Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the world, and cataract surgery is the most commonly performed surgery in America. Cataracts, or clouding of the natural lens in the eye, affect over 50% of people over age 50 and over 70% of people over age 70. This is usually an age-related disease, although it can also result from eye trauma, steroid use, diabetes, and other diseases.

Not everyone with cataracts needs surgery. However, when the vision becomes cloudy enough to affect daily activities, then surgery can help restore clear vision. Modern surgery to remove the cloudy lens is usually very quick, low-risk and highly effective.

Cataract surgery is a painless outpatient procedure performed in our modern ambulatory surgery center in Santa Maria. Most cases can be done with no needles, no stitches, and no patches with light sedation anesthesia. Typically the vision is greatly improved even within a few hours after the operation.

The cataract surgeons at Shepard Eye Center are some of the most experienced in the country. Our doctors have performed more than 20,000 cataract and lens implant surgeries.

Because an artificial lens is used to replace the cataract, many patients don’t need eyeglasses for clear far vision after surgery. There are many intraocular lens options available today. Insurance typically covers the cost of cataract surgery and an advanced artificial lens. Some newer lenses, such as the ReSTOR lens, may not be covered by insurance but are very popular and give most patients clear far and near vision without the need for glasses!

To schedule a cataract screening appointment, please contact us today.