Cataract surgery, explained in four steps
More than 65,000 surgeries performed by Lumen surgeons since 1985, at our own outpatient surgery center in Bayside.
In short: a cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. Surgery replaces it with a clear artificial lens in about 15 minutes, and you go home the same day. Medicare covers it when your vision meets its criteria. The lens you choose decides how much you will rely on glasses afterward.
The lens sits just behind the colored iris and fine-tunes your focus. It is made mostly of water and protein. With age, the proteins clump and the lens turns cloudy and yellowish, so light scatters instead of focusing sharply on the retina. That is why a cataract causes blur, glare and faded colors. Surgery removes the cloudy lens and puts a clear artificial lens, called an intraocular lens (IOL), in the same spot.
Explore the eyeCould it be a cataract?
Six questions about how your eyes have felt over the past few months.
See the difference surgery makes
Left: a drive home with a cataract. Right: the same view after surgery with the lens you pick.
Illustration only. Real results depend on your eyes, and your surgeon recommends the lens.
Which lens fits how you live?
Move the sliders. Your surgeon makes the final call after measuring your eyes.
The lenses we offer
| Lens | Far | Arm’s length | Close | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | Sharp | Soft | Readers | Covered by Medicare when you qualify |
| HD lens | Sharp | A little better | Readers | Distance without glasses, a bit more mid-range |
| Toric | Sharp | Soft | Readers | Corrects astigmatism |
| Vivity | Sharp | Sharp | Everyday reading | Extended depth of focus, designed for low night glare |
What surgery day looks like
At our outpatient surgery center, 200 Harbor Blvd., Bayside.
Numbing drops
Your eye is numbed with drops, and other drops widen your pupil so your surgeon can reach the lens behind it. You stay awake and comfortable, and most people feel no pain.
A tiny opening
Your surgeon makes a tiny opening, about 2 to 3 millimeters wide, where the clear cornea meets the white of your eye. It is made with a fine blade or a laser.
Opening the lens capsule
Your natural lens sits inside a thin, clear bag called the capsule. A small, round opening is made in the front of it, so the cloudy lens can come out and the bag stays in place to hold your new one.
Removing the cloudy lens
A thin probe uses gentle ultrasound to break the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and remove them through the same opening. This usually takes just a few minutes.
Placing your new lens
Your new lens is folded, slipped in through the same tiny opening, and unfolds inside the capsule, right where your natural lens used to be. It stays there for life.
Sealing and going home
The opening usually seals on its own, without stitches. With a clear lens in place, light focuses on the retina again. Surgery takes about 15 minutes, and you go home the same day.
Your day, start to finish
Measuring your eye
We measure your eye to set the lens power and help you choose a lens. You may get drops to start before surgery, and we will tell you if any medicines need to pause.
Numbing and relaxing
Your eye is numbed with drops or an injection, and you can have medicine to help you relax. You stay awake.
The new lens
Tiny openings at the edge of the cornea let your surgeon remove the cloudy lens and place your new one. They usually seal without stitches.
Healing
Use your drops exactly as prescribed, keep soap and water out of the eye, do not rub it, and wear the shield to sleep. No driving or exercise until your doctor says so.
What it costs
Medicare covers cataract surgery with a standard lens when your vision meets its criteria, and most private plans do too. HD, Toric and Vivity lenses add an out-of-pocket cost, which we give you in writing before you decide. Ask us about payment plans.
Surgery at our own center
Your consultation, surgery and follow-up visits all stay with one practice. Surgery happens at our outpatient center on Harbor Blvd., and you go home the same day.
Surgeons who teach surgeons
Dr. James Lumen directed the the state Osteopathic Educational Institute ophthalmology residency from 2012 to 2019 and still teaches residents. Dr. Elena Lumen trains residents in the HCA West the state program.
Every specialist in one practice
Optometrists for everyday eye care, and ophthalmologists for cataract, glaucoma, cornea and eyelid surgery. If we find something at your exam, the specialist is already here.
Already told you need cataract surgery?
Get a second opinion before you decide. Bring your records and we will walk through your options.
Helping a parent through cataract surgery?
What to watch for, how to book for them, and how to help on surgery day and after.
Cataract questions
Does cataract surgery hurt?
Most people feel little or nothing. Your eye is numbed with drops or an injection, and you can have medicine to help you relax. You stay awake, and the surgery itself takes about 15 minutes.
When is the right time for surgery?
When a cataract makes everyday things harder, such as driving at night, reading or seeing colors clearly. Your surgeon will tell you whether your vision meets Medicare or your plan’s criteria.
Will I need glasses afterward?
It depends on the lens you choose. With a standard or HD lens, most people need readers for close work. Vivity is designed to reduce your need for glasses at distance, computer range and everyday reading, though you may still want readers for very small print.
Can a cataract come back?
No, but months or years later the thin capsule behind your new lens can become cloudy. A quick, painless in-office laser treatment called a posterior capsulotomy clears it.
How soon can I drive?
Someone must drive you home on surgery day. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to drive again, usually after your first follow-up visit.
What patients say
After surgery performed by Dr. Elena Lumen my sight had been restored to 20/30.Gary R., Google review
The surgery itself is only about 15 minutes long & absolutely painless.Kathy D., Yelp review
My surgery was very successful and I could not be happier.Robert S., Facebook review
Book a cataract evaluation
Your visit includes the measurements for surgery and time with your surgeon to choose a lens.