Cataract Surgery with Premium Lens Options
Cataracts are a natural part of aging, but they do not have to define your life. If you have noticed blurry vision, difficulty seeing at night, or increased glare from lights, you may be experiencing the effects of cataracts. Fortunately, cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures for restoring vision. At American Eye Associates and California Retina Associates, we specialize in advanced cataract treatment with premium intraocular lens (IOL) options to help you see clearly again.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the eye's natural lens becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision, dull colors, and difficulty with daily activities. They typically develop slowly over time and are most common in adults over 60.
Common Signs of Cataracts
- Blurry or cloudy vision
- Glare and halos around lights, especially at night
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- Colors appearing faded or yellowed
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions
Left untreated, cataracts can lead to vision loss. The good news? Cataract surgery removes the clouded lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, allowing you to regain sharp vision.
Understanding How Cataract Surgery Works
Cataract surgery is a quick, outpatient procedure to restore your vision. It is one of the most commonly performed and safest surgical procedures globally. It includes:
- Pre-Surgical Eye Exam: We assess your eye health and discuss your lens implant options.
- Numbing the Eye: Your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops to ensure a painless experience.
- Lens Removal: Using advanced techniques, the clouded lens is gently removed through a small incision.
- IOL Implantation: A new intraocular lens (IOL) is placed inside the eye to restore clear, sharp vision.
- Recovery: Most patients return home the same day and see improvement within 24 to 48 hours.
Our cataract surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques to help ensure a smooth procedure and fast recovery. Most patients experience an improvement in vision clarity within days of their surgery.
Premium Intraocular Lenses (IOLs)
When undergoing cataract surgery, one of the most important decisions you will make is choosing the right intraocular lens (IOL). While standard monofocal IOLs restore vision at a single distance, premium IOLs provide greater flexibility, enhanced clarity, and reduced dependency on glasses.
At American Eye Associates and California Retina Associates, we offer advanced IOL options to meet the unique vision needs of each patient. Below is a detailed breakdown of the premium IOLs available at our El Centro location.
What to Expect Before, During, & After Surgery
Before Surgery
Your journey begins with a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate the severity of your cataracts and discuss your intraocular lens (IOL) options. Our eye specialists will take the time to understand your lifestyle, vision goals, and any underlying eye conditions.
Before your procedure, we will provide you with detailed pre-surgical instructions, which may include stopping certain medications, using prescribed eye drops, and arranging transportation for the day of surgery.
During Surgery
The surgery typically takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye and is painless thanks to numbing eye drops. Using state-of-the-art microsurgical techniques, our surgeons gently remove and replace the clouded lens with a clear, artificial IOL.
Because the incision is self-sealing, no stitches are required, allowing for a faster healing process. After a short monitoring period, you can return home the same day with protective eyewear and post-operative instructions.
After Surgery
Most patients experience minimal discomfort following cataract surgery, with mild sensitivity to light and slight irritation being common in the first few days. Vision improvement is usually noticeable within 24 to 48 hours, as your eyes adjust to the new lens.
Over the next few weeks, your vision will continue to sharpen, with full recovery typically achieved within one month. Follow-up visits with our team allow us to monitor your healing progress, fine-tune your vision, and ensure the best possible outcome.