What is a Cataract

Common Symptoms of Cataracts

• Dimming of Vision
• Blurring of Vision
• Halos Around Lights
• Double Vision

Cataracts can start with a very gradual decrease in your ability to see the brilliance and vibrancy of colors, or they can cause your vision to blur. If cataracts are left untreated, they will continue to progress and make everyday activities, such as driving or reading, more and more difficult.

Cataract Symptom Checker

Cloudy or blurry vision

Trouble seeing at night

Light and glare sensitivity

Seeing "halos" around lights

Fading or yellowing of colors

Double Vision

Early detection of cataracts by your local optometrist or our surgeons can detect the presence, and severity, of cataracts. The “film” that patients may experience in their vision with cataracts is not treatable with eye drops, and cataract removal is the only means available to restore vision.

Do I need cataract Surgery?

The decision to have cataract surgery at Missouri Eye Institute starts with a personalized evaluation by one of our expertly-trained doctors. We will examine each eye thoroughly to determine if cataracts are the primary cause of blurry vision. There are many conditions of the human body that can affect your eyesight, but if it is determined that cataracts are causing a loss of vision, your doctor will discuss with you the various treatment options available.

All cataract surgeries require removal of the cataract by use of phacoemulsification and/or femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery. This painless phacoemulsification process uses gentle ultrasound waves to remove the hardened cataract. The painless femtosecond laser can also be used to soften cataracts. Removing the cataract requires that an artificial lens be placed in the eye. This intraocular lens (IOL), based upon previous calculations and measurements taken at your initial evaluation, will help to correct your vision at distance, near, or both. The main benefit of cataract surgery is to replace the clouded cataract lens with a clear implant, and this in turn improves your potential vision. Once you have decided to pursue cataract surgery, you will need to make additional decisions about which type of intraocular implant you would like. 

Missouri Eye Institute offers many different types of IOL implants to choose from, and these lenses can incorporate prescriptions for nearsightedness, farsightedness, astigmatism, and presbyopia (loss of near vision with age). The goal of refractive cataract surgery is to reduce your dependency upon eyeglasses. We offer a customizable approach to cataract surgery to provide the clearest, most detailed vision possible that is tailored to your individual visual needs and lifestyle.

Achieving your best possible outcome after cataract surgery and understanding your goals and expectations is a partnership with your doctor. This requires planning that starts at your first consultation with Missouri Eye Institute. Your doctor will discuss with you all available lens options for which you could be a candidate, but before your evaluation think about what your priorities are for your vision:

• Is it more important to see clearly at distance, near, in between, or at multiple distances?
• Are you willing to accept some mild glare in order to be able to see better at multiple distances?
• Are you willing to make adjustments to your reading ranges or other distances in order to be able to see better without eyeglasses?
• Are you willing to wear eyeglasses part or all of the time after surgery?
• What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy?
• Do you adapt well to change?

Where do I have my cataract surgery?

Missouri Eye Institute performs cataract surgery at surgical centers in Springfield, Branson, and Joplin, and provides cataract surgeries at hospitals in Springfield, Bolivar, and Monett to make your care as convenient as possible. We can also coordinate your care after cataract surgery with your local optometrist in order to make the post-operative care convenient for you.

Please take a few moments to learn about the various lens implant options in the web pages listed below and the differences between Basic Cataract Surgery and Refractive Cataract Surgery.