What Is a Cataract?
The term cataracts refers to the eye’s natural lens. Clear at birth, the lens becomes cloudy over time, causing vision problems and can eventually cause blindness if left untreated. Cataracts are completely normal and typically develop sometime in our 50s or 60s. Surgery is the only treatment for a cataract. You should consider surgery when cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with your daily activities.
Can Cataracts Be Prevented?
Most cataracts occur with age. However, a good, balanced diet, protection from the sun, and restraint from smoking can delay the development of cataracts.
What Are My Treatment Options?
Cataract Surgery (Removal)
Cataract surgery is a routine, virtually painless outpatient procedure that replaces your clouded lens with a clear intraocular lens implant. Cataract removal is performed through a procedure called phacoemulsification. In this procedure, high-energy ultrasound waves are used to gently remove your cataract. In most cases, we use only eye drop anesthesia, allowing our patients the fastest possible recovery. Once the cataract is removed, a permanent, artificial lens is inserted. It is not uncommon for our patients to have the benefit of dramatically improved vision within a few hours of their procedure.
Clear Lens Exchange
For those with presbyopia that are not yet candidates for cataract removal, your surgeon may offer an elective procedure known as clear lens exchange. This procedure uses the same successful techniques as modern cataract surgery by replacing your natural lens with an intraocular lens (IOL) designed to reduce or eliminate your need for readers, bifocals or even trifocals.
Results After Cataract Treatment
I’ve been in business and observed interactions between customers and employees my whole life. I cannot say enough about how impressed and pleased I was with my entire experience with Longwood Eye & LASIK Center. From the first phone call to set up the appointment, to the time Dr. Warren spent with me before and after my surgery, and all of my pre and post-operative appointments, it was a truly a pleasant experience!
Three of my friends had similar cataract procedures, and prior to my conversation with them, I had no idea that this type of procedure was available. It is totally remarkable how I feel and how my vision has improved without the use of contact lenses. Simply put, my results are outstanding and I have never experienced this level of professionalism and care, and I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Warren and his team at Longwood Eye & LASIK Center.
-Michael M – Cataract Surgery with John Warren, MD
Which Lens Is Best for Me?
Distance Correcting Monofocal IOLs
Traditionally, the lens implant used for cataract surgery is a monofocal IOL. In most cases, the monofocal lens provides good distance vision for driving, walking, and some everyday activities. However, most people receiving monofocal lenses still require reading glasses or bifocals to have a full range of vision.
- Traditional
- Advanced
Astigmatism Correcting IOLs
Approximately 20% of cataract surgery patients have a significant degree of astigmatism. Astigmatism creates distortion in vision and is not corrected by traditional cataract or lens replacement surgery. The unique design of the Toric IOL makes it possible to provide quality distance vision and reduce or eliminate astigmatism at the same time.
- Clareon TORIC
- Tecnis TORIC
- enVista TORIC
Enhanced vision option
This option combines the optics of advanced wavefront-designed monofocal IOL with modern surgical planning and techniques to provide a higher quality and overall enhanced vision with a monofocal designed IOL. These techniques will also further reduce or eliminate your need for distance glasses including low levels of pre-existing astigmatism. In a clinical study, these more advanced optics provided improved visibility, better contrast sensitivity, and reduced glare.
Vision correction decisions are among the most important you will ever make. There are many intraocular lens (IOL) options available, including traditional monofocal, advanced monofocal, toric and multifocal, IOLs. Your doctor will discuss all the options available and recommend the IOL that is best for you.
Presbyopic Correcting IOLs
Previous lens replacement technologies provided only one improved focal point, distance, leaving people dependent on readers or bifocals after cataract surgery. Furthermore, in the past, those who were not yet cataract surgery candidates had no good alternatives to readers, bifocals, or trifocals. Recent advances in lens technology now make it possible to improve vision at all ranges, near through distance, with increased freedom from glasses or contact lenses. Our doctors are proud to offer the most advanced multifocal IOLs to give our patients the best possible vision.
- Tecnis Synergy Multifocal
- Clareon PanOptix Multifocal
What Are the Risks Associated with Lens Replacement Surgery?
As with any surgical procedure, there are risks involved. These may include infection, retinal detachment, an increase in eye pressure, reactions to medications, and vision changes. Our doctors will discuss all risks and benefits with you before your surgery.
Are There Any Side Effects?
Common side effects include redness, scratchiness, and light sensitivity. You may also experience glare, halos around lights, and blurred vision. These side effects may make it more difficult to see while driving at night or working in low light for a period of time, however they generally resolve over time.
How Long Does the Procedure Take?
Cataract surgery is generally a simple, outpatient procedure requiring only a few hours of your time. Patients should plan on being at the surgery center for about 2-3 hours.
Where Will My Surgery Be Performed?
Your lens replacement procedure will be performed by one of our surgeons in an outpatient surgery center or hospital facility.
What Can I Expect After My Surgery?
