Is Cataract Surgery Right for You?

Do you experience one or more of these symptoms? Blurred vision, glare while driving at night, more difficulty reading? You could be experiencing the early signs of cataracts, and should schedule a complete eye examination.

  • Blurred Vision

    Vision changes are usually gradual and difficult to perceive. You may feel like you’re looking through fogged glass. When cataracts are present, the blurred vision cannot be fully corrected by eyeglasses.

  • Frequent Prescription Changes

    Cataracts are associated with increased near-sightedness (myopia). Quickly deteriorating eyesight could be a warning sign to schedule a complete eye exam as soon as possible.

  • Double Vision in One Eye

    Diplopia causes you to see a duplicate of an object you are looking at.

  • Change in Color Perception

    Your vision may take on a slightly altered hue, or you are unable differentiate between colors.

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What Results are Possible?

Cataract surgery can often reduce the need for prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and sometimes even reading glasses.

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Can You Treat Cataracts Without Surgery?

To date, no medication has been proven to prevent or reverse cataracts – the only treatment is their removal via the cataract procedure.

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THE GEORGIA OPHTHALMOLOGISTS APPROACH

While there are various surgical options to treat cataracts, we offer the most advanced individualized care. This combined with Dr. Bigles’s extensive experience provides patients with superior results that often eliminates the need for glasses at all.

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What Our
Patients Say

From the front office staff, to the technicians and physicians…excellent! This is a “patient-friendly” office! Thank you for providing such great care of us!!!

G.A.

Dr. Bigles is the best…He takes very good care of our eyes. The staff is always friendly and very helpful.

G.B.

Had cataract surgery. Dr. Bigles was amazing. Please if anyone is worried or scared about cataract surgery just make an appointment with him. He will quiet your fears.

N.W.

Dr. Bigles is awesome! His surgical staff is wonderful and they were all very reassuring and supportive when I had my cataract surgery last year. Very caring and compassionate!

M.S.

The BEST ophthalmology practice in Georgia! I love all the doctors there and the staff go out of their way to make your experience amazing! I will not trust my vision or my family’s eye care with anyone else!

B.A.

Dr. Bigles is the best eye doctor I have ever been to. He patiently and kindly helped me through a very tough time in my life when I had corneal erosions in both eyes. He saved my life when he performed surgery on both eyes. Dr. B you are the best!

C.S.

Excellent care. Never was treated so nicely or the same in The Bronx N.Y. Can’t wait for my next appointment. Great job everyone.

D.T.

When the day came glasses/contacts were no longer sufficient options, Dr. Bigles assured me Multifocal Lens replacement was the answer. For the first time in my life, I have no glasses, no contacts, colors are more vivid, everything is crystal clear. The gift of sight is priceless.

C.M.
CATARACTS

Cataract surgery is quick, painless – and can change your life completely!

Your vision will improve within just a few days.

The treatment for cataract removal is phacoemulsification, in which the cloudy lens is emulsified (or made liquid) with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated (suctioned out) from the eye. Dr. Bigles will then place a new artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), which will be left in the eye permanently. There are multiple IOL options available to provide patients with their desired visual outcome after the procedure. These include: Monofocal lenses where the vision will improve while still using glasses. Toric lenses for the correction of astigmatism which deliver the best distance vision your eyes can achieve without depending on glasses, Multifocal lenses for the correction of distance and near vision, Extended-depth of focus lenses (Symfony) to correct distance vision and intermediate (computer vision), Multifocal Toric lenses that correct distance vision, near vision and astigmatism, and Extended-depth of focus toric lenses that correct distance vision, intermediate vision and astigmatism.

More often, Georgia Ophthalmologists performs laser cataract surgery using the CATALYS precision laser system. The CATALYS System will image your eye and make precise 3D maps of relevant structures. This enables Dr. Bigles to create a tailored treatment plan that is uniquely customized for your eye. Using the CATALYS System, the surgeon will create precise incisions, including a circular one to access and remove the cloudy lens, and replace it with the new artificial lens.

During your cataract consultation, your surgeon will discuss treatment options and which one is best for you.

1CATARACT CONSULTATION

During your consultation, your ophthalmologist will perform a complete eye examination that includes a thorough medical history. You’ll also have a pre-operative consultation that will include a discussion about your expectations for your vision following cataract surgery. It’s helpful to come prepared with a list of questions and concerns so that you leave the consultation feeling confident about your choice. If you are ready to proceed with surgery, a counselor will discuss logistics with you, such as how to get to and from surgery, what medications you’ll need, and what you need to do to prepare in the days leading up to your procedure.

2DAY OF YOUR PROCEDURE

Plan to have someone drive you to and from the appointment and plan to be with us for about 3 hours. The procedure itself lasts just 10 to 15 minutes followed by a short stint in recovery prior to discharge.

3THE PROCEDURE

One treatment for cataract removal is Phacoemulsification in which the eye’s internal lens is emulsified (or made liquid) with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated (suctioned out) from the eye. Then the surgeon will put in a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL), which will be left in the eye permanently.

More often, Georgia Ophthalmologists performs laser cataract surgery using the CATALYS precision laser system. The CATALYS System will image your eye and make precise 3D maps of relevant structures. This enables the surgeon to create a tailored treatment plan that is uniquely customized for your eye. Using the CATALYS System, the surgeon will create precise incisions, including a circular one to access and remove the cloudy lens, and replace it with a new artificial lens.

