Cataract Surgery

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts refer to the clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is located behind the iris and pupil. This cloudiness typically develops gradually over time and can lead to blurry or dim vision, increased sensitivity to glare, difficulty seeing at night, and a yellowish tint to colors. While age-related changes are the most common cause of cataracts, other factors such as genetics, certain medications, eye injuries, and medical conditions like diabetes can also contribute to their development.

Diagnosis and Evaluation

At Andre Eye and Optical, we take your experience during cataract surgery and your visual results very seriously. The process starts with a custom appointment with Dr Andre, who will perform a comprehensive eye examination. This examination may include visual acuity tests, pupil dilation to examine the lens and retina, and tonometry to measure intraocular pressure. Specialized photography is used to measure the size of the cataracts, and perform precise calculations for the new lens that will be placed in the eye during the surgery. Dr Andre will also provide a one-on-one review of the different lens options available, and a professional recommendation based on the unique features of your eye. You can read more about these lens options lower on this page.

Treatment Options

While early-stage cataracts may be managed with changes in eyeglass prescriptions and lifestyle modifications, cataract surgery is the only effective treatment for advanced cataracts.

Dr Andre has extensive experience with cataract surgery, including complex cases where the cataract is large or requires additional equipment or techniques to be removed.

Patients often experience significant improvement in vision, including improved night vision and color vision, and today’s technologically advanced lens options can offer a reduced reliance on glasses or contact lenses following cataract surgery.

Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed with microscopic surgical instruments and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. This procedure is highly successful and typically performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia. At the beginning of the surgery, numbing medication is placed in the eye which makes the procedure nearly painless. Dr Andre uses a specialized incision at the front of the eye that is self sealing, not visible to the eye after surgery, and usually reqires no stitches. The procedure takes only about 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of the cataract.

At Andre Eye and Optical, we perform our surgeries at Lavaca County Medical Center which is a top ranked hospital over the last several years! This is a short 20 minute drive from the clinic.

Recovery and Follow-Up Care

Most patients experience a relatively quick and comfortable recovery following cataract surgery, with improved vision noticeable within a few days (sometimes the same day!). It's essential to follow post-operative instructions provided by your surgeon, including the use of prescribed eye drops and avoiding strenuous activities during the initial healing period. Regular follow-up appointments will allow your eye care team to monitor your progress and address any concerns or complications that may arise. Usually you have one appointment immediately after the surgery, and another visit one week later. If you are having surgery on both eyes, the second eye surgery will be done as soon as the first eye has started to heal, usually 1 week after the first eye.

Intraocular Lenses

When the natural lens that has formed a cataract is removed with surgery, a new artificial lens (IOL) is implanted in the eye to provide clear vision after surgery. This lens remains in the eye for life and generally never has to be replaced. Keep reading to find out more about these lenses, and the full spectrum of lens options available at Andre Eye and Optical.

Standard (Monofocal) Intraocular Lenses:

This type of lens is the typical choice for cataract surgery. They are fully covered by most insurance. Don’t let the name fool you though - these lenses offer excellent features including blue light blocking and UV protection for the eye. These lenses are known as Monofocal IOLs: they provide clear vision at one distance, which can be set for near or far. If you choose monofocal IOLs set for distance vision, you will still need glasses (readers) for near activities like reading. Conversely, if set for near vision, glasses may be needed for distance tasks. If you have astigmatism in your eye, you will likely need glasses for best vision at distance and near.

Premium/Advanced Intraocular Lenses:

These lenses offer advanced technology to reduce the need for glasses or contacts after surgery. A portion of the lens cost is covered by insurance, but there is an additional cost not covered by insurance for the testing, evaluation, and purchase cost of the lens and the additional steps of surgery to ensure an ideal outcome. This additional cost, however, is in many ways an investment towards the ability to save thousands of dollars of potential costs of new glasses or contacts in the years after surgery, as well as give the convenience of not having to worry about keeping or using glasses. This could be as many as 30+ years of savings!

Andre Eye and Optical offers competitive pricing for these options - contact us or schedule a cataract consultation visit to find out more

  1. Multifocal IOLs: These lenses are on the cutting edge of lens technology available today. They offer vision correction at multiple distances, in many cases eliminating the need for glasses for both near and far tasks. Multifocal IOLs work by splitting incoming light into different focal points, allowing for clearer vision across various distances. Special imaging studies and calculations, as well as steps during cataract surgery, are performed to match these lenses as perfectly as possible to your eye.

  2. Toric IOLs: These lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism, a condition where the cornea is irregularly shaped, causing blurred vision. Toric IOLs have different powers in different meridians of the lens to address astigmatism and can often reduce or eliminate the need for glasses or contact lenses for either distance or near vision after cataract surgery. Special measurements and surgery steps are taken to make sure your eye gets the full benefit of this lens.

  3. Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs: EDOF lenses provide a continuous range of vision from near to intermediate distances. In some cases, they can eliminate the need for glasses for many distances of vision after surgery. They work by elongating the focal point, allowing for improved vision at various distances without the distinct focal points seen with multifocal lenses.

  4. Monovision: While not a specific type of IOL, monovision is a technique where one eye is corrected for distance vision and the other for near vision. This can be achieved using either monofocal or multifocal IOLs. Monovision can reduce the need for glasses, particularly for activities like reading, but works best for people who are used to this setting with their glasses or contacts before surgery.

Choosing the right type of IOL depends on various factors, including your lifestyle, visual needs, and the health of your eyes. Discussing your options thoroughly at your consultation visit with Dr Andre can help you make an informed decision tailored to your individual needs and preferences.

Secondary Cataract (PCO)

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO), often referred to as a secondary cataract, is a common condition that can occur after cataract surgery. Although cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens, the thin membrane behind the lens, known as the posterior capsule, can become cloudy over time. This clouding can lead to blurred or diminished vision, similar to the symptoms experienced before cataract surgery. It is important to recognize that PCO is a treatable condition and not a sign of a failed cataract procedure.

The most effective treatment for PCO is a procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy. This non-invasive, outpatient procedure is offered in-office at Andre Eye and Optical, and involves using a YAG laser to create an opening in the cloudy posterior capsule, restoring clear vision. During the painless procedure, Dr Andre will use a laser to precisely cut away the opaque tissue, allowing light to pass through to the retina without obstruction. The YAG laser capsulotomy is quick, typically lasting only a few minutes, and requires no incisions or stitches.

After the YAG laser capsulotomy, patients often experience immediate improvement in vision, though some may notice mild discomfort or blurry vision for a short period. Most people can return to their normal activities within a day or two. Regular follow-up appointments with Dr Andre will ensure that your eye heals properly and that vision remains clear. YAG laser capsulotomy is a safe and effective solution for addressing PCO and helps maintain the quality of vision achieved from your initial cataract surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions for Cataract Surgery

  • No matter how strong your prescription, a lens implant is available to restore your prescription back to even (called “plano”). This elimination of the need for very thick glasses can be life changing for those with very high prescriptions.

  • Some people have LASIK or other refractive laser surgery before they develop cataracts. It is still possible to get a great visual outcome after cataract surgery in this case, but the surgery and evaluation process is more complex. Dr Andre has extensive experience with these situations - let us know if you have a history of this kind of eye surgery.

  • Some people have other eye conditions in addition to cataracts. This may make the cataract larger, or make it develop faster. In some cases, this may limit the vision you can achieve after surgery. In other cases, it may be important to treat these other conditions first in order to improve the outcome of your cataract surgery. If you are in this category, Dr Andre will evaluate and discuss this extensively with you before performing cataract surgery.