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Patient Education · Cataracts

Cataract Surgery:
Your Path to clear vision.

What a cataract is, will surgery help you, and how to think through your lens options before your consultation.

The Basics

What is a cataract?

A cataract is another word for clouding of the natural lens in your eye, that occurs with age. When a cataract develops, the lens has become larger and browner, and the light aimed at the retina scatters — causing vision to deteriorate.

It happens gradually, in one or both eyes, and is a normal part of aging. Cataracts can develop quicker from diabetes, use of certain medications, and from a previous eye injury or surgery. The good news: it is reversible and can be cured.
External photo of a healthy eye. Illustration of a clear, healthy natural lens.

Natural Lens

Clear & healthy

Light passes through cleanly and focuses to a single sharp point.

External photo of an eye with a cataract, appearing slightly clouded. Illustration of a cloudy, cataract-affected lens.

Cataract Lens

Clouded & Dims Vision

Light scatters on its way to the retina, so vision blurs and dims.

Common signs that cataracts are affecting your vision

Blurry vision despite glasses

Poor vision in dim lights or nighttime

Glare from sunlight or bright lights, especially at nighttime

Faded colors

Dr. Bhargava performing cataract surgery in the operating room.
The Procedure

Why cataract surgery?

The procedure is quick, safe, and uses numerous state-of-the-art technology for planning. We remove your cloudy lens and replace it with a personalized, permanent Intraocular Lens (IOL) chosen by you.

Day of Surgery

What to expect during cataract surgery

Your surgery day at a glance

15–30 Minutes

The procedure itself is quick — most cases are done start to finish within half an hour.

Comfortable, Not Painful

You'll lie flat and receive MAC sedation — a light sedation that keeps you relaxed while your eye is numbed.

Home the Same Day

This is outpatient surgery, so you'll go home the same day rather than staying overnight.

Medications as Usual

If you're on blood thinners, there's usually no need to stop them — you can typically continue your regular medications as prescribed.

Also have glaucoma?

This can be a convenient time to treat both conditions in one visit. As a glaucoma specialist, Dr. Bhargava can often perform a MIGS (Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery) procedure during the same surgery, adding only about 5 minutes to your time in the OR. MIGS can help lower your eye pressure and, for many patients, reduce the number of glaucoma drops needed afterward.

The basics of cataract surgery

1. Numbing Drops

Anesthetic eye drops and light sedation keep you comfortable and relaxed throughout.

2. Removing the Cataract

A tiny, self-sealing incision is made. An ultrasonic probe breaks the cloudy lens in half and gently suctions each piece away.

3. Placing Your New Lens

Your IOL — complete with fine supporting haptics — arrives rolled up, then is inserted through the same tiny incision and gently unrolls into place. No stitches needed.

4. Clear Vision Restored

Most patients notice sharper, brighter vision within a few days, continuing to improve as your eye heals.

Your Options

Selecting your intraocular lens

Four IOL types are available, each suited to a different lifestyle and set of priorities. Jump to side-by-side Comparison

1

Monofocal IOL — Standard

  • Sharp focus at one distance — usually distance vision
  • Cost-effective, with an excellent track record
Best for: patients who don't mind wearing glasses for reading.
Covered by insurance
Illustration of a monofocal intraocular lens.
2

Toric IOL

A monofocal IOL with additional astigmatism correction

  • Reduces astigmatism at the time of surgery
  • Clear distance vision for most patients; reading glasses still required
Best for: patients with astigmatism who want sharper distance vision, but are okay with reading glasses.
Corrects astigmatism
Illustration of a toric intraocular lens.
3

Extended-Depth of Focus (EDOF) & Multifocal IOL

  • Provides clear vision for distance and "arm's-length" (intermediate) tasks
  • Can correct astigmatism
  • "Mini-monovision" can improve reading without strongly affecting distance vision
  • Some patients notice mild glare, halos, or slight loss of contrast in low light (see simulation below)
  • May require reading glasses for fine print
Best for: active patients wanting to minimize use of glasses.
NOT suitable for patients with very severe eye diseases (such as severe forms of glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy).
Minimizes need for glasses
Illustration of an extended-depth-of-focus and multifocal intraocular lens with diffractive rings.
4

Light-Adjustable IOL

  • A monofocal lens that can be fine-tuned after surgery with painless light treatments
  • Can correct astigmatism
  • Highest level of customization — the only lens that lets you "test-drive" your new vision
  • A "mini-monovision" setup can set one eye for distance and the other for intermediate — and reverse it if intolerable
  • May require reading glasses for fine print
Best for: patients wanting precision and personalization, especially after previous LASIK, PRK, or RK surgery.
Most Personalized
Illustration of a light-adjustable intraocular lens.
Multifocal IOLMonofocal IOL
Simulated night driving view comparing halos and glare with a multifocal lens versus a clear view with a monofocal lens.
Seeing the Difference

Simulation comparing Multifocal and Monofocal Lens

Tradeoff

  • Multifocal lenses provide distance and near vision, with potential halos.
  • Monofocal lenses offer clear distance vision without halos, but poorer near vision.
Choosing Your Lens

How to choose the right IOL

One of the most important decisions is selecting the right IOL for your lifestyle and vision goals. Modern IOLs offer many options, and your surgeon will help you choose the lens that best fits your needs and preferences. Think about your lifestyle and vision priorities, and discuss these with your surgeon:

?

Independence

Do you want to minimize glasses for most activities?

?

Priorities

Which is more important — clearest vision while driving (distance), computer/reading (middle), or book reading (near)?

?

Night vision

How do you feel about potential glare or halos at night?

?

Medical history

Do you have astigmatism? Have you had previous LASIK, PRK, or RK surgery?

There is no “best” lens — only the best lens for you.

Quick Reference

Compare at a glance

Feature Monofocal Toric EDOF LAL
Distance vision
Corrects astigmatism –
Reading vision – –
Suits other eye conditions –
Relative cost – $ $$ $$$

✓ generally included · – not applicable or not typically needed · $ relative out-of-pocket cost beyond insurance coverage

Next Steps

Ready to talk through your options?

Bring your answers to the lifestyle questions above to your consultation — they'll help guide the conversation about which lens is right for you.

Make an appointment to see Dr. Bhargava:

Get in touch →
Medical disclaimer: The educational information on this website is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Use of this website does not by itself create a physician–patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified eye care provider with any questions about your eye health.