Cataracts
At The Eye Institute of Utah in Salt Lake City, we offer advanced cataract diagnosis and treatment to help you regain clear, confident vision. Cataracts are one of the most common age-related eye conditions, and while they often develop slowly, they can eventually interfere with your daily life. Our experienced eye surgeons provide both standard and custom cataract surgery using the latest technology—including premium intraocular lenses (IOLs) and real-time surgical tools like ORA with VerifEye™—to personalize your care and improve your outcomes. Whether you’re just starting to notice changes in your vision or have been told it’s time for surgery, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.
Cataract Surgery: Key Summary (TL;DR)
Cataract surgery replaces the eye’s cloudy natural lens with a clear artificial lens to restore vision. Advanced options like custom IOLs can reduce dependence on glasses. The procedure is quick, safe, and highly effective, with most people returning to normal activities within a day or two after surgery.
- What are Cataracts?
- Cataract Symptoms
- What Causes Cataracts?
- When to Know It’s Time for Cataract Surgery
- Expert Cataract Treatment in Salt Lake City
- How Cataract Surgery Works
- Standard Cataract Surgery
- Custom Cataract Surgery
- IOL Options
- Cataract Surgery Technology
- Why Choose The Eye Institute of Utah for Cataract Surgery?
- Preparing for Cataract Surgery
- The Cataract Surgery Procedure
- Cataract Surgery Recovery
- FAQs About Cataract Surgery
What are Cataracts?
There is a clear lens in your eye, behind your iris, that focuses light to the retina at the back of the eye, which in turn transmits images to the optic nerve. Vision is crisp and clear when each of these components is working properly. A cataract occurs when the lens of the eye hardens and becomes cloudy. This opacity of the lens causes vision problems such as blurry vision and changes in night vision or how you see colors.
The development of cataracts is progressive, with mild symptoms at first, and can advance slowly or quickly to eventually cause significant clouding of vision. If left untreated, mild cloudiness in vision can eventually develop into vision loss.
Types of Cataracts
Most cataracts are age-related; congenital cataracts, in which a baby is born with a cataract, are very rare. Eye doctors typically identify three different types of cataracts based on where the clouding of the lens occurs:
- A nuclear cataract has developed in the middle of the lens
- A cortical cataract has developed around the edge of the lens
- A subcapsular cataract has developed at the back of the lens
Normal Lens
Lens Affected by Cataracts
Cataract Symptoms
Symptoms may vary among individual patients and are often mild or unnoticed in the early stages of a cataract. As cataract formation progresses, symptoms can begin interfering with daily activities.
Blurry or double vision
Trouble seeing/driving at night
Light sensitivity
Seeing halos or glare
Colors may appear dull
Frequent changes to prescriptions for eyeglasses and/or contact lenses
What Causes Cataracts?
Cataracts are part of the natural aging process; they typically begin developing around the age of 55, although their onset varies.
Trusted Source
Cataracts
National Eye Institute
Go to Source
The National Eye Institute reports
that more than half of all Americans will require cataract treatment by the time they reach 80 years old.1 While cataracts can affect anyone, there are some risk factors that may increase your risk of cataracts.
SEE What You’ve Been Missing
Contact Us Today
Cataract Risk Factors
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Smoking
- History of eye injuries
- Family history of cataracts or other eye diseases
- Frequent exposure to sunlight or UV light
- Regular use of certain medication such as
Trusted Source
Cataracts
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Go to Source
oral steroids
2
1
When to Know It’s Time for Cataract Surgery
In the early stages of the development of cataracts, many patients are able to compensate for any visual deterioration by changing their glasses or contacts prescription. This, however, is not a cure for cataracts, which is a progressive condition. Over time, clouding of the lens due to age-related cataracts can impact a patient’s ability to perform everyday tasks safely, affecting their ability to drive, read, and engage in other normal tasks.
The only true cure for cataracts is cataract surgery, which involves cataract removal and replacing the cloudy lens. Many people delay having cataract surgery until their vision changes to the point of not being able to drive. If your vision is 20/40 or worse, or if you feel that clouding of your vision is prohibiting your ability to perform normal daily activities, you may be ready to have your cataracts removed. Consult with an eye care specialist you trust for more information.
