Cataract Surgery
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts form when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, blocking light and blurring vision. Understanding symptoms, risks, and timing helps you make informed choices about care.
Cataracts often develop slowly, so early signs can be easy to overlook.
- Glare from headlights or bright sunlight
- Colors that look faded or yellow
- Double vision in one eye
- Frequent changes in glasses prescriptions
- Difficulty reading in dim lighting
Age is the most common factor, but several conditions and habits can speed up lens clouding.
- Adults over 60
- Family history of cataracts
- Diabetes or other chronic health issues
- Long-term steroid use
- Smoking, heavy alcohol use, or excess sun exposure
- Previous eye injury or surgery
You may be ready for a professional evaluation if cataracts start limiting daily activities.
- Trouble driving at night because of glare
- Difficulty reading even with updated glasses
- Colors that look dull or washed out
Choosing the Right Lens
An intraocular lens, or IOL, replaces the cloudy natural lens during surgery. Each IOL type has unique benefits, and our team will help match your lifestyle and vision goals.
Monofocal IOLs provide clear vision at one fixed distance, usually far away. Reading glasses are often still needed.
With monovision, one eye is set for distance and the other for near tasks. After a short adjustment period, many patients rely less on glasses.
EDOF lenses stretch focus over a wider range, giving crisp distance and intermediate vision. They maintain good contrast and reduce glare, though near tasks may still need reading glasses.
The LAL allows vision to be fine-tuned after surgery through controlled light treatments, offering highly customized results.
These advanced lenses provide clear sight at near, intermediate, and far distances. Some patients notice mild halos or glare in low light, but many enjoy a glasses-free lifestyle.
Toric IOLs correct astigmatism by compensating for an uneven cornea. They can be combined with monofocal, multifocal, or EDOF designs.
Understanding Cataract Surgery
Modern cataract surgery is quick, safe, and highly effective. Knowing the steps and options can ease concerns and improve outcomes.
A comprehensive eye exam measures vision, evaluates lens clarity, and rules out other eye problems.
Checking cataracts early lets us monitor changes and plan the ideal treatment time, making surgery smoother and recovery easier.
Surgery is recommended when blurred or cloudy vision interferes with reading, driving, or recognizing faces. Because cataracts worsen over time, timely removal helps protect independence.
Your first visit includes detailed eye measurements and a discussion of daily activities that shape lens selection.
- Curvature and length measurements of the eye
- Conversation about hobbies, work, and night driving
- Time to ask questions and share any concerns
Femtosecond laser surgery creates precise incisions and softens the lens with light energy, while traditional phacoemulsification uses ultrasound to break up the cataract. Both methods are safe; your surgeon will recommend the best option for your eyes.
The procedure replaces the cloudy lens with a clear IOL in just a few steps.
- Tiny, self-sealing corneal incision
- Ultrasound or laser breaks up and removes the cloudy lens
- Chosen IOL is placed to restore clear vision
Surgery day is streamlined and comfortable.
- Check-in and final measurements
- Mild sedation to help you relax
- Numbing drops for a pain-free experience
- Procedure lasting about 15 minutes per eye
- Short recovery period before heading home
Cataract surgery has a success rate of 98 percent or higher. Our team explains each step, uses gentle techniques, and provides attentive follow-up care to ensure confidence and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers below address common concerns about cataracts and surgery.
No. Once the cloudy lens is removed, cataracts do not return. A thin membrane behind the IOL can cloud later, but a quick laser treatment clears it.
Numbing drops and light sedation keep the eye comfortable. Most patients feel only slight pressure and are surprised by how easy the process is.
Yes. Our surgeons treat cataracts alongside glaucoma, dry eye, corneal, or retinal issues and will tailor a plan for your unique needs.
Many patients notice sharper vision the next day. Vision improves over the first week and usually stabilizes within four to six weeks.
Clear, vibrant vision makes reading, driving, and everyday tasks easier. Reduced glare, fewer falls, and greater independence often lead to a better quality of life.
Take the Next Step Toward Clear Vision
If cloudy vision limits your daily life, our experienced cataract team is ready to help you see brightly again. We look forward to guiding you through every stage of your journey to clearer sight.
I'm so happy I had my cataract surgery here. I had the laser assisted surgery and the care they gave couldn't have been better. I've seen Dr Reing, and Dr Chu and they're very caring doctors.
Doris Corea
I was recently diagnosed with cataracts in both eyes and went to see Dr. Reing at Advanced Eye Care in Randolph who explained the current situation with my cataracts and what would be done surgically to removed them.
CK L
Dr. Feng is a rockstar! I had a posterior capsular cataract that developed in just 2 months and got worse in one year, where I could only make out objects and lost all details in my one eye. Dr. Feng was done with my surgery in 5 minutes!! Dr. Feng is swift, precise, and means business. I like that a lot about her.
Kristina Y
Dr Yazdanie was very knowledgeable & professional! I had an awesome experience with cataract surgery!
Lisa
Dr. Garg is amazing! She is so kind, so informative, never rushes us and makes my 83 year old mother feel comfortable. She was kind and most of all patient with my mother. I can't thank them enough for taking care of my mom's eyes. I will definitely recommend anyone to visit this practice.
Lisette R.