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Cataract Surgery
Cataract Surgery in San Antonio
If you have cataracts, they either are impairing your vision or they will soon. And the only way to help you see clearly again like you remember is to have cataract surgery. But cataract surgery is not all the same. Today’s leading-edge techniques offer greater precision, more flexibility, an easier patient experience and better surgical outcomes.
Advanced Cataract Surgery Technology
At Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates in San Antonio and Del Rio, our experienced ophthalmologists are as committed to leading-edge care as they are to your best vision and best eye health. In fact, your eyesight is why we’re dedicated to providing the most advanced, effective and appropriate cataract surgery care available today.
With the advanced precision of lasers and microincisional techniques, our surgeons are able to offer care options that other providers don’t because they use older methods. Our extreme precision allows us to offer more options for replacement lenses (intraocular lenses), including those that permit focus at multiple distances. Advanced precision also means we can often perform refractive surgery in combination with cataract surgery to help you see clearly and avoid wearing lenses or contacts that correct your vision. And overall, we may be able to restore your clear vision without blades or stitches and with unsurpassed ease and comfort.
Cataract Symptom Checker
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What are cataracts?
The eye’s natural lens is made up of proteins. As we age, these proteins can begin to stick together and clump up to form cataracts. As more and more of these form, they begin to cloud your eyesight. And the problem is progressive, meaning that it can evolve to totally rob you of your vision. If you have a cataract, let one of MCOA’s board-certified eye surgeons remove and replace your lens for the clear vision you remember.
When Is Cataract Surgery Recommended?
Cataracts develop slowly, and in the early stages, updated glasses or brighter lighting may be enough to manage the changes in your vision. But once your cataracts start getting in the way of everyday life by making it hard to drive, read, watch TV, or recognize faces, surgery is typically the best next step. Your MCOA surgeon will help you understand where you are in the process and when the timing makes sense for you.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery at MCOA is an outpatient procedure that typically takes about 15–20 minutes per eye.
Before the procedure, you’ll receive numbing drops to prevent any pain. Your surgeon begins by making a tiny incision in the eye, so small that it usually requires no stitches and seals on its own. Using a technique called phacoemulsification, a small ultrasonic probe is used to gently break up the cloudy natural lens into tiny pieces, which are then carefully removed from the eye. Once the lens is out, your surgeon places a new artificial lens, called an intraocular lens, or IOL, into the same natural pocket where your original lens sat. The IOL stays in place permanently, and your eye begins healing right away.
IOL Options at Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates
One of the most important decisions you’ll make about cataract surgery is choosing your replacement lens. At MCOA, we offer a full range of intraocular lenses, so we can match you with the best option for your eyes, your lifestyle, and your vision goals.
Standard Monofocal IOLs
These lenses correct vision at one fixed distance, typically far away, and are covered by most insurance plans. Many patients who choose a monofocal lens do very well for distance tasks like driving, but may still need reading glasses for close-up work.
It’s also important to know that if you have astigmatism, which is very common, a monofocal lens alone won’t correct it. Depending on the degree of astigmatism present, you may still need glasses or contacts to sharpen your distance vision, in addition to reading glasses for close-up tasks.
Your surgeon will discuss what to expect based on your individual prescription.
Astigmatism-Correcting IOLs (Toric IOLs)
If you have astigmatism, which is an irregularity in the shape of your cornea, a standard lens won’t address it. Toric IOLs are specially designed to correct astigmatism at the same time as the cataract is removed, giving you much clearer, more stable distance vision and often reducing your dependence on glasses.
It’s worth noting that not every level of astigmatism requires a toric IOL. Lower degrees of astigmatism can often be addressed with a laser adjustment at the time of surgery, which your surgeon will evaluate during your pre-operative workup.
Multifocal IOLs
For patients who want to reduce their dependence on glasses altogether, both near and far, multifocal IOLs are an exciting option. These advanced lenses are designed to give you a full range of vision, so you can see clearly up close, at arm’s length, and in the distance, often without needing glasses at all.
During your consultation, your surgeon will talk through whether multifocal lenses are a good fit for your eyes and your lifestyle.
Risks and Possible Complications of Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery has an excellent safety record, and serious complications are rare. The most common side effects, such as mild blurry vision, light sensitivity, or a scratchy feeling, are temporary and typically resolve within days to weeks.
Other rare risks include increased eye pressure, swelling, or infection, all of which your MCOA team monitors closely. Should any complication arise, you can feel confident that your surgeon won’t be navigating it alone. MCOA is a multi-subspecialty ophthalmology practice, meaning our team includes specialists across a broad range of eye care disciplines, from cornea and retina to glaucoma, so that if a concern falls outside routine post-operative care, the right expertise is already within our walls. Your surgeon will review anything specific to your situation before your procedure.
Recovery After Cataract Surgery
Most patients are surprised by how quick and smooth cataract surgery recovery is. Many notice clearer vision within a day or two, though it can take a few weeks to fully stabilize.
You’ll use prescription eye drops to aid healing, and you’ll want to avoid rubbing your eyes, getting water in them, or doing anything strenuous in the first week. Your first follow-up is typically the day after surgery, and most patients are back to everyday activities within 24–48 hours.
If both eyes are being treated, they’re scheduled a week or two apart to allow proper healing between procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Patient Education Links
Helpful information from the American Academy of Ophthalmology to help answer your questions. Click the links to learn more.
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This Content has been Reviewed and Approved by Our Doctors
The medical information provided on this page has been reviewed and approved by the physicians at Medical Center Ophthalmology Associates. Our team of board-certified ophthalmologists has thoroughly evaluated the content to ensure it provides accurate, up-to-date information on education, diagnosis, and treatment of cataract conditions. This content is intended to educate patients and share the clinical expertise of Medical Center of Ophthalmology Associates experienced providers. Please seek medical attention in case of an emergency.
