Cataract Surgery in Downtown

Cataract Surgery in Downtown

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(412) 471-9838

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. Gateway Eye Associates will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Woman smiling

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.


How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your Downtown optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact Gateway Eye Associates.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.

Patient Reviews
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173 Reviews
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- Oct. 12, 2024
Professional, thorough, friendly, accommodating, respectful. Always a pleasure.
- Sep. 06, 2024
From soup to nuts, the visit was amazing. No pressure or feeling of being rushed. Dr. Tocco is an am... azing young doctor.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Great group
- May. 14, 2024
Professional Team i like them
- Mar. 08, 2024
Everyone was very helpful and very friendly
- Jan. 19, 2024
Friendly, knowledgeable staff. They go the extra mile to help!! 10 out of 10 recommended.
- Jan. 06, 2024
I have been going to Gateway since 1991 love both Dr. Clement and Dr. Dang and their staff. They ha... ve the best equipment and really take care of you.
- Nov. 04, 2023
I visited Gateway Eye as a new patient because it is close to my place of employment and they accept... my vision insurance. Dr. Dang was exceptional. After she reviewed my medications and medical history, I admitted that I was overdue for a follow up with my medical provider regarding a potential medical issue that may effect my vision. Dr. Dang strongly encouraged me to follow up with my medical provider in regards to this issue. After my vision appointment, I scheduled the medical appointment that I needed to schedule. To make a long story short, this medical appointment resulted in a diagnosis for a medical condition that is now being treated. I personally would have blown the whole thing off until next year's visit with my PCP if not for Dr. Dang's encouragement to me to follow up on this. I specifically made this vision appointment because I suspected that I needed progressive lenses. Dr. Dang and the staff were excellent and they got me into my appointment promptly, and I was out of the appointment in a very short time with my new eyeglass prescription. It was very easy to order my new glasses from Gateway Eye. Finally, it was extremely easy to make an appointment at Gateway Eye. I intend to use them for my next vision appointment.
- Oct. 13, 2023
All the staff members were exceptionally kind and understanding as I navigated my insurance concerns... . When it came to choosing glasses, they provided valuable assistance in selecting the ideal frames for me
- Aug. 31, 2023
Very professional+ caring.I have been going to them for a long time.I would never change Doctors! Hi... ghly recommend! He is the only Doctor in my life that prescribed me glasses that actually helped me see better in my life!Great personality too!
- Aug. 21, 2023
Highly recommend Gateway Eye Associates.
- Jul. 14, 2023
I felt comfortable with everyone and assured that I was in good hands
- Jul. 11, 2023
Dr Clement always listens to everything I tell him is happening and takes time to explain exactly wh... at is going on with my eyes. His is genuinely concerned about my vision and overall health.
- May. 16, 2023
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- Mar. 22, 2023
The entire team at Gateway Eye Associates is great, and my eyes and vision benefit from their expert... ise. Likewise, the experience at Gateway is enjoyable, because the team is personable.
- Jan. 27, 2023
Best eye practice in the city! Not only is Dr. Dang an amazing and thorough practitioner, but she’... s funny and relatable!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Overall really great people who take a lot of interest in servicing those who need eye care. They ta... ke the time to explain everything to you and do what they can to make sure you get everything you need! They took me under their wing as a student to see if I would be interested in eye care, and although I wasn’t the right fit, I still felt like it while I was there!
- Sep. 14, 2022
Dr. Clemente is super nice! Very thorough in his work and not pushy at all, as some doctors can be. ... All the staff are polite as well.
- Aug. 30, 2022
Great staff, professional and very helpful.
- Jun. 30, 2022
Dr. Clement really put me at ease about my floaters. He was very thorough and the office staff was v... ery kind . Thank you Dr. Clement!

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Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Downtown

Our optometry practice in Downtown

Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

(412) 471-9838

Senior woman