“I feel like I'm seeing in HD, and I'm so grateful.”
Patricia Shank
Cataract Surgery
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. The lens sits just behind the colored iris and focuses light onto the retina so you can see clearly. As we age, the proteins inside the lens begin to clump together, creating cloudy patches that scatter light instead of focusing it cleanly.
The result is blurred, hazy, or distorted vision that glasses alone cannot fully correct. Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss in older adults — and modern surgery is a safe, well-established way to restore clear, comfortable sight.
Risk Factors for Cataracts
Aging is the primary cause of cataracts, but several other factors can speed the process. Some risk factors are within your control and others are not — maintaining healthy habits may slow progression, though cataracts often develop regardless of how well you care for your eyes.
Common Symptoms to Watch For
01
Blurry or Hazy Vision
Cloudiness that does not clear even with an updated glasses prescription, making everyday tasks harder.
02
Poor Night Vision
Difficulty seeing clearly in low light or after dark, which often makes night driving feel unsafe.
03
Glare and Halos
Rings or starbursts around headlights, streetlights, and lamps, along with increased sensitivity to bright light.
04
Faded or Yellowed Colors
Colors that appear washed out or take on a yellow tint as the clouded lens filters the light you see.
05
Double Vision in One Eye
A doubling or ghosting of images seen with a single eye, distinct from the double vision of other conditions.
06
Frequent Prescription Changes
Needing new glasses more often than usual as the cataract shifts how your eye focuses over time.
See It for Yourself
Watch Dr. Griffiths explain How Cataract Surgery is performed.
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Surgery
We offer femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery using the LENSAR Laser System. A femtosecond laser uses precise pulses of energy to perform key surgical steps, including creating the corneal incision and softening the lens before removal. This laser assistance allows for a high level of precision, especially when positioning toric or premium IOLs. Your cataract surgeon will discuss whether laser-assisted surgery is the right choice for your eye and your goals.
Choosing the
Right Lens (IOL)
Different lenses are designed for different visual goals. The best choice depends on your lifestyle, your eye measurements, and your personal priorities — and your cataract surgeon will review every option with you.
How Cataract Surgery Works
Modern cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and successful procedures in medicine. The goal is to remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens — a quick outpatient visit, with most patients home the same day.
01
Numbing and Sedation
Numbing eye drops keep you comfortable, and mild sedation helps you relax. You stay awake but calm throughout the procedure.
02
A Small Incision
Your surgeon makes a tiny, self-sealing incision in the cornea — small enough that it typically does not require stitches.
03
Lens Removal
Using phacoemulsification, ultrasound energy gently breaks the cloudy lens into tiny pieces that are then removed from the eye.
04
IOL Placement
A foldable intraocular lens is placed in the same natural space, where it unfolds and begins focusing light immediately.
Preventing Infection and Supporting Recovery
Cataract surgery has a very low risk of complications, and following your care plan keeps that risk low — expand each step to learn more.
You will use a combination of antibiotic drops to prevent infection, steroid drops to reduce inflammation, and lubricating drops for comfort. Complete the full course exactly as scheduled, even if your eye feels fine.
Avoid heavy lifting, bending at the waist, and strenuous exercise during the first week. Keep water out of the eye, skip swimming pools and hot tubs until cleared, and wear the protective shield at night as directed.
Contact our office right away for a sudden drop in vision, severe or worsening eye pain, new flashes or floaters, a shadow across your vision, or heavy redness with discharge. These symptoms are uncommon but need same-day attention.
Recovery and Follow-Up
Recovery is generally smooth and quick. Most patients notice brighter, clearer vision within the first few days, while the eye continues to settle over several weeks. Regular follow-up visits let your care team monitor healing, check eye pressure, and confirm your vision is progressing well.
Your Follow-Up Schedule
Secondary Cataracts
Months to years after surgery, a small number of patients develop posterior capsule opacification — sometimes called a secondary cataract — when the thin membrane behind the new lens becomes cloudy. It is not a true cataract and cannot return, since the natural lens is fully removed. It is treated easily with a brief, painless in-office laser procedure and does not require repeat surgery.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about cataract surgery and how NewView Eye Center can help.
The right time is when your cataracts affect activities that matter to you, such as driving, reading, or recognizing faces. There is no benefit to waiting until a cataract is severely advanced. If your symptoms are still manageable, your surgeon may recommend monitoring first. The timing is always based on your specific situation and goals.
In most cases, eyes are done separately, with a gap of one to four weeks between surgeries. This lets your team confirm the lens power and outcome in the first eye before selecting the prescription for the second. It also means you always have one functional eye during recovery, which most patients find reassuring.
It depends on the lens you choose and your eye measurements. Standard monofocal lenses correct vision at one distance, so glasses are still needed for other ranges. Premium and multifocal lenses can significantly reduce glasses dependence, but no lens guarantees complete freedom from glasses in every situation.
The cataract itself does not return, because the natural lens is fully removed. However, the thin membrane that holds your new lens can become cloudy over time — a condition called posterior capsule opacification. This is treated in the office with a short, painless laser procedure and is not a recurrence of the original cataract.
Most patients are able to drive within a few days, once vision has stabilized and any sedation is fully out of their system. Your care team will assess your vision at the day-after visit and let you know when it is safe. Night driving may take a little longer to feel comfortable, particularly with premium lenses.
The core procedure, including removal of the cataract and placement of a standard monofocal IOL, is generally covered by Medicare and most major insurance plans. Premium IOLs and laser-assisted surgery typically involve an additional out-of-pocket upgrade cost. Our team can help you understand your coverage and financing options before you proceed.
Please note: This page is provided for general educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Any decision about cataract surgery — including whether to have it, the surgical approach, and your lens choice — is made individually between each patient and their doctor after a personal evaluation.
Ready to see Clearly Again?
Hear From Their Experience
“I still have 20/20 vision, and this was like a miracle to me in my life.”
Dr. Renee Yingling
“They were able to keep the monovision, and I am absolutely thrilled.”
Carol
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