Cataract Surgery FAQs
Answers to common questions about cataract surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures, but it is completely understandable to have questions before deciding to have surgery.
Here are answers to some of the questions patients ask most frequently.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye.
As the lens becomes cloudy, vision may become blurry, hazy, dim, or yellowed. Patients may also experience glare, halos, and difficulty seeing at night.
Do cataracts have to be removed immediately?
No.
Cataract surgery is generally recommended when the cataract is interfering with your vision or quality of life and glasses or contact lenses are no longer providing adequate improvement.
There is usually no need to wait until a cataract becomes extremely advanced.
Is cataract surgery painful?
Cataract surgery is generally very comfortable.
The eye is numbed with medication, and anesthesia and sedation are used as appropriate for the individual patient.
Most patients do not experience significant pain during the procedure.
How long does cataract surgery take?
The surgical portion of cataract surgery commonly takes less than 30 minutes.
You should plan on spending longer at the surgery center because there is preparation before surgery and monitoring afterward.
Do I have to stay overnight?
No. Cataract surgery is generally performed as an outpatient procedure.
You will go home the same day.
You will need someone to drive you home after surgery.
Will I be awake during cataract surgery?
Most patients are awake but very relaxed.
The eye is numbed, and you may see lights or blurry shapes during surgery.
Your anesthesia plan will be determined based on your health, comfort, and surgical needs.
What is an IOL?
IOL stands for intraocular lens.
The IOL replaces the natural lens that is removed during cataract surgery.
There are many types of IOLs, including monofocal, enhanced monofocal, toric, extended depth-of-focus, multifocal, trifocal, and Light Adjustable Lens options.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
That depends on the lens you choose and your visual goals.
Some patients are very happy to have excellent distance vision and wear reading glasses.
Other patients choose an advanced IOL designed to provide a broader range of vision and reduce their dependence on glasses.
No lens can guarantee that you will never need glasses.
What is a premium IOL?
“Premium IOL” generally refers to advanced lens technologies designed to provide benefits beyond a standard monofocal lens.
These may include lenses that correct astigmatism or provide a broader range of vision.
The appropriate choice depends on your individual eye and lifestyle.
What is a toric IOL?
A toric IOL is designed to correct astigmatism during cataract surgery.
Patients with significant astigmatism may benefit from a toric lens to improve their uncorrected vision after surgery.
What is a multifocal or trifocal IOL?
These lenses are designed to provide vision at multiple distances.
They can reduce dependence on glasses for distance, intermediate, and near activities.
However, some patients may experience halos, glare, or other optical effects. A careful evaluation is important before choosing this type of lens.
What is an EDOF lens?
EDOF stands for extended depth of focus.
These lenses are designed to provide a broader range of functional vision than a traditional monofocal lens, particularly for intermediate activities.
Reading glasses may still be needed for fine near work.
What is the Light Adjustable Lens?
The Light Adjustable Lens is an IOL that can be adjusted after cataract surgery using controlled light treatments.
This allows the postoperative refractive result to be refined after the eye has healed.
[Learn more about Light Adjustable Lens →]
What is ORA?
ORA, or Optiwave Refractive Analysis, is an intraoperative measurement technology that can provide additional information during cataract surgery.
It can help refine or confirm IOL power and assist with surgical planning in selected cases.
What is laser-assisted cataract surgery?
Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery uses a laser to perform certain preliminary steps of cataract surgery.
It does not mean that the entire cataract is removed by laser. The surgeon still completes the cataract removal and implants the IOL.
Both conventional phacoemulsification and laser-assisted cataract surgery are established approaches.
Is laser cataract surgery better than conventional cataract surgery?
Not necessarily for everyone.
The laser can provide precision for certain surgical steps, but it does not automatically produce a better result for every patient.
The best surgical approach depends on your eye and your individual surgical plan.
How quickly will I see after cataract surgery?
Many patients notice meaningful improvement in vision very quickly.
However, vision can fluctuate during the early healing period and may continue to stabilize over several weeks.
Your recovery depends on the health of your eye, the surgical procedure, the IOL selected, and other individual factors.
Can I drive after cataract surgery?
You should not drive until your vision is adequate for safe driving and your surgeon has cleared you to do so.
For many patients this is within several days, but the timing varies.
Can cataracts come back?
The cataract itself cannot come back because the cloudy natural lens has been removed.
However, the capsule that holds the IOL can become cloudy over time. This is called posterior capsule opacification, or PCO.
PCO can usually be treated with a quick outpatient laser procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is considered a highly successful procedure, but every surgery has risks.
Possible complications include infection, inflammation, corneal swelling, retinal swelling, changes in eye pressure, retinal problems, and other complications.
Your individual risk depends on your eye health and medical history.
A detailed examination allows us to discuss the risks and benefits specific to you.
Can I have cataract surgery if I have had LASIK?
Often, yes.
However, previous LASIK or other refractive surgery can make IOL power calculations more challenging.
Specialized measurements and formulas may be used to improve the accuracy of lens selection.
This is one situation where careful preoperative planning and, when appropriate, intraoperative technology such as ORA can be particularly helpful.
Can I have cataract surgery if I have glaucoma or corneal disease?
Possibly.
Cataract surgery planning should take into account the health of the entire eye.
Patients with glaucoma, corneal disease, macular disease, dry eye, or previous eye surgery may require additional evaluation or a modified surgical plan.
The presence of another eye condition does not automatically mean that cataract surgery is inappropriate.
Are both eyes operated on at the same time?
Cataract surgery is commonly performed one eye at a time.
The timing of the second surgery depends on your individual circumstances and the surgeon’s recommendation.
How long does a cataract lens last?
An IOL is designed to remain in the eye permanently.
Unlike the natural lens, it does not develop another cataract.
The capsule surrounding the IOL can become cloudy over time, but this can generally be treated with a YAG laser capsulotomy.
What should I bring to my cataract consultation?
Bring a list of your medications and information about your current glasses or contact lenses if available.
Most importantly, be prepared to discuss how you want to see after surgery.
Think about:
- Driving
- Reading
- Computer use
- Hobbies
- Sports
- Night vision
- How often you currently wear glasses
- How important reducing glasses dependence is to you
These details help us determine which surgical and lens options may be appropriate.
Still have questions?
Every eye is different, and an online FAQ cannot replace a comprehensive examination.
If cataracts are affecting your vision, schedule a cataract consultation to discuss your options and determine which approach is best for your eyes and lifestyle.
Schedule a Cataract Consultation by calling 858-273-0200
This article was originally written on 08/25/2026 by Angelique Pillar, MD