Choosing a Cataract Surgeon

Is cloudy vision from cataracts making your daily activities more difficult? It’s probably time to consider having cataract surgery. Ophthalmologists can replace your eye’s cloudy natural lens with an artificial lens. The new lens will restore clear vision. Follow these steps to choose a qualified, successful eye surgeon.

Here are some steps to help you select an ophthalmologist for your cataract surgery.

1. Talk with your regular eye doctor. If your current eye doctor is an ophthalmologist, they may be able to do your surgery. Or they may recommend someone else, depending on what you need. For instance, you may decide to get a premium lens instead of a traditional monofocal lens. Ask your cataract surgeon if they have experience with these types of lenses. He or she can help you select the right type of premium lens for you.
2. Check with family and friends in your area who have had cataract surgery. Did they have a positive experience with their own cataract surgery? If so, they may recommend their ophthalmologist.
3. Go online to find eye surgeons in your area. Use the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Find an Ophthalmologist tool.

Once you meet with an eye surgeon, keep in mind that you do not have to commit to them for your surgery. Consider these things when you speak with an ophthalmologist about cataract surgery.

• Make sure you feel comfortable with that ophthalmologist and their office staff. Were you treated professionally and politely? Were you given enough information about the procedure, including its benefits and risks? Were all your questions answered?
• An ophthalmologist should never guarantee perfect vision from surgery. They should tell you that you may still need eyeglasses under certain conditions.
• In certain cases, you may be told that you might need a follow-up surgery. They call this an enhancement surgery. That procedure and the extra costs should be fully explained.
• Find out who will see you the day after surgery to check how you are healing. This might be the surgeon, another ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
• Ask the surgeon if their surgical center has ever had an outbreak of eye infections affecting more than one patient. If so, how many times? (This is a very rare occurrence, but it is a serious problem to be aware of.)