Premium cataract surgery in Provo, Utah Fully customized for your lifestyle and vision needs
Don’t let cataracts get in the way of your daily activities. Contact us today to schedule your personalized cataract evaluation.
What is a Cataract?
As light enters the front of the eye, it passes through the cornea and the pupil and is then focused by the lens. Normally, the lens is clear and provides clean detailed vision. With time the lens becomes cloudy, a cataract forms.
Cataracts can progress slowly and take years to impair your vision or advance quickly and impair your vision in a matter of months especially in settings of trauma, surgery or with the use of certain medications. The development of cataracts is natural part of the aging process and will gradually form as patients get older.
What is a Cataract?
As light enters the front of the eye, it passes through the cornea and the pupil and is then focused by the lens. Normally, the lens is clear and provides clean detailed vision. With time the lens becomes cloudy, a cataract forms.
Cataracts can progress slowly and take years to impair your vision or advance quickly and impair your vision in a matter of months especially in settings of trauma, surgery or with the use of certain medications. The development of cataracts is natural part of the aging process and will gradually form as patients get older.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
- Clouded, blurred or dim vision. Some patient describe this as a feeling of having a film over their vision that does not go away after blinking.
- Difficulty with night driving
- Sensitivity to light and glare, seeing “halos” around lights.
- Fading or yellowing of colors.
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription.
- Double vision
If you notice any changes in your vision or develop sudden vision changes such as double vision or blurriness, see your doctor right away.
Normal Vision
Cataract Vision
Normal Vision
Cataract Vision
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
- Clouded, blurred or dim vision. Some patient describe this as a feeling of having a film over their vision that does not go away after blinking.
- Difficulty with night driving
- Sensitivity to light and glare, seeing “halos” around lights.
- Fading or yellowing of colors.
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription.
- Double vision
If you notice any changes in your vision or develop sudden vision changes such as double vision or blurriness, see your doctor right away.
What is the treatment for cataracts?
Cataract Surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures and has a low rate of complications. All cataract surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center, and usually takes 20 minutes or less. We treat one eye at a time and generally schedule the eyes two weeks apart. This is important to ensure full healing of the first eye before moving forward with the second eye. The most common form of cataract surgery uses a process called phacoemulsification.
During the procedure you will be given dilating and anesthetic drops. Your surgeon will make a small incision in your cornea (the front part of your eye) in order to access the cataract. A thin ultrasound probe is then used to create ultrasonic vibrations to dissolve the cataract. The resulting tiny fragmented pieces are then removed. Once removed, an artificial lens is placed into the same space that the cataract occupied. This lens helps properly focus light onto your retina, providing clear vision.
What is the treatment for cataracts?
Cataract Surgery is one of the most commonly performed procedures and has a low rate of complications. All cataract surgery is performed in a hospital or surgical center, and usually takes 20 minutes or less. We treat one eye at a time and generally schedule the eyes two weeks apart. This is important to ensure full healing of the first eye before moving forward with the second eye. The most common form of cataract surgery uses a process called phacoemulsification.
During the procedure you will be given dilating and anesthetic drops. Your surgeon will make a small incision in your cornea (the front part of your eye) in order to access the cataract. A thin ultrasound probe is then used to create ultrasonic vibrations to dissolve the cataract. The resulting tiny fragmented pieces are then removed. Once removed, an artificial lens is placed into the same space that the cataract occupied. This lens helps properly focus light onto your retina, providing clear vision.
Our team of dedicated ophthalmologists delivers exceptional cataract surgery outcomes. We prioritize your vision and well-being, ensuring you receive personalized and comprehensive care. Contact us today to schedule your cataract evaluation. All of our ophtalmologists are dedicated to providing you with your best outcome after surgery.
Contact us today to set up your cataract evaluation!
Lens options for cataract surgery
An added benefit to cataract surgery is that you have lens options to choose from with the goal of reducing the need for or even eliminating the need for glasses after surgery. With recent advancements in these lenses, many patients do not require glasses after cataract surgery, or only wear them occasionally. Your physician will review the following options with you and make recommendations based on your visual desires at the time of surgery.
Monofocal (standard single focus)
Monofocal (standard single focus)Standard lenses give you sharp vision at a single distance, either up close or far away, but not both. If you choose a lens that is set for near vision, you will wear glasses for driving or to see objects at a distance. If you choose a lens set for distance vision, you will wear glasses for reading or to see objects up close.
