A cataract develops when the natural lens inside your eye becomes cloudy. As the cataract progresses, vision may become blurred, hazy, dim, or less colorful. You may also notice increased glare from headlights, halos around lights, difficulty seeing at night, or frequent changes to your eyeglass prescription.
Early cataract symptoms can sometimes be managed with an updated prescription, better lighting, or other visual aids. When cataracts begin interfering with everyday activities, your ophthalmologist may recommend cataract removal surgery.
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens known as an intraocular lens, or IOL. Your cataract surgeon will evaluate your eyes, discuss your visual needs, and help determine when surgery is appropriate and which lens approach best fits your eyes and lifestyle.
At Eye Care Specialists, our goal is to make every stage of your cataract care easy to understand, from your initial consultation and eye measurements through surgery planning and postoperative follow-up.
Cataracts can make colors appear faded or yellowed. After the cloudy lens is removed, many patients notice improved brightness, color perception, and contrast.
Many people seek cataract treatment because glare, halos, or hazy vision make driving and low-light situations increasingly difficult. Cataract removal may improve these cataract-related symptoms.
Removing the cloudy natural lens can improve vision affected by cataracts, helping everyday activities such as reading, watching television, walking, and seeing faces more clearly.
Your replacement intraocular lens is selected using detailed measurements of your eye along with your visual needs and lifestyle goals.
Our team provides postoperative instructions, scheduled follow-up examinations, and ongoing eye care to monitor healing and your vision after surgery.
Every eye is different. Your cataract treatment plan begins with a complete examination so your ophthalmologist can evaluate the cataract, your overall eye health, and the vision goals that matter most to you.
A cataract consultation helps determine how much the cataract is affecting your vision and whether surgery is appropriate.
Modern cataract surgery removes the cloudy natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens.
A commonly used technique called phacoemulsification breaks the cloudy lens into small pieces so it can be gently removed through a small incision. The selected IOL is then positioned inside the eye.
Cataract surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure, allowing patients to return home afterward. Your surgeon will provide specific instructions for preparing for surgery and caring for your eye afterward.
Choosing your replacement lens is an important part of cataract surgery.
Before surgery, detailed measurements are taken to help determine the appropriate IOL power. Your ophthalmologist will also discuss your goals for distance, intermediate, and near vision and whether astigmatism or other eye conditions need to be considered.
Your surgeon will explain which lens options are appropriate for your eyes and what level of dependence on glasses you may reasonably expect after surgery.
For eligible cataract surgery patients, Eye Care Specialists also offers the Light Adjustable Lens, or LAL.
Unlike a conventional IOL whose optical power is fixed when it is implanted, the Light Adjustable Lens can be fine-tuned after the eye begins healing. Controlled light treatments are used to adjust the lens based on your postoperative vision before the final lens power is locked in.
Your cataract surgeon can determine whether the Light Adjustable Lens is suitable for your eyes and visual goals.
Your ophthalmologist examines your eyes, reviews your symptoms, evaluates how cataracts are affecting your daily activities, and determines whether surgery should be considered.
Detailed measurements help your surgeon calculate the replacement lens power. You will discuss your visual priorities and the IOL options appropriate for your eyes.
The cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with the selected intraocular lens. Your eye is numbed for the procedure, and your surgical team will guide you through what to expect.
You will receive instructions for medications, eye protection, activities, and follow-up appointments. Vision may begin improving during the early recovery period, while complete healing takes additional time and varies by patient.
Address: 31 Pine Street Suite 201 Norfolk, Ma 02056
Hours of operation:
Mon-Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am-7:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Address: 91B Central Street Norwood, Ma02062
Hours of operation:
Mon-Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
Address: 825 Washington Street Suite 230 Norwood, Ma 02062
Hours of operation:
Mon-Thurs: 8:00am-5:00pm Friday: 8:00am-4:00pm
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Cataract surgery is usually considered when vision changes begin interfering with activities that are important to you, such as reading, driving, working, watching television, or safely moving around. Your ophthalmologist can evaluate your cataracts and help you decide when the benefits of surgery outweigh the reasons for waiting.
Common cataract symptoms include blurry or cloudy vision, faded colors, glare, halos around lights, difficulty seeing at night, increased sensitivity to bright light, and frequent changes in an eyeglass prescription. Symptoms usually develop gradually.
The actual surgical procedure is typically brief, although you should expect to spend additional time at the surgical facility for preparation, medication, and postoperative observation. Your surgical team will give you a more specific timeline before your procedure.
The eye is numbed before cataract surgery, and medication may also be provided to help you remain comfortable and relaxed. You may notice lights, movement, or mild pressure during the procedure, but significant pain is not expected. Contact your surgical team promptly if you develop significant pain after surgery.
Recovery is different for every patient. Vision may initially be blurry while the eye begins healing, and many people notice gradual improvement during the first several days. Healing continues over the following weeks. Your surgeon will tell you when it is safe to resume activities such as driving, exercise, swimming, or heavy lifting.
That depends on your eye health, the IOL selected, your prescription, and your visual goals. Some patients continue to use glasses for reading, distance vision, or specific activities. Your ophthalmologist will discuss realistic expectations before selecting your replacement lens.
The cataract itself cannot return because the cloudy natural lens has been removed. However, some patients later develop clouding of the capsule behind the IOL, known as posterior capsule opacification. If it affects vision, it can often be treated with a brief laser procedure known as YAG laser capsulotomy.
Cataracts often become more noticeable over time and may increasingly interfere with daily activities. Surgery does not always need to be performed immediately, so the right timing depends on your symptoms, eye health, and lifestyle. Regular examinations allow your ophthalmologist to monitor changes and recommend treatment when appropriate.
When cataracts affect both eyes, surgery is commonly scheduled separately for each eye. The timing between procedures depends on your surgeon’s recommendation, your eye health, and how the first eye is healing.
Your cataract evaluation, surgical planning, and follow-up care can be coordinated through Eye Care Specialists. The surgical team will confirm the location of your cataract procedure when surgery is scheduled.
Like every surgical procedure, cataract surgery has potential risks. These can include infection, inflammation, bleeding, changes in eye pressure, swelling, retinal problems, or issues involving the position of the replacement lens. Your surgeon will review your individual risks and benefits before surgery.
