Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are normal, and happen to everyone over time.  They are a progressive opacity that cloud the eye’s natural lens, leading to a host of symptoms including blurred and cloudy vision, double vision, halos and starbursts around lights, night driving difficulty, light sensitivity and dulling or washing out of colors.  Without surgery, cataracts eventually diminish eyesight to the point of blindness. Although cataracts are most commonly caused by proteins that accumulate on the natural lens as we age, other triggers include injury, certain medications and conditions such as diabetes.

Cataracts are the most common cause of reduced vision in the US today.  Cataract surgery is the most commonly covered Medicare procedure, too.  You don’t have to live with diminished vision caused by cataracts.  In fact, you might not realize your vision has been compromised, as this clouding of your natural lens occurs gradually over many years, until one day you realize you’ve become very sensitive to light, or you almost got into an accident while driving, or you missed a curb or stair because your depth perception was compromised.  You don’t have to accept these changes!

Cataract surgery not only reverse these effects, but also rejuvenates and revitalizes your vision to a crispness and clarity similar to what you had in your 40s.  Advanced lens implants can provide crisp distance vision, correct your astigmatism, and provide a fuller range of near and mid-range vision so that you spend the majority of your day without glasses.  Lens implant surgery truly is one of the only medical procedures today that doesn’t simply stave off decline, but rather restores your vision to what you had earlier in life.  Dr. Hayden specializes in the removal of cataracts and the implantation of advanced lens implants.  These technologies require exacting surgical precision, which Dr. Hayden provides with over 30 years of training, experience and commitment to surgical excellence.

Dr. Hayden performs your cataract surgery in an out-patient surgery center or hospital.  You are generally with us for about two hours, and then return home to nap and recover.  During the surgery, performed under twilight sedation, Dr. Hayden uses a tiny ultrasound instrument to break apart the cataract. He gently vacuums these particles out of the eye and inserts a permanent intraocular lens (IOL) that will restore a clearer, sharper vision for the rest of your life. No stitches or patches are required, and you can generally return to normal activity the very next day.  Millions have undergone cataract surgery, and it is nothing to fear.   Our patients often tell us at their first post-op visit how surprised they are at the simplicity and ease of the process.  Most importantly, they rave about their vision.  Bright colors, clear detail, and a fuller vision range are commonly remarked upon.  Cataract surgery is nothing to fear, and will improve the quality of your life.