Cataract Surgery
During cataract surgery, your cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens. Choose an option that matches your vision goals and lifestyle.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye which causes vision to be blurred or diminished. Cataracts are very common with age, and surgery to replace the cloudy lens with a clear artificial lens is one of the safest and most commonly performed procedures in medicine.
To learn more about cataracts, including symptoms, causes, and treatment options, we recommend visiting the American Academy of Ophthalmology's information on cataracts.
Cataract surgery packages
We offer surgical packages designed around how you want to see after surgery.
Enhanced Diagnostics
- Testing to determine if your eye is a candidate for premium surgery
- May also reveal other ocular pathology
Premium Cataract Surgery
- The main goal is to reduce your dependence on glasses
- Depending on the health of your eye, this may provide good distance vision or distance and near vision
Custom Light Adjustable Package
- After surgery, the lens can be adjusted with light treatments to fine-tune your vision
- Provides a personalized result based on how your eyes heal; may involve several short adjustment visits
Which option is best? We'll review your measurements, hobbies, night-driving needs, and goals to help you choose the package that fits you.
Vision before and after cataract surgery
Risks of cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is very safe, but like all surgery it carries risks. We believe informed patients make the best decisions.
Rare but serious risks
- Infection — 0.2 to 3.6% risk
- Retinal tears/detachments — 0.1 to 0.29% risk
- Bleeding in your eye — very rare
Other risks
- Posterior capsular opacification (“second cataract”) — 30–40% within 6 months (easy to correct if it develops)
- Swelling in the back of your eye (macular edema) — 1.4% risk (often resolves with eye drops)
- Eyelid drooping (ptosis) — 5 to 10% risk (may not cause any symptoms and likely won't need to be fixed)
- Floaters, dry eye, elevated eye pressures
- Rebound iritis (inflammation in your eye)
- Glare/halos (higher risk with multifocal lenses)
- Need for glasses or further procedures/surgeries after your cataract surgery to see things at distance
You may be at an increased risk for other reasons (history of retinal detachments, Fuchs dystrophy, macular degeneration, diabetes, etc.). These will be discussed with you at your cataract evaluation visit. The medications you take after surgery are aimed at reducing some of these risks — antibiotics for infection, topical anti-inflammatories for macular edema, and steroid drops for inflammation. Any of the risks, especially the more serious ones, may result in more follow-up appointments and possibly more surgeries.
Cataract surgery FAQs
What is a cataract?
A cataract is clouding of the natural lens inside the eye which causes the vision to be blurred or diminished.
Can you prevent cataracts?
Cataracts are very common in older people, and cannot be avoided. It is helpful to keep your eyes healthy by protecting them from bright sunlight and ultraviolet light. Most importantly, if you are at a higher risk for cataracts because of diabetes or other medical problems, you should follow your doctor's instructions and get regular checkups.
How do I know if I need cataract surgery?
Only your doctor can recommend the correct treatment for cataracts. If your cataracts have reached a “mature” stage and have impeded your vision so that glasses do not help and your daily activities are affected, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery. Dr. Hiss and his team of doctors can discuss with you the details of the surgery as well as what type of results you can expect.
Can cataract surgery restore vision loss?
Often cataract surgery can improve vision with great results and few complications. However, your doctor can predict the outcome based on your individual case.
Will the lens implant ever have to be removed, replaced, or cleaned?
The lens implant is designed to last for the rest of your life. It does not need to be removed or cleaned. The lens will only be removed if, in the rare instance, it needs to be replaced or adjusted in position, if it causes any injury or severe inflammation in the eye, or if it becomes dislocated.
Ready to see your best?
Call us at 775-674-1100 or send a request — our team will help you schedule an evaluation.