however, the results are still very good.

Yes. Lasik and RK both work by changing the shape of the cornea. This can make selecting the lens implant for you more difficult, however, the results are still very good.

This is usually not recommended.

As you know, all surgeries carry some risk.  With respect to cataract surgery, there is always the possibility that a complication may arise during or after surgery.  We always explain these risks before surgery.  The major risks of surgery include: bleeding, infection and problems with the retina. The need for further surgery, complete loss of vision or loss of the eye is unlikely.

With use of foldable intraocular lens implants, the incision has been reduced to just a few millimeters. This allows for a faster recovery from surgery.  Like with other types of surgery, the small incision technique has made a good operation even better.

With the older conventional cataract surgery, a large incision was needed.  This larger incision required several nylon sutures to safely secure the eye.  The use of multiple sutures can cause a change in the shape of the eye or astigmatism. The stitches can be irritating and sometimes need to be removed.  We use a self-sealing incision that usually does not require any suture at all. 

Yes. After your cataract is removed you will need a lens implant to see properly.  A new lens is implanted at the time of cataract surgery.  This restores your eye to a near natural state.  The lens should last the rest of your life.  The lens implant is a new manufactured lens and is not a transplant or donated lens.

The new lens is not stitched or clipped in place.  It is designed to fit into the capsule or shell remaining from the original lens (cataract).  Your new implant will most likely never need to be changed or replaced.

You may see clearly on the very first day after surgery.  Most patients agree that vision returns quickly.  Some patients may experience slightly blurred vision for a few weeks.

We recommend that you do not do any heavy lifting, bending or strenuous activity for one week.  It is also recommended that you do not swim for two weeks. We will provide you a more detailed list of limitations.

No, you will be unable to drive the day of surgery.  We also recommend that you be driven to your first day postoperative appointment.  Most patients, after checking with their doctor, return to driving 24 hours following surgery. 

Yes.  We ask that you start drops one day before surgery and continue for a few weeks after.  Instructions will be provided, as to the number of drops and times per day.

Surgery is done on an outpatient basis.  You may not eat or drink anything eight (8) hours before surgery.  You should wear comfortable clothing and avoid eye makeup. Wear a loose-fitting shirt.  When you arrive for surgery, you will be given eye drops and perhaps a sedative to help you relax.  A local anesthetic will numb your eye.  The skin around your eye will be cleansed, and a sterile covering will be placed.  You may see light and movement but you will not be able to see the surgery while it is happening.

General anesthesia or “being put to sleep” is unnecessary for routine cataract surgery.  Nearly all cataract surgery can be done by numbing only the area that will be operated on.  For this reason, we use a local anesthesia with sedation (twilight). Most patients do not experience significant pain.

You may see light and sense some movement but you will not see the surgery while it is happening. Many patients report seeing colorful lights.

Yes.  We ask that you return to the clinic the day after surgery, or sometimes, the same day as surgery if your surgery is in the morning. A doctor in our group will check your eye and the technician will go over postoperative instructions with you.

You should be able to see as well as you saw before you developed the cataract.  Many people do see 20/20.  This is not true for everyone.  Examples of factors that sometimes prevent perfect vision are:  glaucoma, diabetes and macular degeneration.  It is not uncommon for vision to be blurry in the days after surgery.

Yes. We will schedule another visit one to two weeks later and then several months after that.  Of course, you can have as many appointments as you need.  A prescription for a new pair of glasses will be given once your eye is stable.  This is usually at the two week visit after surgery on the second eye, if having cataract surgery performed on both.

Most people will require glasses to fine-tune their vision after surgery.  However, it is common for patients after cataract surgery to require glasses only for all close activities, with the standard (monofocal) lenses and not for distance vision.  It is more likely to require glasses if you have an astigmatism in your glasses prescription and this is not fixed at the time of surgery.

No.  To be safe, only one eye is operated on at a time.  You can have surgery on the second eye as soon as one to two weeks later.  There are certain circumstances when we do recommend waiting longer. 

No.  But later, some patients notice their vision isn’t as good as it was after surgery.  This is usually due to what we call a secondary cataract.  It is a hazy area that sometimes develops on a normal membrane inside your eye. This is normal and happens eventually in all patients. This can happen months or even years after successful cataract surgery. A secondary cataract can be corrected quickly and easily using the YAG laser. The laser procedure takes just a few minutes.  It is painless and does not require anesthesia.

If needed, you can fly right after surgery.

We prefer, if possible, you be available for post-operative visits at least the first week after surgery. If you need to travel out of state or out of the country, we can offer suggestions for follow-up.

You can start your cataract journey with us within 2 weeks. Prior to surgery we need to do a measurement.  These tests measure your eye to allow us to select the right lens implant for your eye.  If you wear soft contact lenses please remove them 3 days prior to the measurements.  Leaving contact lenses out allows your cornea to return to its natural shape and gives us more accurate readings.

The insurance company pays for multiple things aside from copays or deductibles for surgeon fees, anesthesiologist fees, and out-patient surgery center costs.

Insurance does not pay for laser-assisted cataract surgery or premium lens implants (Toric of Multifocal).

No. The standard cataract surgery is covered by your insurance. The standard cataract surgery is still an excellent sight-restoring procedure. The laser is not covered, since it helps to decrease your dependency on glasses by decreasing astigmatism.

Our surgery coordinators can help you understand the costs associated with this. If there are any costs, you may have a copay, deductible, or co-insurance that is required by your insurance company.

Yes.  We are registered with Care Credit.  If you would like an application please ask our receptionists.  You can also apply online at www.carecredit.com or call 800-365-8295 to apply today.