Cataracts

Home » Our Services » Cataracts

Cataracts form as a natural part of the aging process within the eye. At Mehan Eye, our eye doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating cataracts through cataract surgery so that you can experience clear vision once again.

What Are Cataracts?

As other changes occur in your body over time, cataracts develop as your eyes age. As you age, proteins inside your eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together.

Although certain factors can cause cataracts to develop earlier in life, most people begin to develop cataracts in their forties to fifties. Cataracts can cause various unwanted symptoms, although you may be able to continue your everyday activities without hindrance during the early stages.

Request a Consultation

When you are first diagnosed with cataracts, you may be able to combat your symptoms with minor lifestyle adjustments and a change in your glasses prescription. Once your cataracts advance and the symptoms begin to interfere significantly with your daily life, your eye doctor will recommend cataract surgery to restore your vision.

Cataracts typically occur at a similar rate in each eye. It is important to visit your eye doctor at Mehan Eye regularly for eye exams so they can monitor the progress of your cataracts and recommend cataract surgery when necessary.

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts?

Cataract symptoms may vary from person to person, and some people may experience more prevalent symptoms than others. Here are some of the most common symptoms of cataracts:

• Blurry vision
• Difficulty reading
• Difficulty seeing in dim lighting
• Seeing halos or starbursts around light sources
• Increased glare
• Reduction in the vividness of colors

Since cataracts develop gradually over time, so you may not notice a change in your vision immediately. However, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule an appointment for a cataract evaluation with your cataract specialist.

Cataract Symptom Checker

How Do Eye Doctors Treat Cataracts?

Cataract surgery is the best treatment for cataracts. At Mehan Eye, our cataract surgeons have extensive experience in this procedure and are dedicated to providing patients with an excellent cataract experience.

Although you may be able to modify your lifestyle or frequently renew your glasses prescription to remedy the unwanted symptoms of cataracts, ultimately, your symptoms will keep worsening until these methods are no longer efficient. Your eye doctor will likely not recommend cataract surgery until the symptoms affect your ability to perform routine tasks like driving, reading, or cooking.

During cataract surgery, your eye doctor will remove your natural lens where the cataract is and replace it with a new artificial IOL. Before cataract surgery, your eye doctor will thoroughly examine your eyes. This examination includes taking detailed eye measurements and discussing your vision goals. This process will help determine which IOL may be best for you. 

What IOLs Are Offered by the Cataract Surgeons at Mehan Eye?

At Mehan Eye, our cataract surgeons offer a variety of IOL options. Your eye doctor will help you determine an IOL based on your budget, lifestyle, and vision goals. 

Alcon Clareon

The Alcon Clareon lens is a standard monofocal IOL. If reducing your dependence on visual aids after cataract surgery is not very important to you and you want your cataract surgery to be as inexpensive as possible, this IOL may be an excellent choice for you.

The Alcon Clareon monofocal lens will only correct your vision at one distance. Many people who choose a monofocal IOL, like the Clareon lens, will choose to have their vision corrected at a distance.

In this case, they will require glasses for certain tasks at near, like reading or computer use. If you are unsure which IOL may be best for you, discuss your options with your eye doctor.

Alcon Vivity

The Alcon Vivity IOL is a non-diffractive extended depth of focus lens. This lens uses unique X-WAVE technology that will allow you to experience reduced dependency on glasses and contact lenses, less visual distortion, and greater visibility in dim lighting.

Through this lens, you will be able to experience a continuous, extended range of vision. The Vivity IOL also protects your eyes from the sun’s damaging UV rays and will filter out harmful UV light. 

The Alcon Vivity IOL is also an advanced lens, likely requiring an out-of-pocket cost. However, it may be an excellent choice if you desire greater visual freedom after cataract surgery.

Astigmatism Correcting

If you have astigmatism, your eye doctor may recommend that you choose a toric IOL, also known as an astigmatism correcting IOL. Toric IOLs are specifically designed to correct astigmatism.

Although you may experience improved vision with other IOLs, if you have a certain amount of astigmatism, a toric IOL will be the best choice for you to have optimal vision results. During your cataract evaluation, your eye doctor will determine the amount of astigmatism you have and whether or not you would benefit from choosing an astigmatism correcting lens.

Alcon PanOptix

The Alcon PanOptix is an advanced trifocal IOL. After cataract surgery, the PanOptix IOL will allow you to see with greater clarity, at all distances, without using visual aids like glasses and contact lenses. 

It is referred to as the next-generation trifocal since it is made to correct vision at each of the three distances. Many patients report that the visual freedom provided by the PanOptix IOL is well worth the investment.

What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

Your eye doctor will require you to organize transport to and from the surgery center on the day of your cataract surgery with a friend or a family member. Although the cataract surgery procedure itself takes less than forty-five minutes, you will need to be at the surgery center for a while longer for preparation and recovery.

Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure, so you will be able to go home on the day of your cataract surgery. First, your cataract surgeon will place numbing eye drops into your eye.

Next, they will make a tiny incision in the surface of your eye, known as the cornea. This incision is small and will heal naturally during your recovery, often without the need for sutures.

Through this incision, your cataract surgeon will use a special device to break up the cataract and remove the tiny pieces through gentle suction. Once all the fragments of your old lens are removed, they will insert the new IOL and position it in place.

Once the new IOL is in place, the procedure will be complete.