During your cataract consultation, your surgeon will discuss which treatment option is best for you.

Our Patient-Centric Approach to Treatment

Georgia Ophthalmologists believes treating each person as an individual is an essential part of each patient’s #VisionForLife.

Dr. Jose Bigles

Dr. Jose Bigles is a fellowship-trained refractive surgeon experienced in treating a wide variety of ophthalmic disorders, and specializes in restoring vision through cataract and LASIK correction. Contact our office to schedule an examination!

LEARN MORE

FAQ

  • What are cataracts?

    A cataract is a common medical condition in which the normally transparent lens of the eye becomes cloudy and hard. In a healthy, unclouded lens, light is able to pass through to the retina at the back of the eye, allowing us to see detail. As the lens becomes cloudy, vision becomes blurred, and if left untreated, it will interfere with daily activities. Cataracts commonly develop as a result of aging, but they also can be caused by disease, trauma and certain medications like steroids.

  • How do I know if I have cataracts?

    At first, the cloudiness caused by a cataract may be subtle and you may be unaware of any vision loss. As the cataract becomes more dense, images become increasingly hazy due to distortion of the light passing through it. This may lead to more noticeable symptoms such as:

    • Increased difficulty with nighttime vision
    • Sensitivity to light and glare
    • Need for brighter light for reading and other activities
    • Seeing “halos” around lights
    • Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
    • Fading or yellowing of colors

    If you notice any changes in your vision, including the symptoms listed above, you should make an appointment for an eye exam at your earliest convenience.

  • Can cataracts be cured?

    As populations age and the average life expectancy continues to increase, the number of people with cataracts will only grow. Fortunately, it is a relatively simple condition to treat surgically.

    One treatment for cataract removal is phaco-emulsification, in which the eye’s internal lens is emulsified (or made liquid) with an ultrasonic handpiece and aspirated (suctioned out) from the eye. Then the surgeon will put in a new artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL), which will be left in the eye permanently.

    More often, Georgia Ophthalmologists performs laser cataract surgery using the CATALYS precision laser system. The CATALYS System will image your eye and make precise 3D maps of relevant structures. This enables the surgeon to create a tailored treatment plan that is uniquely customized for your eye. Using the CATALYS System, the surgeon will create precise incisions, including a circular one to access and remove the cloudy lens, and replace it with a new artificial lens

    During your cataract consultation, your surgeon will discuss treatment options and which one is best for you.

  • What can I expect after cataract surgery?

    Cataract surgery usually takes 15 minutes or less, and recovery is quick.

    Most normal activities, except strenuous exercise, need not be restricted following cataract surgery.

    Depending on the precise symptoms caused by your cataract, you may enjoy some or all of the following benefits of surgery:

    • Improved clarity of vision
    • Improved vision in dim light
    • Reduced glare on a sunny day or during night driving
    • Colors may seem richer
    • Improved vision may enable you to continue driving

    Many studies have shown improved quality of life after cataract surgery. Activities such as reading, sports, cooking, driving, using a computer and sewing are generally easier after the procedure. Even when the eye also suffers from other problems such as retinal disease, the remaining vision is usually improved by cataract surgery
    In many cases, patients who have had cataract surgery will also have an opportunity to become glasses and/or contacts free. Georgia Ophthalmologists uses a variety of lens implants to correct your distance vision, astigmatism and even your near vision after cataract removal. In most cases, we have the ability to provide glasses independence to our patients.

  • Is the surgery painful?

    There is little to no pain during or immediately after the procedure, although during the procedure, you may feel some tolerable pressure on your eyes. Before your cataract surgery begins, numbing eye drops are used to alleviate any pain or discomfort during the procedure. Also, routine cataract surgery does not require the use of stitches or needles. You will be given medication to help you relax during the procedure.

  • How long will I be in the surgery center, and how long will my recovery take?

    Cataract surgery is an out-patient surgical procedure performed at Georgia Ophthalmologists’ state-of-the-art ambulatory surgery center located in the Covington office. This means there is no need for a hospital stay or visit. Cataract surgery takes about 15 minutes, but adding in preoperative preparation and onsite recovery, you should plan to be at the surgery center for approximately 3 hours.

  • Will my cataract come back?

    Cataract surgery entails removal of the natural lens, and replacement with an artificial lens (IOL) which will not form a cataract. So cataracts, once removed via surgery, will not come back.

    Sometimes a posterior capsule opacity, or a ‘secondary cataract’, can occur after a cataract operation. This is where a hazy membrane forms just behind the IOL. This condition is very easily treated with a procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy, which removes the haziness, and restores normal vision. It is a fast, painless and very effective treatment performed as an outpatient procedure and takes about 2 to 3 minutes.

  • How much does it cost to treat cataracts?

    Insurance covers basic cataract surgery. Part of the free consultation offered by Georgia Ophthalmologists is a discussion of insurance details and the prices associated with all of our advanced technology options. There are many options for payment plans that make the procedure and follow-up treatment safe and affordable.

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We’d love to hear from you

Email us with general questions and comments. For serious eye care questions, please call us or schedule an appointment online.