How much does cataract surgery cost?

I can only speak to this for those of us in Ontario, Canada. 

If you have a visually significant cataract and desired, you could have cataract surgery done at no charge in Ontario.  However, most of my patients spend approximately $300-$400 per eye to have premium implants and the associated measurements.

If you elected to have an enhanced procedure or had a significant amount of astigmatism that you wanted to concurrently correct with surgery… these costs range from $1000 - $2500 extra per eye.

Speak to your surgeon about the $ details

Waiting for cataract surgery is frustrating!

The most frustrating time for folks diagnosed with cataract is ... waiting for it to get worse!  Because cataracts generally progress slowly, there is always a gap between the initial diagnosis and when a cataract requires surgery.  It is frustrating to be told that “You cataract is worse.  It is the reason for your blurry vision but it is not yet enough for cataract surgery.”  

There are a number of factors at play here.  e.g. benefit vs. risk, wait lists, payor, driving requirements, visual demands, visual acuity.

It is not uncommon for folks to wish their cataracts worse on each visit!

Post cataract surgery drops schedule?

There are typically three (3) different drops used post cataract surgery (sometimes four (4)).

These drops have different schedules, so it is a good idea to make yourself a chart.  Some surgeon’s offices will provide you with a chart that you can check off your drops as you use them.

The drops will taper down with the last one usually being used for one-month post-surgery ... but this can be sometimes extended.

Drops control inflammation, pain and infection risk.  The fourth drop that is sometimes added post-surgery is to control eye pressure.

It can become especially confusing if you have the second eye done prior to the first eye’s drops being complete.

The golden rule is to stick to you prescribed eye drop schedule!   It will steer you clear of trouble!

**  I have included for download my practice's CATARACT DROP SCHEDULE - feel free to use!

How fast does cataract surgery need to be done?

An uncomplicated cataract does not need to be urgently treated however cataracts are progressive and vision will inevitably get worse.  There is a point where the risk to remove an advanced cataract increases as higher amounts of ultrasound energy are required.

This is a conversation to have with your eye care professional.

Be careful of driver’s license requirements.  In some regions there are long waits for cataract surgery and you would not want to fall under a driving requirement while waiting.

How many appointments / visits is cataract surgery?

In this area, the number of surgeon visits is typically 3 + 2 Optometry co-management visits.  The number depends on the surgeon and co-management arrangements at other clinics (such as ours).

Surgeon visit #1 – consultation to assess cataract and ocular health / prioritize / educate on options

Surgeon visit #2 – measurements done for lens selection (typically done with technician)

Surgeon visit #3 – surgery day (some surgeons do a later-same-day follow-up)

~Surgeon visit #4 – possible next day visit to surgeon’s clinic or co-management facility

Visit #5 – possible 1 week visit to surgeon’s clinic or co-management facility

Visit #6 – 1 month follow-up and refraction (new glasses prescription)

My eyesight is getting better?!   How can I have a cataract?

Initial vision improvement with cataract is very common but counterintuitive.

Cataract development will often cause a shift in your prescription before the lens goes very cloudy.   This shift if often (but not always) towards nearsightedness.

Think about the range of all prescriptions like a number-scale with farsightedness on one side of the scale and nearsightedness on  the other side.  Zero/perfect is in the middle.  If you were quite farsighted for all of your life and your cataracts are causing a nearsighted shift… the shift cancels out some of your old prescription bringing you closer to zero/perfect.   You will see better without your glasses than perhaps you have in years!...  until of course the cataract gets denser and starts to cloud your vision.

Some eye care professionals refer to this shift as “second sight”.  Again, “second sight” occurs when the prescription shift caused by the cataract is opposite to your pre-existing Rx.

Cataracts and Sandbags?

Why are stories of sandbags exist with cataract surgery?

Many years ago, cataract surgery required a much larger incisions and had much greater risk.  Sandbags were used post surgically to keep a patient’s head immobilized for a period-of-time post-surgery.   This is a thing of the distant past but I am still asked about it!

Did I get cataracts from my parents?

If you have a close relative that developed early-onset cataract not due to diabetes, there is likely more of a heredity influence.

If you are older, it is unlikely that your cataracts have been significantly influenced by heredity.  

A cataract the you are born with is called a congenital cataract.  Most congenital cataracts are insignificant to a child’s visual system’s development and are just watched for progression.  Rarely a congenital cataract needs to be treated however, if the clouded vision could arrest/slow vision system development (amblyopia) then surgery is considered.