Cataract Surgery: all you need to know

Cataract surgery is something that virtually all of us will have to undergo as we age. Statistics show that, by the age of 80, everyone will either have cataracts or have had them removed. Apart from some rare causes that mean the disease occurs in younger people (congenital or traumatic), most cataracts don’t begin to form until after we reach the grand old age of 60 and beyond.

Cataract surgery is the most commonly carried out operation in the US, with millions being performed each year. The following covers all the FAQs you might have about a cataract operation.

FAQs: from the procedure and different lenses to cataract surgery cost

• When will I need cataract surgery?
• How long does the operation take?
• What is the average cataract surgery cost?
• Will Medicare cover my cataract surgery cost?

When will I need cataract surgery?

Surgery is carried out when your cataracts are having a significant impact on your vision. Because they evolve very slowly, this is likely to be some years after a diagnosis. The expression for cataracts that are ready to be operated on is that they are “ripe”.

At this stage, you’ll be experiencing visual symptoms, such as:

• Colors fading and/or having a yellowish tinge
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Seeing halos around light sources
• Have trouble seeing at night or in low light
• Difficulty reading or seeing fine detail

While you’ll most likely have cataracts in both eyes, they usually evolve at different speeds. Therefore, you’ll only have one cataract removed at a time. 

How long does the operation take?

The actual operation is very quick, taking only about 15-20 minutes. With the necessary prep, you can expect to be in the surgeon’s chair for around 30-40 minutes. 

A cataract operation is carried out on an outpatient basis, meaning you’ll return home the same day.

What is the average cataract surgery cost?

The cost of cataract surgery will be determined by whether you have a traditional procedure or an advanced, laser-assisted one. It’s further impacted by your choice of artificial lens (known as an intraocular lens, or IOL). 

IOLs come in different forms, including monofocal, bifocal, and premium lenses that can provide focused vision at all distances. Some of these latter types use the muscles of the eye to create a natural focusing ability. If you choose premium lenses, then you have to have a laser-assisted surgical procedure.

The average cost of cataract surgery is between $3,000 to $5,000 for a traditional procedure with a monofocal lens. A laser-assisted operation with a premium lens ranges from $4,000 - $6,000. These costs are for a single eye.

Will Medicare cover my cataract surgery cost?

Medicare will usually cover the cost of a traditional surgical procedure and a basic lens. If you choose to upgrade to a more advanced lens (and therefore laser cataract surgery), then you’ll have to pay the difference. Before you commit to any procedure, be sure to check the small print of your Medicare (or other insurance) policy to see what is and isn’t included.

Need to Discuss Cataract Surgery? Call the Experts at the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic

There’s no better place in the US to undergo cutting-edge cataract surgery than the Modern Cataract Surgery Clinic at the West Boca Eye Center. Run by the renowned cataract specialist surgeon, Brent Bellotte MD., this surgical facility offers the very latest advanced procedures and IOLs for the ultimate visual outcome.

We carry out both traditional and laser-assisted cataract operations, as well as fitting all types of premium IOL to suit your lifestyle.

Discover more at https://www.moderncataractsurgery.com and call today to book an initial consultation.