Cataracts
See what you’ve been missing. Our doctors help bring your vision back into focus with advanced treatment options and a positive patient experience that has seen us voted Minnesota’s Best Eye Surgery and Eye Doctor in the Star Tribune’s Minnesota’s Best Awards.
What are Cataracts?
Cataracts occur when the natural lens inside the eye becomes cloudy, causing vision to appear blurry, dim, or hazy. They develop slowly and are most often age-related, but can also be influenced by genetics, injury, certain medications, or health conditions like diabetes.
Left untreated, cataracts can interfere with everyday activities like reading, driving, or recognizing faces. The good news: cataracts are highly treatable, and vision can often be fully restored with the right care.
How do we detect cataracts?
During a comprehensive eye exam, your doctor will evaluate the clarity of your lens and look for early signs of cataract formation. Using advanced imaging and testing, we can track changes over time and determine when treatment is appropriate.
How are cataracts treated?
Sometimes all it takes is an updated glasses prescription. When that isn’t enough, surgery is required. Today, cataract surgery has advanced to where it is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can go home the same day.
What To Expect
Before surgery, our team uses advanced technology to take highly precise measurements of your eye, ensuring the lens power is tailored specifically to your vision.
FAQ - Cataracts
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside our eye. As we age, changes occur to our lens which cause discoloration of the lens, as well as thickening of the lens. These changes cause our eye to lose the ability to clearly focus light on the retina in the back of our eye, which leads to blurry vision.
What causes cataracts?
Most often, cataracts are just a part of the normal aging process. However, sometimes cataracts can be congenital, caused by trauma, associated with a medical condition (i.e. diabetes), or even associated with certain medications (i.e. corticosteroids).
What are some signs or symptoms of cataracts?
Your vision may become blurry, even with glasses. We may not be able to correct it with new glasses. The vision you have may seem more muted, and things like colors may not be as vibrant. You may experience more difficulty seeing fine print or details. You may require more light for activities, like reading, needlework, or puzzles. Driving may become more difficult, especially at night, and you may have trouble seeing street signs or have problems from glare or starbursts from headlights. Other visual phenomenon like ghost images and even double vision can occur.
FAQ - Cataract Surgery
🗓️ Scheduling and Preparing for Surgery
What time should I arrive at Midwest Surgery Center on the day of surgery?
The precise arrival time for your cataract surgery will come from a nurse, two business days prior to your scheduled surgery in an informational pre-surgical call.
How long will I be at the surgery center?
What will the surgery day be like?
Can I eat or drink in the morning of surgery?
Will I need a pre-operative history and physical from my primary care provider?
Yes, a pre-operative history and physical from your primary clinic is required within 30 days of surgery, but you are allowed to see any provider available. If you are having two surgeries, your surgery scheduler will give you a date range for the appointment to be valid for both surgeries. Your primary care provider can use our form or their own form, and fax it back to Midwest Surgery Center at 1-866-998-0619.
What should I do to prepare for cataract surgery at St. Paul Eye Clinic?
Can I take my regular medications before surgery?
🚗 Surgery Transportation and Support
Do I need someone to drive me home?
Yes, you will need someone to drive you home after surgery. The procedure requires anesthesia, and your vision may be blurry or impaired immediately afterward. Rideshare services like Lyft or Uber are only allowed if you have a responsible adult with you.
How long after surgery can I drive again?
What if I don’t have anyone to drive me?
📋 Surgery Cost and Insurance Coverage
Is surgery covered by my insurance?
Yes, surgery is generally covered by insurance, including Medicare, Medicaid, and most private health plans. However, coverage and costs can vary, and we strongly recommend calling your insurance directly to verify what copays and/or deductibles you will be responsible for. In addition, you are responsible for knowing if a referral is necessary from your primary care provider.
Will I receive separate bills from the surgeon, anesthesia, and facility?
How do I know if my insurance is accepted?
Please contact your insurance company to verify that Midwest Surgery Center, Metropolitan Anesthesia Network, and St. Paul Eye Clinic, P.A. are in your plan’s network, and to verify coverage amounts.
🔍 Day of Surgery Details
How is cataract surgery performed?
We make small incisions in the cornea, which is the front clear part of your eye. Ultrasound energy called phacoemulsification is used to break up the cataract and remove it from the eye. Then your lens implant, called an intraocular lens implant, or IOL, is placed inside the eye. This implant is usually made of acrylic. Once that is done the incisions are closed and often no stitches are needed.
Are there different types of lens implants?
In general, there are 3 different types of lens implants: monofocal, toric, and multifocal. Insurance covers monofocal lenses and the other two lens types are considered “premium lens implants,” because insurance will not cover the extra cost of the lens and the patient is required to pay for it “out of pocket.”
- The goal of a monofocal lens implant is to give you good vision at either distance or near.
- Toric lens implants help correct for astigmatism but otherwise function the same way a monofocal lens does. With both of these lens implants, glasses will likely be needed for whichever target you do not choose.
- The goal of a multifocal lens implant is to give you good vision at distance, intermediate and near. Multifocal lens implants will reduce your dependence on glasses for most activities, however you may still need them for your best vision.
What kind of anesthesia is used?
MAC (or monitored anesthesia care) will be used for surgery. This is administered through an IV. Occasionally, general anesthesia is necessary. Your surgeon will let you know if that is needed for you.
Will I be awake during the procedure?
A patient receives anesthesia to relax and reduce anxiety during a procedure, but they remain awake and breathing on their own.
🩺 Follow-up & Recovery from Surgery
What is recovery like?
Generally, it will take a few days for your vision to clear up. Your surgeon will discuss restrictions you have after surgery. You will have eyedrops to use. You will likely have a period where your eye is sensitive to the light, as well as having a foreign body sensation (i.e. feeling like you have an eyelash in your eye). You will have several post-operative appointments to make sure your eye is healing appropriately. A glasses prescription, if needed, can be prescribed several weeks after surgery.
When is the first follow-up visit?
The first follow-up visit after surgery is scheduled the day after the procedure, within 24 hours. This visit allows the surgeon to check for any immediate complications, assess healing, and adjust medication as needed.
Are there activity restrictions after surgery?
Yes, there are activity restrictions after surgery, primarily to prevent infection, irritation, and increased eye pressure, which can hinder healing and potentially lead to complications. These restrictions typically include avoiding strenuous activities, swimming, and bending over, with the duration of restrictions varying depending on individual healing progress.
When can I return to work?
Most people can return to work within 1-3 days after surgery, but the exact timing depends on the nature of their job and individual recovery. If your job involves physical labor or you experience vision fluctuations, you may need more time to recover. Consult with your surgeon for personalized advice based on your specific situation.
Who do I call if I experience pain or complications?
St. Paul Eye Clinic has a provider on call 24 hours a day at 651-738-6500. For severe concerns or changes in a patient’s condition, go to the nearest emergency room.
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