Cataract surgery at Buffalo Ophthalmology begins with detailed measurements and a conversation about how you use your vision every day. Our fellowship-trained cataract surgeons use diagnostic technology and a range of intraocular lens options to develop a surgical plan based on your eye health, visual goals, and lifestyle..
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Cataract Surgery in Western New York
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What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. The lens normally helps focus light so you can see clearly, but age-related changes can gradually cloud it. As a cataract progresses, vision may become blurry, dim, hazy, or affected by glare.
Cataracts become increasingly common with age. They don't always require surgery right away, but surgery is the only way to remove the cloudy natural lens. Our eye doctor can help determine when changes in your vision are significant enough to consider treatment.
Signs It May Be Time to Discuss Cataract Surgery
Cataracts often develop slowly. Surgery may become worth considering when changes in your vision begin to interfere with the activities that matter to you.
Common cataract symptoms include:
- Blurry or hazy vision that glasses no longer correct well
- Difficulty seeing at night or in low light
- Increased sensitivity to glare or bright headlights
- Halos around lights
- Colors that appear faded or yellowed
- Frequent prescription changes
- Difficulty reading, driving, or recognizing faces
- Double vision in one eye
These symptoms can also occur with other eye conditions, so an examination is important before assuming cataracts are the cause.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL.
The procedure is generally performed with numbing medication, and sedation may also be used. Through a small incision, the surgeon removes the cataract and places the IOL selected during your preoperative planning.
Your surgical plan depends on your eye health, measurements, lens choice, and any other eye conditions to consider.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery?
Cataract surgery involves more than removing a cloudy lens. Careful planning helps our surgeons select an IOL and surgical approach that fit your eye anatomy and visual priorities.
The cataract evaluation at Buffalo Ophthalmology may include technologies such as the IOLMaster 700, Pentacam, and Veracity surgical planning platform. These tools provide measurements that help our surgeons evaluate eye length, corneal shape, astigmatism, and other factors involved in lens selection and surgical planning.
We may recommend additional testing as needed. Retinal imaging and OCT can help identify macular or retinal findings that may affect expected vision after surgery. Patients with glaucoma, previous LASIK or PRK, corneal irregularities, dry eye, prior eye surgery, or other conditions may require additional planning.
Our cataract surgeons also bring focused training in areas such as glaucoma, corneal disease, and complex anterior segment surgery. That experience can be especially useful when a cataract is only one part of a patient’s eye health.
The goal is to combine accurate measurements with experienced surgical judgment so your treatment plan reflects both your eye health and the way you want to use your vision.
Cataract Lens Options
Eye Surgery Lens Options
One of the most important decisions you'll make during cataract surgery is which type of intraocular lens (IOL) will replace your natural lens.
Standard IOLs
Provide one primary focal point, usually for distance vision. After surgery, patients often still need glasses for reading, computer work, or other distances.
Trifocal & Multifocal IOLs
Designed to provide vision across more than one distance and may reduce dependence on glasses for some patients.
Toric IOLs
Toric IOLs are designed for patients with corneal astigmatism. They can correct a selected amount of astigmatism during cataract surgery and may reduce dependence on glasses for distance vision.
AcrySof™ IQ Vivity™ IOL
Vivity™ is an extended depth-of-focus IOL designed to provide a broader range of vision than a standard monofocal lens, particularly at intermediate distances.
AcrySof™ IQ PanOptix™ Trifocal IOL
PanOptix™ is a trifocal IOL designed to provide functional vision at near, intermediate, and distance ranges and may reduce the need for glasses in appropriately selected patients.
RayOne EMV IOL
RayOne EMV is an enhanced monofocal lens designed to extend the usable range of vision beyond that of a traditional monofocal lens.
AcrySof™ Toric IOL
AcrySof™ Toric lenses are designed to address corneal astigmatism while providing a selected distance focus.
LenSx Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery
For appropriate patients, the LenSx femtosecond laser can assist with selected steps of cataract surgery. These may include creating corneal incisions, opening the lens capsule, softening the cataract, and helping manage certain types of astigmatism.
LenSx is not necessary or appropriate for every patient. Our surgeons will explain whether laser-assisted cataract surgery may be useful based on the anatomy of your eye, your treatment plan, and your visual goals.
Recovery & Results After Cataract Surgery
Recovery is different for every patient. Your surgical team will provide instructions based on your procedure, eye health, and individual healing.
Prescription eye drops are commonly used after cataract surgery. For some patients, we may administer medication around the time of surgery to reduce the need for postoperative drops. Additional medication may still be necessary.
Follow-up appointments allow our eye care team to monitor healing, check your vision, and address any concerns during recovery.
Cataract Surgery FAQs
Can I drive after cataract surgery?
You will need someone to drive you home after surgery. Your vision may initially be blurry or sensitive to light. Wait until your surgeon confirms that your vision and recovery make it safe to drive again.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
Possibly.Standard IOLs typically correct distance vision only, so you may still need glasses for reading or up-close tasks. Premium options like multifocal or toric lenses can reduce your dependence on glasses at multiple distances.
Can a cataract come back?
No. Once the cloudy natural lens has been removed, that cataract cannot return. Some patients later develop posterior capsular opacification, or PCO, when the membrane behind the IOL becomes cloudy. If this happens, it can often be treated with an in-office laser procedure.
How do I prepare for cataract surgery?
Our surgical team will provide instructions based on your medical history and procedure. These may cover medications, eating and drinking, arrival time, and transportation.
Follow the instructions provided by your surgeon and anesthesia team, and arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery
What if I have another eye condition?
Many patients with glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, corneal disease, or other eye conditions can still be considered for cataract surgery.
These conditions may affect lens selection, surgical planning, and the visual improvement you can expect.
Do you offer any advanced techniques?
Dr. Deepan Selvadurai was an early adopter of dropless cataract surgery. For appropriate patients, medication administered around the time of surgery can minimize the need for postoperative eye drops.
Some patients may still require additional drops depending on their eye health and postoperative course.
Find the Right Cataract Surgery Plan in Western New York
If cataracts are affecting your vision or quality of life, you don’t have to wait. Our experienced cataract surgeons are here to answer your questions, explain your options, and help you take the next step toward clearer sight with cataract care in Williamsville and Orchard Park.