Cataracts

Cataracts & Surgical Co-Management

During the early stages of cataract development, your optometrist will most likely increase your eyewear prescription to help keep your cataracts from impacting your lifestyle. However, once cataracts begin to significantly obscure your vision, we normally recommend surgery to remove them. Cataract surgery is typically performed in an outpatient setting and the patient returns home after the procedure.

The operation begins by making a small incision in the side of the cornea. Then, using either a laser or an ultrasonic device, the ophthalmologist gently removes the affected lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens, or IOL. The IOL functions the same way your natural lens does, and provides excellent postoperative visual performance in almost all cases.

Significant advances in IOL technology over the last decade now give you the ability to select one of several IOLs to meet your individual visual needs. Medical Optometry America optometrists work together with clinical leaders in ophthalmology and will carefully guide you through this process to promote the best possible outcome.

Our patients typically report nearly full visual clarity after recovering from cataract surgery. You may or may not need glasses after cataract surgery depending on the type of IOL you select.

“Visiting your optometrist regularly allows us to optimize your vision, even as it continues to change due to cataracts. We can make day-to-day life a little bit easier for you. Cataracts typically develop slowly, so without a regular eye physical, your vision may already be impaired before you realize that something is wrong.”