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 had an amazing experience with Longwood Eye & LASIK! They quickly set up an appointment for me and booked my surgery in the same week. I needed this done for the State Police. Such amazing staff and so helpful! My recovery has been so smooth. I recommend this place to anyone who is in need of quick and good quality LASIK surgery. Thank you everyone – Doctors and staff - for your amazing hospitality and professionalism.June 02, 2025
I needed an appointment asap and they got me right in that day . I wasn’t even a patient of theirs ! From the girls behind the desk ( they were awesome) to the nurses and Dr. Provost, everyone made me feel very comfortable. All in all , very knowledgeable and helpful staff ! 5 stars to all of you 👀May 26, 2025
I never leave reviews, but I had such a good experience that I feel like I need to. I was traveling from out of town and got a very bad eye infection. I called so many ophthalmology offices and nobody would see me. I finally called Longwood Eye and LASIK. They squeezed me in because they knew I was worried about my eye. The clinic is clean and well organized. The entire staff was very professional and friendly. They have the latest equipment. Dr. Benoit is a great doctor with a wonderful bedside manner. I get very nervous about my eyes. He was very gentle and calm and reassured me everything would be okay. I’m so grateful to him and the eye center for taking care of me do I could continue my travels with no worries.May 16, 2025
After years of considering Lasik and not really being close to someone who had the procedure done, tired of wearing glasses and contact lenses for more than 30 years .. I finally decided to call Longwood in West Springfield and have a consultation and boy was I glad I did it. The procedure was quick and easy, Dr. Warren made me feel very comfortable from the initial eye exam all the way to the final step and having my LASIK performed on May 15, 2025. After the eye preparation, the LASIK surgery for each eye was a total of about 4 minutes and 3 of those 4 minutes was just giving the eye a resting period. I was awake, talking to the Dr ..he explained every single procedure he was doing and everything went well. I couldn't be happier with the results. My only regret was not doing this sooner. Complete recovery time is about 2 months but 1 week of prescribed eye drops and 2 months of lubricating eye drops as needed. I cried tears of joy of waking up the next day and being able to see clear without grabbing the glasses. If you're thinking about it .. give it a go, you won't regret it. The best decision I made!!May 16, 2025
Med tech called me within 10 min. of my appt time and each "hand-off" to next step occurred within ~10 min. Dr Lotufo was prompt and knew my history and was clear about my status and next steps.May 16, 2025
Dr Adam Provost was patient to answer my questions. I had ruled out ever wearing contacts again but he took the time to explore options with me.May 16, 2025
My experience with Longwood Eye & LASIK was 5 ⭐️. Shout out to Dr Warren, my eye surgeon, to my follow up visits with Dr Walkowiak and Dr Benoit, Great team of physicians, thank you!!May 16, 2025
Dr. John F. Warren and Longwood Eye in general were extremely knowledgeable and professional. They patiently answered all of my questions when I was going through the process, and always told me what to expect ahead of time. They were extremely professional and kind. I could not have had a better LASIK experience. It has been about a year since I got LASIK, and it was the best money I've spent! If you are on the line when considering Dr. John F. Warren and Longwood Eye, do it! It is worth it.May 16, 2025
I had the best experience getting lasik eye surgery here. From the initial consultation the staff makes you feel comfortable and like family. Dr Walkowiak was patient, kind, and answered all my questions before deciding if I was going to go through with the surgery. After meeting with him, I knew it was the right decision!! Dr. Warren was incredible on the day of surgery, talking me through each and every step and I am so happy with my results.May 16, 2025
I had the best experience getting lasik eye surgery here. From the initial consultation the staff makes you feel comfortable and like family. Dr Walkowiak was patient, kind, and answered all my questions before deciding if I was going to go through with the surgery. After meeting with him, I knew it was the right decision!! Dr. Warren was incredible on the day of surgery, talking me through each and every step and I am so happy with my results.May 16, 2025
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