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What is a Cataract?
Loss of eye sight from cataracts is usually preventable!
With the formation of a cataract, activities like reading, bowling, or driving can be difficult. Fortunately, vision can be restored quickly, allowing the patient to return home within a few hours. With new advances in cataract surgery, vision improvement begins almost immediately.
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
WHAT IS A CATARACT?
 
A Cataract is the clouding of the lens of the eye. Normally, light passes through the clear lens and is focused onto the Retina. However, the natural aging process can cause the lens to become cloudy. The Cataract or cloudy lens blocks the passage of light through the eye and causes distorted or blurred vision, glare, or difficulty seeing in poor lighting conditions.

Cataract surgery is the most common operation in the world. In the United States, millions procedures are performed annually. There are many millions of cases of early cataracts among Americans aged 40 and older, and 50 percent of people older than 65 have developed significant cataracts.


Cataract and Intra-ocular lens (IOL) Consultation

Your refractive consultation is an information session where we will discuss your vision issues and goals, your refractive options and what you can expect from surgery. We will review your contact lens and/or eyeglass history and run tests as needed to determine the uniformity of your cornea and recommend the best procedure for you. Your consultation may be covered by insurance.

This 2-2½ hour dilated consultation typically includes a complete review of overall eye and systemic health plus an assessment of other eye conditions and an evaluation of the retina.


The Cataract Procedure

Cataract surgery is performed on an out-patient basis. You will not need to be hospitalized for your doctor to perform your surgery. The procedure normally takes less than 30 minutes and you can return home shortly after your procedure. Most people will enjoy improved vision by the day after surgery or within a few days following the procedure.

Your Anesthesiologist will first administer a light sedative which will relax your nerves and keep you comfortable during the procedure. Anesthetic eye drops will be used to completely numb the eye. Your doctor will either use the latest technology LenSx bladeless laser assisted surgery or traditional cataract surgery to remove the cataract. The entire procedure is typically performed through an incision that is smaller than 1/8 of an inch and does not require stitches to heal.

Once the cataract is removed, an intra-ocular lens (IOL) is placed where the cataract lens was removed, to restore your sight. Most patients will not have significant discomfort and can return to their normal daily routines, including reading, driving and walking.


What should I expect about my Cataract surgery?

Before deciding to have Cataract surgery, you will need an initial examination to make sure your eyes are suitable for surgery. Your doctor will take a complete history about your medical and eye health and perform a thorough examination of both eyes. The best lens implant available to accommodate each patient's individual situation. We will be certain that you receive professional and thorough education regarding lens implant options.
 
 
    • 1) Do cataracts and presbyopia affect only older people?
      • Though they can be found in younger patients, cataracts generally start forming after 40. About half of the population can expect to have cataracts by age 65, and nearly everyone over 75 has a cataract in at least one eye. Presbyopia, too, is another one of life's inevitables that can begin after 40 and may require the use of bifocal lenses or reading glasses.
    • 2) Is there a risk to cataract surgery?
      • All surgery involves some risk; however, this surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States, and is considered one of the safest and most effective of all surgical procedures.

        Choosing a surgeon who has performed thousands of successful procedures will help reduce the risk of complications. Our surgeons will discuss any pertinent risks, benefits and possible alternatives with you during your consultation.
    • 4) What happens after the surgery?
      • You will be provided with a protective shield for your eye, and after a short period in the outpatient recovery area, you will be ready to go home. Someone will need to drive you home after surgery.

        You will be given a prescription for eye drops to be used for a few days prior to and following the procedure. While the eye is healing during the following week, it is recommended you wear your protective eye shield while sleeping or napping. Strenuous activity or lifting, swimming and exposing your eye to dust or grime should be avoided for at least three weeks after surgery.
    • 5) My doctor says I have a cataract, but her recommends I wait before removing it. Why?
      • When a cataract begins forming, it is often unnoticeable, but as it grows larger and cloudier, it can begin to interfere significantly with your vision. Some cataracts never reach the stage where the lens has to be removed; however, regular visits to your ophthalmologist to monitor progress of the cataract are definitely recommended.

        Because of the modern advances in cataract surgery, it is no longer necessary to wait until a cataract is "ripe" before removing it. It is necessary, though, that the cataract has progressed to the point where it starts to affect your lifestyle before insurance will consider it a medical necessity and cover its removal.
    • 6) Why should I consider having cataract surgery?
      • The short answer is whenever you are ready to enjoy excellent vision without glasses or contacts. Cataract surgery may become necessary sooner or later as you get older and your vision declines, so you may just choose to wait to have lens replacement surgery.

        Whether you choose to wait until the cataracts are developed or to electively do a Refractive Lens Exchange (replacing your lens before cataracts develop) is dependent on your immediate goals for reducing your dependency on glasses or contact lenses.

        The earlier in life you choose to do cataract surgery or a Refractive Lens Exchange with a multifocal or accommodating Intra-ocular lens (IOL) Consultation, the sooner you can improve your vision and see clearly and comfortably well into your future.

        With the advancements now available from Intra-ocular lens (IOL) technology, the real decision to be made is how long you wish to wait before significantly raising your quality of life.
    • 7) Will I need to wear glasses after the cataract is removed and Intra-ocular lens (IOL) is inserted?
      • Most patients can expect to enjoy excellent vision for almost every activity, including reading without glasses. Some patients ( approx. 20%) may need glasses after cataract surgery for: Near (reading), intermediate (computer, phone, cooking), and distance (driving, walking, etc.)

        However, not every Intra-ocular lens (IOL) works well for every patient's situation and there are some visual problems that are the result of irregularities of the cornea that cannot be corrected by replacing the lens in cataract surgery.
    • 8) How much does cataract surgery cost?
      • The costs will vary depending whether the procedure is medically necessary or is done electively. Prices are dependent on the cost of the Intra-ocular lens (IOL) used and additional testing and follow-up care that may be needed.

        Medicare and most private health insurance plans usually cover most of cataract surgery and standard (monofocal) intraocular lens implants if it is considered a medical necessity. You are responsible for co-pays and deductibles.

        Upgrading to a premium lens or LenSx bladeless laser assisted surgery is not covered by Medicare or any insurance.
 
Cataract Surgery Financing

Cataract surgery and standard (monofocal) intraocular lenses (IOL) is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans, as this procedure is considered medically necessary. Upgrading cataract surgery to the Intra-ocular lens (IOL) to correct presbyopia or astigmatism, however, is only partially covered by Medicare or other insurance for the cataract portion of fees, as these IOLs are considered to be an up-grade and not a medical necessity.

The cost of surgery changes over time just as most products and services. Our surgery team will be happy to review all pricing and financing with you during your surgery consultation.

When diagnosed as needed due to its progressive stage, the surgery for cataracts and the placement of a Monofocal IOL is usually covered on approval by insurance (less deductibles and co-pays). If you choose to upgrade from a Monofocal IOL to a Multifocal, Accommodating, or Toric IOL, you will pay out-of-pocket for the cost of the intraocular lenses (IOL) and the additional testing and follow-up care needed.
 
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North Valley Surgery Center
1720 Bruce Rd
Chico, CA 95928
(530) 287-9700
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