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Cataract Surgery: What to Expect

How to prepare for cataract surgery?

  • The night before surgery:
    • Wash your face before you go to sleep
    • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight
  • The morning of surgery:
    • Take all of your routine medications with small sips of water.
    • Wash your face thoroughly before coming to the surgery center.
    • Wear freshly laundered clothing. Please dress comfortably.
    • Do not apply makeup.
    • Nothing to eat or drink within 6-8 hrs of your check-in time.

Cataract Surgery Recovery

Cataract surgery recovery is quick for most people. Cataract surgery is typically comfortable and often results in much better vision in the first few days after surgery. It is important to have your check up with your doctor at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months post cataract surgery.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is surgery the only option for cataracts?

Without surgically removing the cataract, most patients will continue to have blurred vision, which can lead to significant vision loss. Removing the cataract surgically is the only way to improve vision

How soon can one drive after cataract surgery?

As soon as one meets the visual acuity criteria (20/40) and feels comfortable enough with their vision to drive. This could be as early as the next day after surgery

Is cataract surgery serious?

All surgery involves some risk, so yes, it is serious. However, cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in the United States and is highly likely to improve your vision. Many cataract surgeons have several thousand procedures under their belt. Choosing a surgeon with this much experience will reduce the risk of something going wrong

What are possible side effects of cataract surgery?

As with any surgery, pain, infection, high eye pressure, swelling and bleeding are possible, but very few patients have serious problems or complications. Your surgeon may prescribe medications for any side effects. Retinal detachment can also occur occasionally. Be on the lookout for excessive pain, vision loss, bright flashes of light, or nausea, and report these symptoms to your eye surgeon immediately

What types of Intraocular (IOLS) lenses are there?

Standard IOL’s – The basic Government Issue IOL. You will often need to wear glasses with this type of IOL

Aspheric IOL’s – This type of IOL has aspheric optics, which improves vision quality

Astigmatism correcting IOL’s – These IOL’s correct astigmatism, where the eye is steeper in 1 direction than the other (much like a football cut in half). An eye without astigmatism has the same curvature in all directions (like a basketball cut in half).

Presbyopic correcting IOL’s – These IOL’s improve both distance and near vision without glasses and are most effective at decreasing or eliminating the use of glasses or contact lenses after surgery

What is unique at DLV? In-office cataract surgery

Dougherty Laser Vision offers in-office cataract surgery as an alternative to patients who have an HMO, high deductible PPO insurance or no insurance at all. Benefits of in-office surgery include less cost to the patient and more convenience than a traditional surgery center. In addition, we can offer cataract treatment on both eyes on the same day.

For HMO patients, the other benefit is that we are able to offer Premium intra-ocular lenses (IOLs) to improve vision without glasses or contact lenses. Many surgeons (including most HMO surgeons) only offer the basic IOL that requires the use of glasses for best vision after surgery. With Premium IOL’s placed in our in-office cataract surgery suite, you can have your astigmatism treated and potentially decrease or eliminate the need for glasses or contacts for both distance and near vision!

If you would like to learn more about your options for cataract surgery, call or schedule a Cataract Examination at our offices in Westlake Village, Beverly Hills, Camarillo, or Simi Valley today.

All of insurance coverage

Cataract Surgery & Insurance Coverage

Most medical insurances cover basic cataract surgery.

Dougherty Laser Vision accepts:

  • Anthem
  • BlueShield
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • UHC PPO’s
  • Medicare
  • Ventura County Medicaid
  • Gold Coast Health Plan
  • If you have a question about a different insurance provider, please contact us here.

To determine if cataract surgery is right for you, you will need to first schedule an initial cataract exam. This exam is also typically covered by most insurances (if medically necessary) but subject to each patient’s individual insurance benefits. Our team is happy to help you navigate this process and answer any and all questions you have about insurance coverage.