After a short stay in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. Plan to have someone drive you home. Everyone heals differently, but most patients can return to their normal activities the very next day. You will return to our office for a postoperative visit the next day. You will notice an improvement in your vision at that time which will continue to sharpen over the next 30 days. Eye drops will be prescribed to prevent infection and help your eye to heal.
How Will I See After Cataract Surgery?
Once the cloudy lens is removed, you will see a dramatic improvement in the clarity of your vision. Colors will be brighter, more vivid. And advanced lens implants, such as Tecnis, ReSTOR, and Crystalens, can deliver vision that is uniquely suited to your lifestyle. Dr. Warren and Dr. Fay will talk with you to understand your vision needs and can recommend a lens implant that gives you a fuller range of vision, allowing you to spend most of your day without glasses.
Will I Need to Wear Glasses After My Cataract Surgery?
During traditional cataract surgery, a single focus lens is implanted. Often times this gives patients good distance vision but still requires them to wear reading glasses for near vision. However, we offer our patients the option for a multifocal or accommodating lens implant that may allow them good vision at any distance, near through far.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about cataract surgery and would like to see if you are a good candidate, please call 1-855-286-2020 or request a consultation online.
Testimonials
I am in my 40's and waited a long time to get LASIK done. I had worn contacts for 20 years and was happy with them, but over time they started to irritate my eyes more and more and I decided it was time. I'm an emergency physician but chose the Eye and LASIK Center in West Springfield because of the great online reviews and they were completely right! From my very first visit, everything was very professional and efficient. Over my initial (free) consultation and a pre-op visit, Dr. Walkowiak answered every one of my questions honestly and in a way that was easy to understand. On the day of the procedure, Dr. Warren made me feel completely at ease and the whole thing took maybe 10-15 minutes. It was completely painless except for maybe 10 seconds of slight discomfort on each eye. I was able to watch a movie that night and the next morning I was back to doing most of my usual activities with minimal eye irritation and PERECT VISION!! I can't recommend this group enough. I can look around now, see everything clearly with no eye irritation from contacts, and I can't believe I waited this long to get it done. Two big thumbs up and I will be recommending this group to everyone!June 20, 2024
I see Dr. Fay, who always answers my questions and is patient with me. The office staff is very nice also.June 19, 2024
My experience with Dr. Warren and entire staff was wonderful. I would highly recommend to all my friends needing surgery. Jo Ann kingJune 19, 2024
This was the best experience I have had when it comes to corrective vision surgery. It was only $3k regardless of prescription within reason, and the doctors work as a team, throughly explain all risks and benefits and it includes six months of post op care. I had done consults with the two other big LASIK providers in Western Mass prior to finding Longwood Eye and LASIK. While those providers have their place… for standard ASA and LASIK they don’t make sense because they charge based on the severity of your prescription and rely too heavily on their non-medical staff when trying to help the patient decide which procedure is right for you, those other places consults felt like walking into a used car lot versus a medical provider you are trusting with one of your five sense …your sight. Longwood Eye and LASIK was straightforward, didn’t play pricing games, easy to book and reschedule with when needed, clean, professional and was honest. I spent over twenty years not being able to see properly and wish I had gone sooner.June 19, 2024
I went in for a LASIK consultation and after confirming that I was a good candidate with Dr. Walkowiak they were able to find me an appointment later that week. He explained the whole procedure to me and what I would have to do the day of. Dr. Warren was the one who did my surgery and he explained exactly what he was doing while he was doing it. It was a quick easy procedure and they made sure I was ok before letting me leave. The next day I went in for my follow up and was reading at 20/20. I got a couple more follow-up visits and was told if I had any questions or problems to give them a call. This was a very pleasant professional experience and they made me feel comfortable the whole time. With the overall experience and the reasonable flat rate, I don't think I could've found a better place to get this done.June 18, 2024
Dr Ying was great! I had an emergency visit for a torn retina. He was very professional, explained everything as he went along. I highly recommend him.June 18, 2024
I could not think of any aspect of my experience with Longwood Eye and LASIK Center from my initial eye exam to my post op visit after my second cataract removal surgery that was not five star. The positive, supportive, highly professional, knowledgeable, and extremely skilled care that I received from Dr Warren, Dr Patel, and all other Longwood Eye And LASIK staff was impressive, a very positive experience. My vision is greatly improved and I thank all of you very much!!June 18, 2024
Dr. Ying takes good care of me and my eye:)June 18, 2024
I recently had cataract surgery in Gardner. Dr. Warren is an outstanding Doctor. The staff at the center made sure I was completely comfortable and alleviated any and all apprehension I had! I highly recommend this team!June 18, 2024
From the moment you walk in the door, to the moment you walk out EVERYONE is amazing. Going in having horrible vision, and after everything is done, going out seeing bright beautiful colors, and having the ability a few days later to reading a little bit at a time. This has all brought me Joy.June 18, 2024
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