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Schedule an appointment at our San Antonio, Texas office to learn about cataracts, cataract surgery, and the ReSTOR® lens.









South Texas Eye Institute - San Antonio Cataract Surgery

Even patients who have had perfect vision their entire life, notice changes in their vision as they age. From glaucoma to presbyopia to cataracts, some visual defects are just a part of aging.

The skilled doctors at our San Antonio ophthalmology practice have treated cataracts for many years. Our experience and use of state-of-the-art vision correction technology make us a clear choice for cataract surgery.

Learn more about cataracts and the treatment options available at South Texas Eye Institute by reviewing the answers to frequently asked questions about cataracts.

What is a cataract?

Simply put, a cataract is a clouding on the eye's lens. Degenerative changes in the eye's structure cause protein to form and clump on the lens of the eye, producing a clouding effect. Typically, the degenerative changes are a natural occurrence in the aging process; however, eye injuries, diseases, and some medications can also contribute to the formation of cataracts. Because the crystalline lens of the eye needs to remain clear to properly focus images on the retina, a cataract will cause blurred vision.

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What are the symptoms of a cataract?

Some possible symptoms of a cataract include:

  • Blurred or distorted vision
  • Cloudy vision
  • Double vision
  • Inability to see bright colors at their full intensity
  • Progressive loss of vision/frequent need to update vision correction prescription
  • Poor night vision
  • Increased sensitivity to glare
  • Appearance of halos around lights
  • Visible white spot on pupil

The above symptoms are not exclusive to cataracts. If you are experiencing any of the above signs, schedule a vision assessment at our San Antonio ophthalmology office today. A vision examination will not only allow you to correct your vision, but it can also allow for early detection of serious health problems.

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At what rate do cataracts develop?

Cataracts develop in stages, but do not necessarily progress at the same rate. As the cataract increases in size, its symptoms also tend to grow.

Because cataracts can develop at different rates, some cataracts may quickly develop over a few months, while others may take years to mature. In some cases, cataracts never grow out of the early stages and present little or no vision problems. Cataracts in later stages, however, can make day-to-day living difficult.

Although many people eventually develop in both eyes, having a cataract in one eye does not lead to getting a cataract in the other eye; cataracts are not contagious.

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What are the treatment options for cataracts?

During the early stages of cataract development, vision problems can usually be corrected with a new prescription for eyeglasses or contacts, use of better lighting, or anti-glare sunglasses. During later stages, cataracts will need to be removed. In cataract surgery, the eye's lens is removed and replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) that acts a replacement for the natural lens.

Although there are some studies that suggest some diets may reduce the risk of cataracts, currently there is no evidence that any diet or medication can prevent or cure cataracts. Once a cataract develops, the only way to "cure" it is through cataract surgery.

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When should I have cataract surgery?

Being diagnosed with a cataract does not mean that you must have cataract surgery. If the vision loss from a cataract is not interfering with your life or can be easily remedied with an updated eyeglass prescription, you do not need to undergo cataract surgery.

Once the cataract is affecting your vision to the point where it is interfering you’re your daily living, you should discuss the situation with one of our San Antonio eye surgeons. Delaying cataract surgery will not make the surgery more difficult to perform or cause any long-term ill effects to your vision. Be sure to ask any questions you may have and to express any concerns to your surgeon, so you can make an informed decision about when to have cataract surgery.

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How is cataract surgery performed?

Cataract surgery is one of the most common vision correction operations in the United States. Advancements in technology allow cataract removal to be performed as an outpatient procedure using local anesthesia.

During the cataract removal procedure, the surgeon will remove the eye's natural lens using a process called phacoemulsification, or phaco. Through a small corneal incision, a small device uses ultrasound waves to break up and remove the lens. An intraocular lens (IOL) is then inserted through the incision to replace the natural lens.

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What are intraocular lenses (IOLs)?

Intraocular lenses, commonly referred to as IOLs, are implantable lenses used to replace the eye's natural crystalline lens during cataract surgery. An IOL will assume the function of the natural lens and will be undetectable. Today, IOLs are available as monofocal lenses (correcting vision for one distance) and multifocal lenses (correcting for near, far, and intermediate vision).

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What are the different types of IOLs available?

At South Texas Eye Institute, we offer multifocal (AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL and ReZoom™ IOL) and accommodating (Crystalens® IOL) IOLs.

AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL

The ReSTOR® IOL by AcrySof® is a multifocal intraocular lens that allows a recipient to see at near, intermediate, and far distances. Utilizing technology similar to that used to improve image quality in telescopes and microscopes, the AcrySof® ReSTOR® IOL decreases a patient's reliance on corrective eyewear. In fact, clinical studies have shown that 80 percent of participants that received the ReSTOR® IOL no longer needed glasses for any activity following the surgery.

ReZoom™ IOL

The ReZoom™ IOL is also a multifocal intraocular lens. The technological design of this IOL, called ReZoom™ Balanced View Optics™, relies on multiple focal points to allow patients to better see at various distances. This design provides farsighted cataract patients with a greater independence from glasses. Clinical trials of this refractive multifocal lens reported that 92 percent of participants rarely, if ever, used their corrective eyewear following surgery.

Crystalens® IOL

The Crystalens® IOL is the first intraocular lens to provide accommodation, mimicking the eye's natural lens's ability to adjust focus from near to far and all points in between. In many cases, cataract patients who had begun to suffer from presbyopia can enjoy freedom from glasses they have not experienced since the onset of presbyopia since their eye's natural lens had begun to lose flexibility and its ability to adjust properly.

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The Cataract Surgery Specialists at South Texas Eye Institute

At the state-of-the act facilities of South Texas Eye Institute in San Antonio, cataract surgery has benefited countless patients whose vision was fading, many who were nearly blind. Dr. Lisa Martén and Dr. Andrew J. Cottingham can help reintroduce you to a world of clear vision. Both of our experienced cataract surgeons will be happy to answer any questions you may have about cataract surgery and the difference in IOLs.

If you live in the San Antonio, Texas area and would like further information about cataract surgery, schedule a vision consultation at South Texas Eye Institute today. We pride ourselves on offering the latest advances in cataract surgery, including the technological breakthroughs of ReSTOR®, Crystalens®, and ReZoom™ intraocular lens implants.

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