A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear, natural lens of the eye. Cataracts are caused by a chemical change of unknown origin in the eye, which causes blurred or distorted vision. Cataracts are a natural part of aging and cannot be prevented from forming, but early detection through regular eye exams can help maintain the clearest vision possible. While every person will develop cataracts, they more commonly occur in people over the age of 55. They may also occur at an earlier age in people who have had eye injuries or other ocular or systemic disease, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes or use certain medications. There is no pain associated with the condition, but there are several symptoms that indicate failing vision due to cataracts. These include:
- Blurred/hazy vision
- Spots in front of the eye(s)
- Sensitivity to glare
- A feeling of “film” over the eye(s)
- A temporary improvement in near vision
Vision loss from cataracts can often be corrected for a while with prescription glasses or contact lenses. For people who are significantly affected by cataracts, replacement surgery may be the preferred method of treatment. During cataract surgery, which is the most common surgical procedure in the country, the cloudy natural lens material is removed and replaced with an artificial lens called an intraocular lens or IOL.
Testimonial: Astigmatism Correction Cataract Surgery
Cataracts Overview
Explanation of Cataract Surgery in Navajo Language
IOL Options
Advanced Cataract Surgery
Most eye diseases are completely asymptomatic (show no noticeable symptoms) in their early stages when they are most easily treated (including glaucoma and retinopathies). Early detection, therefore, is an important part of eye care. It is imperative that patients, especially those at increased risk, receive routine screening by medical and surgical specialists trained in dealing with these disorders.
Our team of retina surgeons use the best imaging system in the world for retinal and macular diseases. Heidelberg high-definition imaging system allows for superior imaging and diagnosis of disease processes related to macular degeneration, diabetes, macular pucker, and inflammatory conditions of the retina and choroid. High-resolution video imaging angiography and 3D macular images can resolve details in the retina as small as a few microns – smaller than the width of a single red blood cell.
More patients trust their eyes to our visiting retina surgeons for their retinal surgery needs than to any other practice in the state.
Lens Options
When you have Cataract Surgery or Elective Refractive Lens Exchange Surgery, the natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial intra-ocular lens implant (IOL). Insurance will pay for a standard (single vision) IOL. With these, we do our best to correct your prescription, but they are a bit limited. Modern technology has allowed for the development of premium implants, that can better correct your prescription or lessen your dependence on glasses even further by extending the range of focus. These premium IOL’s are not covered by insurance, as they are considered to be an upgrade that is not medically necessary. While this means you will be paying out of your pocket for the premium IOL, for many people it’s worth the cost to be less dependent on glasses.
*Note: Lens fees do not include the fees for surgery or anesthesia that you may owe after billing has been submitted to your insurance. This is only what you will have to pay out of pocket on the day of surgery for the lens itself.
Standard
The Standard lens is typically fully covered by your insurance, (ie, no additional cost outside of copay or deductible). With this lens, we choose one range of focus to be best without glasses. For example, we can make your distance vision best without any glasses on, but you will require glasses for reading and intermediate (eg computer, dashboard) distance. The same can be done by correcting either your near or intermediate vision but will require glasses at the other distances. However, this lens may not correct all of your prescriptions, including astigmatism, so you will very likely have to wear glasses at all distances. If you do not mind wearing glasses, likely full-time, this is an excellent lens for you!
Out of pocket cost due on day of surgery: $0
Extended Depth of Focus - Eyhance , enVista Aspire
These lenses expand the range of focus your eye has without glasses. Unlike the standard, it can much more effectively compensate for your vision at two areas of focus rather than one - your distance and intermediate vision, or intermediate and near vision. This lens is ideal for the patient that would like to wear glasses less, but is okay wearing them occasionally, or for specific activities. This type of lens tends to have less side effects such as glare and haloing at nighttime than the Multifocals, so for those patients for which this is a non-negotiable, this is a great option! This lens will not correct your astigmatism. The measurements done in the clinic will let us know whether you have enough astigmatism to require correcting.
Out of pocket cost due on the day of surgery: $800 (with credit or debit card), or $750 (with cash or cashier’s check)
Toric - Eyhance, enVista Aspire
Toric lenses provide the same benefits of the extended depth of focus lenses. In addition to this, they can correct astigmatism in patients with enough that it would affect their vision after surgery. It is worth noting that in patients with astigmatism that is somewhat “irregular” in shape, this lens may require some post-operative adjustment in order to adequately correct the astigmatism. This is certainly not the case for every patient, but is a possibility. You will be notified after testing whether you are a good candidate to have your astigmatism corrected with this lens.
Out of pocket cost due on day of surgery: $1200 (with credit or debit card), or $1150 (with cash or cashier’s check)
Multifocal - Synergy and Symfony
Multifocal lenses provide the greatest depth of focus of a lens that we offer now. This lens provides improved vision at all three ranges without glasses - near, intermediate, and distance. However, this lens can cause an increase in glare and haloing around lights, which may be a particular problem for patients who spend a lot of time driving at night. This lens can correct your astigmatism as well.
The SYNERGY lens has improved clarity at all three ranges, but can cause an increase in glare and haloing. The SYMFONY lens does not have quite as sharp of clarity at all three ranges, but tends to cause much less glare and haloing. Your preferred lens will be different based on your lifestyle, and priorities.
Out of pocket cost due on day of surgery: $2350 (with credit or debit card), or $2250 (with cash or cashier’s check)
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens is our most adaptable lens possible. Though our measurements are extremely accurate, our eyes will always inherently be a little unpredictable - especially those of us who have had refractive surgery like LASIK, PRK, and RK. The prescription of this implanted lens can be changed after surgery to adjust for any residual refractive error, through a series of simple, in-clinic light treatments, starting approximately 1 month after surgery. Most patients require anywhere from 2-5 treatments, with 2 “Lock in” treatments at the end to prevent the corrected lens from adjusting any further. You will wear UV light-blocking glasses, clear or tinted and provided by our clinic, throughout the adjustment process to prevent the lens from changing on its own. Much like the standard, we choose one area of focus to be the best after surgery. However, the LAL has an extended depth of focus as well, allowing for improved intermediate vision, and can be adjusted to correct for astigmatism. Because adjustments are done after a month of healing from the surgery process, it more reliably corrects for any “irregular” astigmatism.
Out of pocket cost due on day of surgery: $3100 (with credit or debit card), or $3000 (with cash or cashier’s check)
