Eye Physicians of Austin: Cataract Surgery and Intraocular Lens Care

A cataract is a loss of transparency, or clouding, of the normally clear lens of the eye. As one ages, chemical changes occur in the lens that make it less transparent. The loss of transparency may be so mild that vision is hardly affected, or so severe that no shapes or movements are seen, only light and dark. When the lens gets cloudy enough to obstruct vision to any significant degree, it is called a cataract. Glasses or contact lenses cannot sharpen your vision if a cataract is present.

People at risk for developing cataracts are over 55 years old, have had eye injuries or disease, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes or use certain medications.

There is no pain associated with cataracts, but there are several symptoms that indicate failing vision due to cataracts, including:

Help from YOUR Austin Cataract Surgeon at Eye Physicians of Austin

Reducing the amount of ultraviolet light exposure by wearing a wide-brim hat and sunglasses may reduce your risk for developing a cataract, but once developed there is no cure except to have the cataract surgically removed. Outpatient surgical procedures can remove the cataract. The time to have the surgical procedure is when your vision is bad enough that it interferes with your lifestyle.

The Eye Physicians of Austin Eye Surgeon will meet with you and diagnose your condition to help determine the best treatment plan for your individual needs. Cataract surgery is a very successful operation. One and a half million people have this procedure every year and 95% have a successful result. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur during or after surgery and some are severe enough to limit vision. But in most cases, vision, as well as quality of life, improves.

Your Austin cataract surgeon will remove the cataract, and in most cases, implant an intraocular lens (IOL).

If a patient has cataract surgery and also has intraocular lenses implanted, Medicare covers glasses, contact lenses, or intraocular lenses provided by your Eye Physicians of Austin cataract surgeon. Medicare will cover glasses or contacts even if the patient had surgery before Medicare benefits began. (For cataract surgery alone, Medicare pays its standard benefits.) For an intraocular lens that also corrects vision for reading, the patient will have to pay some extra. If you have some other form of health insurance, ask your provider for details about coverage.