Toric (astigmatism correction)
Toric (astigmatism correction)Toric lenses are similar to standard lenses with the added benefit of correcting astigmatism. Astigmatism is present when the cornea is steeper in one axis compared to the other. The toric lens offsets astigmatism in the cornea which will decrease your dependence on glasses after surgery. Not everyone is a candidate for toric lenses. Dr. Gardiner will examine your eyes and discuss this option with you at your pre-operative appointment.
Monovision
MonovisionMonovision correction includes using either a standard or toric lens to correct one eye for distance and one eye for near. This is a great option for patients who have previously tried monovision with contact lenses. In most cases your brain needs to adjust to the difference between the two eyes and not everyone can tolerate this discrepancy.
Multifocal or Trifocal (premium multi focus)
Multifocal or Trifocal (premium multi focus)Premium lenses are designed to eliminate your need for glasses at distance and near. These lenses have concentric rings which allow your brain to naturally focus through different parts of the lens for distance or near activities. We offer the latest in multifocal technology with the Alcon Panoptix and Alcon Vivity lenses.
Alcon Vivity
- Great range of vision
- Minimal risk of glare or halo at night
- 90% satisfaction rate
- Clear vision far away, at arm’s length, and up close.
- May need readers at times for very small print.
Alcon Panoptix
- Best range of vision possible for a premium lens
- Higher risk of glare or halo at night
- First and only trifocal lens in the United States
- Clear vision far away, at arm’s length, and up close.
- 99% satisfaction rate.
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Utah Valley Eye!
Cataracts FAQ
Medicare typically covers most of the cost of cataract surgery with the use of a standard lens. Please talk with our surgery coordinator to go over your specific plan and individual cost.
You will want to take the day of your surgery off. Most people are ok to go back to their normal activities the day after surgery. Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle at your pre-operative appointment.
We ask that you stay away from any dirty water such as lakes, pools, and hot tubs or dirty environments for 2 weeks after your procedure. Avoid vigorous activity or lifting anything too heavy for one week after surgery.
Because of the risk of infection we do not operate on both eyes on the same day. We will schedule your surgeries 2 weeks apart from each other to make sure the first eye fully heals before moving forward with the second eye.
Yes, you can have cataract surgery after LASIK. However, previous LASIK can slightly alter the measurements we use before cataract surgery. Your physician will discuss an additional scan that can be done during your procedure called an ORA to confirm the measurements before implanting a lens.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Plan on being at the surgery center for 2 hours.
Most patients are ready for surgery when their vision is interfering with their daily activities. You may notice a decrease in quality of vision at night and more halos around lights. You may also notice needing more light to read in dim lit situations or light sensitivity in very bright lighting situations. It is important to get an eye exam yearly so your physician can tell you of any changes in cataract formation or decrease in vision.
The new lens will last the rest of your life. You will never need another cataract surgery.
A thin layer of particles can grow on the backside of the capsule that holds the new lens in place. This is treatable with a quick and painless in-office procedure called a YAG. It is important to get yearly exams after surgery to monitor the clarity of your new lens.
Cataracts FAQ
Medicare typically covers most of the cost of cataract surgery with the use of a standard lens. Please talk with our surgery coordinator to go over your specific plan and individual cost.
You will want to take the day of your surgery off. Most people are ok to go back to their normal activities the day after surgery. Talk to your surgeon about your lifestyle at your pre-operative appointment.
Because of the risk of infection we do not operate on both eyes on the same day. We will schedule your surgeries 2 weeks apart from each other to make sure the first eye fully heals before moving forward with the second eye.
Yes, you can have cataract surgery after LASIK. However, previous LASIK can slightly alter the measurements we use before cataract surgery. Your physician will discuss an additional scan that can be done during your procedure called an ORA to confirm the measurements before implanting a lens.
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes about 20-30 minutes. Plan on being at the surgery center for 2 hours.
Most patients are ready for surgery when their vision is interfering with their daily activities. You may notice a decrease in quality of vision at night and more halos around lights. You may also notice needing more light to read in dim lit situations or light sensitivity in very bright lighting situations. It is important to get an eye exam yearly so your physician can tell you of any changes in cataract formation or decrease in vision.
The new lens will last the rest of your life. You will never need another cataract surgery.
A thin layer of particles can grow on the backside of the capsule that holds the new lens in place. This is treatable with a quick and painless in-office procedure called a YAG. It is important to get yearly exams after surgery to monitor the clarity of your new lens.