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Cataracts

A cataract is defined by the clouding of the eye's natural lens, which is a result of the years-long buildup of proteins in the lens as we get older. Though cataracts are painless, it is a serious condition that may result in progressive loss of vision if left undiagnosed and untreated. There are many possible causes of cataracts, which may include injury or trauma to the eye, side effects from medications, chronic health conditions such as diabetes, and accumulated exposure from the environment (smoking, UV light, etc).

In addition to vision impairment that may interfere with conducting daily activities, cataract sufferers may experience the following symptoms:

  • Double vision
  • Blurred vision
  • Sub-optimal vision in bright light or during the night
  • Seeing halos around lights
  • Yellow tinted or color-faded vision
  • Frequent prescription updates for eyeglasses or contact lenses

Fortunately, cataract surgery is an overwhelmingly safe and effective treatment, with well over 95% of patients enjoying successful restoration of their vision and experiencing minimal (if any) complications. To learn more about your treatment options and to schedule an appointment, you may contact our office.

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closeup of elderly woman's eye with cataracts

What is a Cataract?

A Cataract is clouding of the eye’s normally clear lens which is a lens behind the iris, or the colored part of the eye, which results in blurred vision.  This lens helps us to focus on an image for clear vision.  Aging and medication, which sometimes is a side effect, will allow the lens to become clouded with deposits.


Removal of the natural lens of the eye which has developed opacification, or a cataract, is done by lens replacement or Cataract Surgery. The lens is then replaced with an intraocular lens.


A Cataract is the clouding of the eye's normally clear lens. The lens is behind the iris (the colored part of the eye), and helps to focus the image for clear vision. With age, and sometimes as a side effect of some medication, the lens becomes clouded with deposits. This clouding in the lens results in blurred vision.


Cataract Surgery, also called lens replacement surgery, is the removal of the natural lens of the eye that has developed an opacification which is referred to as a cataract, and its replacement with an intraocular lens.

Monofocal Lens

A Monofocal (one distance) lens is implanted and Medicare/insurance issued once the cataract is removed by cataract surgery.  Once you have this surgery the implant may allow you to be less dependent upon glasses, but most people require glasses for seeing at a distance as well as intermediate and near vision, but you should plan on wearing glasses most of the time.  This lens does not correct for vision distorting astigmatism.

Toric Lens

Toric Lens, a type of intraocular lenses (IOLS) are used to replace your eye’s cloudy lens during cataract surgery. Using a Toric Lens allows your doctor to correct your cataract and your pre-existing astigmatism, during a simple procedure.

Multifocal Lens

A lens called presbyopia-correcting lenses also referred to as Multifocal intraocular lenses have begun to replace monofocal intraocular lenses, which allow correction of ALL distances, in an effort to make vision as natural as possible.

A SCAN

A SCAN ultrasound biometry (which is short for amplitude scan) is commonly referred to as an A-scan.  The most common use of the A-scan is to determine eye length for calculation of intraocular lens power.  This scan is a routine type of diagnostic test that is used in optometry or ophthalmology to provide data on the length of the eye, which is a major determinant in common sight disorders.

Optiwave Refractive Analysis (ORA)

The ORA™, or Optiwave Refractive Analysis, is a device used during cataract surgery that allows the surgeon to take vital micro-measurements of the patient's eye. Taking these measurements while performing cataract surgery increases the doctor's level of accuracy, which helps to maximize optimal vision results for the patient post-operation.

Not sure what to expect from cataract treatment?

Watch this quick video to learn more from Dr. Mann about cataract surgery, and hear a testimonial from our patient Rene about her experience.

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