Cataract Surgery at Washington Eye Institute

Cataract surgery is typically recommended when clouding of your natural lens begins to interfere with daily activities such as driving, reading, or working. During your evaluation, your ophthalmologist will assess the density of your cataract, measure your visual acuity, and discuss how your symptoms are affecting your quality of life. If updated glasses no longer provide adequate clarity, surgery is usually the most effective next step.

In most cases, cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, with the second eye scheduled after the first has healed sufficiently, usually within a few weeks. This approach allows your surgeon to evaluate the results of the first procedure and make any refinements for the second eye. Performing the surgeries separately also reduces the risk of bilateral complications.

Most patients experience noticeably clearer vision within the first few days and can return to light activities within a day or two. Full visual stabilization typically takes four to six weeks as your eye completes the healing process. During this period, you will use medicated eye drops and attend follow-up appointments so your care team can monitor your progress.

Whether you need glasses after surgery depends largely on the type of intraocular lens you choose. A standard monofocal lens typically provides clear distance vision, and most patients will still use reading glasses for close-up tasks. Premium lenses, such as multifocal or extended depth of focus options, are designed to reduce dependence on glasses across a range of distances, though some patients may still prefer glasses for prolonged reading or detailed near work.

A secondary cataract occurs when the thin capsule behind your intraocular lens becomes cloudy over time, causing your vision to become hazy again. This is not a new cataract forming but rather a natural response of the remaining lens capsule. The condition is treated with a YAG capsulotomy, a brief in-office laser procedure that creates a small opening in the cloudy capsule to restore clear vision.

Yes, cataract surgery can often be performed alongside procedures for other conditions, most commonly glaucoma. Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, or MIGS, can be done at the same time as cataract removal to help lower eye pressure and reduce the need for glaucoma medications. Your surgeon will evaluate whether a combined approach is appropriate based on your specific diagnoses and overall eye health.