Traditional Cataract Surgery in San Antonio, TX

A cataract is the clouding of the eye's lens, which cannot be corrected with glasses or contacts. Depending on the severity of the cataract, it can cause blurry vision and prevent individuals from doing simple, everyday tasks. Thanks to the advancements of modern medicine, cataracts can be treated with surgery. At Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center, our San Antonio, TX surgeons, Dr. Allison Young and Dr. Jana Waters, are highly trained in traditional cataract surgery to improve poor vision. Our team utilizes modern techniques and premium artificial lenses (IOLs) to enhance ocular health without the need for significant downtime. 

Cataracts typically develop with advanced age and if you have a cataract, it doesn't necessarily mean you will need surgery. Our surgical team generally only recommends surgery if your cataract has become too large, which has caused severe vision impairments, like double vision, blurriness, and trouble seeing at night. However, we encourage patients to schedule annual eye exams to monitor their ocular health instead of waiting until their vision is very poor to get the treatment they need. 

Cataract surgery is an extremely safe, outpatient procedure with very minimal downtime. It is also a very quick procedure and only takes about 15 minutes. As with any surgery, there is a small risk of complications, which our surgeons will review with you in detail at the time of your eye exam. During surgery, our surgeons will remove your natural lens (the cataract) by making a tiny incision in your cornea. A new synthetic lens (intraocular lens or IOL) is then implanted in the cornea. Since the incision is so small, sutures will not be necessary. 

When we are young, our natural lens is able to change shape, altering our focus from distance to near sight. The standard artificial IOLs (monofocals) used in cataract surgery cannot change focus, but they provide excellent vision for either distance or close reading. The newer premium or multifocal IOLs are a great option for some patients because they can help provide both distance and near vision after cataract surgery. In addition, we offer Toric IOLs to address astigmatism. Our surgeons can determine whether you are a candidate for a premium IOL and will help you choose the IOL that is best for you. 

After your cataract surgery, you will be on a series of eye drops to help your eye heal and prevent infection for several weeks. It's important to adhere to all aftercare instructions provided by our office to ensure optimal outcomes. In some cases, cloudiness will develop after cataract surgery. This is known as posterior capsular opacification. If this occurs, our surgeons can correct it with a minor laser surgery that only takes about five minutes to perform. Most patients experience great results after cataract surgery, but prescription glasses may still be needed to attain the best possible vision.

Restore your vision and quality of life with cataract surgery at Stone Oak Ophthalmology Center in San Antonio, TX. With modern cataract surgery, your vision can be dramatically improved and provide the sharpness you need for optimal function. Our highly trained ocular surgeons have helped countless patients all across Texas and will be happy to meet with you to see if cataract surgery is the best option for your ocular health.