Eye Associates Northwest — Cataract Surgery
Clearer Vision
Starts HERE.
Cataract surgery removes the eye's clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), using state-of-the-art technology tailored to each patient.
- Laser-assisted option using the Alcon LenSx system
- Toric, multifocal, and toric multifocal lens implants available
- Performed by surgeons across our Ballard, Kirkland, and other Seattle-area locations
Is This Right for You?
Am I a Candidate for Cataract Surgery?
Cataracts develop gradually. Here are common signs it may be time for an evaluation.
Other common cataract symptoms: Watch for difficulty seeing the TV clearly, foggy or filmy vision, trouble discerning colors, and double vision in one eye. Cataracts typically develop slowly, so many people mistake early symptoms for normal aging.
The Procedure
What Is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens that can cause blurry vision, glare, reduced contrast sensitivity, and difficulty with everyday activities. Cataracts most commonly develop with age, though factors such as diabetes, eye injury, or certain medications can contribute. During cataract surgery, the surgeon removes the clouded natural lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL), using microsurgical technique tailored to each patient. Laser-assisted surgery uses a femtosecond laser to make more precise corneal incisions and can help correct astigmatism at the same time.
Outpatient
No hospital stay required; you go home the same day
Laser-Assisted
Precise incisions available via the Alcon LenSx laser platform
Multiple Lens Options
From monofocal to toric multifocal implants
Fast Recovery
Many patients notice improved vision within the first day or two
Patient Reviews
Lens Options
Choosing the Right Lens Implant
Standard cataract surgery with a monofocal lens restores clear vision at a single distance. Premium lens options can also correct astigmatism and expand your range of clear vision.
Monofocal Lens
Corrects vision at one fixed distance
- Corrects vision at a single distance, typically distance
- Does not correct astigmatism
- Glasses are typically still needed for reading
- Well-established, decades of clinical use
Standard Option
Toric / Multifocal Lens
Astigmatism correction and multiple focal ranges
- Toric lenses correct astigmatism at a fixed distance
- Multifocal lenses correct near, intermediate, and distance vision
- Toric multifocal combines both benefits
- Candidacy depends on eye measurements taken before surgery
Premium Options
Your surgeon will walk through your options at your preoperative appointment based on your eyes and your goals.
Step by Step
Your Cataract Surgery Journey
From your first appointment to clear vision, here's what to expect.
1
Consultation
- Comprehensive eye exam and lens measurements
- Review of lens options and associated costs
- Medical history review
2
Surgery Day
- Numbing and dilating drops administered
- Laser-assisted or traditional technique used, per your plan
- Outpatient procedure with a brief recovery period before going home
3
Early Recovery
- Prescription eye drops used as directed
- Avoiding strenuous activity, swimming, and eye rubbing
- Follow-up visit within the first day or two
4
Long-Term Results
- Vision typically stabilizes over several weeks
- Second eye scheduled if both eyes need surgery
- Annual exams to monitor eye health
What to Expect
Expected Cataract Surgery Outcomes & Recovery
Cataract surgery has one of the highest satisfaction rates of any elective procedure, and most patients recover quickly.
What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days
- Mild blurriness or light sensitivity in the first day or two
- Prescription eye drops used for several weeks as directed
- Follow-up appointments to monitor healing
- A scratchy or gritty sensation that fades within a few days
- Avoid rubbing the eye or submerging it in water for about two weeks
- Colors may appear more vivid, which is normal and expected
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures, though as with any surgery there are risks your surgeon will review with you.
Safety Profile
- Performed as a routine outpatient procedure with a strong safety record
- Uses numbing eye drops, so general anesthesia is not typically required
- Millions of cataract procedures are performed each year in the U.S.
Possible Side Effects
- Temporary scratchy or gritty sensation for a day or two
- Mild swelling or redness during early healing
- Rare cases of posterior capsule opacification months or years later, treated quickly with an in-office YAG laser procedure
How We Minimize Risk
Precise Surgical Technique
Laser-assisted incisions and modern microsurgical technique are used to reduce complication risk.
Experienced Surgeons
Our surgeons perform cataract procedures regularly across multiple lens implant types.
Thorough Pre-Operative Planning
Detailed measurements and medical history review help identify and reduce individual risk factors before surgery.
Why Eye Associates Northwest
What Sets Our Cataract Program Apart
Here's what makes cataract care at Eye Associates Northwest different.
Laser-Assisted Technology
The Alcon LenSx system allows more precise incisions and can help correct astigmatism during surgery.
Full Range of Lens Options
From monofocal to toric multifocal lenses, we offer a range of implants matched to your visual goals.
Continuity of Care
You meet with the surgeon who performs your procedure and follows your recovery.
Our Team
Meet Our Cataract Surgeons
Board-certified ophthalmologists experienced in cataract and lens implant surgery.
Find Us
Cataract Surgery in Seattle & the Puget Sound
Cataract consultations and surgery are available at our Seattle-area locations.
Coverage & Financing
Cost & Insurance
Cataract surgery is one of the most accessible surgical procedures available, and standard treatment is typically covered by insurance.
Medicare & Insurance Coverage
Standard cataract surgery with a monofocal lens is covered by Medicare Part B and most major medical insurance plans when medically necessary.
- The surgical procedure itself
- Standard monofocal intraocular lens
- Pre- and post-operative visits
- Billed to Medicare or your medical insurance when medically necessary
This typically includes the surgical procedure, a standard monofocal lens, and pre- and post-operative care.
Premium Lens Upgrades
If you choose a toric, multifocal, or toric multifocal lens, the difference in lens cost is typically an out-of-pocket upgrade rather than a medical requirement.
- Pricing discussed at your consultation, no surprises
- Personal choice based on your visual goals, not a medical necessity
- Cash, check, and major credit cards accepted
- 15% prompt-pay discount for qualifying self-pay patients
Your surgeon will discuss specific pricing for premium lens options at your consultation.
Insurance & Payment Made Simple. We bill most major medical and vision insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients without insurance coverage receive a 15% discount when paying in full the same day. Our billing team can answer questions about your specific coverage before your visit.
locationsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions we hear most often from patients considering cataract surgery.
How long does cataract surgery take?
The procedure itself typically takes well under an hour per eye. Surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure, so you are not admitted to a hospital.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. Numbing eye drops and medication keep the procedure painless. Some patients notice mild pressure or a scratchy sensation for a day or two afterward, which is normal and temporary.
What is the recovery time?
Many patients notice improved vision within the first day or two, with continued improvement over the following weeks as the eye heals.
Will I still need glasses after surgery?
It depends on the lens you choose. A standard monofocal lens typically still requires reading glasses, while premium multifocal lenses are designed to reduce glasses dependence at more distances.
Does Medicare cover cataract surgery?
Yes, both Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage cover medically necessary cataract surgery with a standard monofocal lens; premium lens upgrades are generally an out-of-pocket cost.
Ready When You Are
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.