Cataract Surgery at Eye Health Partners

A cataract is the clouding of the clear lens of the eye. The lens is an integral part of the eye, working like a camera lens to focus light rays on the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When the lens becomes clouded, proper focusing of light is disrupted. As a result, images appear dull, colors look less bright and light from the sun or a lamp begins to appear unusually intense. As the lens becomes more clouded, vision gradually worsens. If left untreated, cataract(s) can lead to complete vision loss in the affected eye(s).

Use our contact page to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced eye doctors if you suspect that you might have cataract(s) or any other vision problem. Our skilled doctors perform thorough, sophisticated exams to detect cataracts, glaucoma, AMD, diabetic retinopathy and many other potentially serious conditions at their earliest stages when the treatment is most effective.

 If you are diagnosed with cataracts, our doctors can provide you with a customized, effective treatment plan. In the early stage of cataract development, the cataracts might be monitored by your optometrist and treated with glasses or contact lenses. However, if your cataracts are more advanced and make everyday activities, such as reading and driving difficult, surgical treatment might be necessary.

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a widely performed procedure that can improve your vision by replacing the cloudy cataractous lens with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This type of surgery enjoys a remarkable success rate, with more than 90 percent of patients achieving vision somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40. In fact, every year more than 3 million Americans undergo cataract surgery, making it the most frequently performed surgical procedure in the United States.

Our experienced eye surgeons perform cataract surgery as an outpatient procedure. The complete treatment usually takes less than an hour, with the actual surgical procedure lasting approximately 10 minutes. At first, the surgeon will prepare your eye by applying special anesthetic medication and drops that dilute the pupil. You might also receive a mild sedative to help you relax. Next, the eye surgeon will make a small incision through which he or she will remove the cloudy lens. After this step, the surgeon will insert an IOL, which becomes a permanent part of your eye replacing the defective lens. The new lens does not require any special care and/or cause any discomfort.

Advanced IOL options are available that provide a more natural range of vision than the standard IOL. These premium IOLs include the ReStor, Crystalens, and Toric (astigmatism-correcting) lenses.

After Your Cataract Surgery

After the cataract surgery procedure, your surgeon may apply a protective patch over the treated eye and provide you with special eye drops. You will be able to go home soon after the surgery; however, transportation should be arranged as you won’t be able to drive yourself. You will also be asked to avoid strenuous activities and bright light for the next several days. To ensure smooth healing of the operated eye, several regular follow-up visits will be arranged.

Today’s surgical advancements make cataract surgery a very safe procedure with minimal recovery time and a low risk of complications. Most of our patients do not experience any significant discomfort after the cataract surgery. While many of them are able to see better immediately after the procedure, vision typically begins to improve within a few days following the treatment. Complete healing typically occurs within eight weeks.

If you have cataracts in both eyes, our surgeons will usually suggest operating on one eye at a time. The cataract surgery for your other eye will typically be scheduled in a matter of weeks following your first procedure to allow the treated eye to heal and to evaluate any postoperative problems.

Cataract Surgery Consultation

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts or suspect that you might have this condition, please visit our contact page to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled eye surgeons. They can detect cataracts even before you notice any vision deterioration and prescribe the most appropriate treatment. If you require cataract surgery, our eye surgeons have the skill and dedication to perform this convenient, effective procedure which can greatly improve your vision.

It is important to contact one of our skilled, experienced cataract surgeons to schedule a consultation. We offer cataract treatments at all of our facilities, and are dedicated to providing vision correction for all of our patients, including Huntsville, Montgomery, Nashville and Birmingham cataracts patients.