How Cataract Surgery Works
During cataract surgery, the lens that has been clouded by cataracts is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). This artificial lens implant not only restores clear vision after cataracts, but may also correct common refractive errors and help patients see more clearly without eyeglasses or contact lenses after cataract surgery.
Cataract surgery has a high rate of success, a very low complication rate, and is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures in the
Trusted Source
Cataract Surgery
Mayo Clinic
Go to Source
United States.
3
Standard Cataract Surgery
Standard cataract surgery has advanced dramatically over the past few decades. In most cases the cataract is extracted through a tiny incision and a single focus intraocular lens (IOL) is inserted to replace the cloudy natural lens. Standard (monofocal) IOLs used by our eye doctors at The Eye Institute of Utah have ultraviolet protection built into the lenses to continue protecting your retina after surgery.
After standard cataract surgery, your vision will be much clearer, but you may still need to wear glasses for reading and some other activities, especially if you have astigmatism. Standard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most medical insurances, but it is important to do your research to determine what percentage your insurance will cover, and how much remaining expenses you will owe out-of-pocket.
Custom Cataract Surgery
While standard cataract surgery is a wonderfully successful procedure, there are now options for patients wishing to have reduced dependence on glasses and contact lenses. For most cataract patients, life without eyeglasses is something they either experienced when they were very young or they just dreamed about for most of their lives. Custom Cataract Surgery surpasses standard cataract surgery by including advanced testing and technology, and providing the added benefit of using advanced technology IOLs to enhance vision and provide you with decreased dependence on glasses. Custom Cataract Surgery primarily addresses presbyopia and astigmatism. These are the vision issues, or refractive errors, that remain even after standard cataract surgery.
Custom Cataract Surgery is also a great option for those who have had previous LASIK, PRK, or RK surgery. These procedures alter the shape of the cornea, which can make it more challenging to calculate the ideal intraocular lens (IOL) for cataract surgery. With Custom Cataract Surgery, advanced technology like ORA™ with VerifEye™ provides real-time, in-surgery measurements that help refine IOL selection—an important advantage for patients with a history of refractive surgery who want the most accurate and personalized visual outcome.
At The Eye Institute of Utah, all of our Custom Cataract Surgery packages include the use of advanced technology, including ORA™ (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) with VerifEye™, the most up-to-date technology available for providing real-time analysis of the eye during surgery. This helps us improve the accuracy of IOL measurement and selection for optimal vision correction.
IOL Options
At The Eye Institute of Utah, we offer a number of advanced IOL options to help our patients achieve their clearest vision possible after cataract surgery. Some patients enjoy vision that is clearer than it was before they even developed cataracts. Some of the advanced IOLs we offer include:
- Astigmatism-Correcting IOLs, which help correct astigmatism and distance vision.
- Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs, which can correct the age-related loss of near vision and improve near, intermediate and distance vision. These include multifocal IOLs, trifocal IOLs, and extended depth of focus IOLs.
Cataract Surgery Technology
ORA™ with VerifEye™
All human eyes have the same basic anatomical structure, but each person’s eye is unique in terms of size, depth, curvature of the cornea and other important features. We tailor your cataract treatment to account for these differences, as well as factors such as previous refractive surgery like LASIK. Pre-surgical diagnostic tests and measurements are very important in helping you achieve the best vision possible.
When it comes to selecting the right IOL for you, there are several tests and measurements our team will use. The most advanced of these is the ORA System with VerifEye+ Technology. During cataract surgery, the ORA (Optiwave Refractive Analysis) intraoperative aberrometry system provides your surgeon with real-time analysis of your eye. If you have had prior refractive surgery, if you would like to treat astigmatism, or if you have chosen a multifocal IOL, this technology can improve precision and accuracy in order to reduce or eliminate your need for glasses. Patients who elect to have procedures performed with ORA with VerifEye™ receive a limited-time warranty.
Why Choose The Eye Institute of Utah For Cataract Treatment?
EXPERIENCE Our surgeons have performed over 80,000 cataract procedures.
KNOWLEDGE Our experienced surgeons have received specialty training in cataract treatment and advanced surgical techniques.
TECHNOLOGY We were among the first to offer Custom Laser Cataract Surgery in the U.S., and we continue involvement in numerous clinical trials that bring advanced technologies to our patients first.
PERSONALIZATION We are proud to serve our community and we take the time to explain all options and help the patient decide what’s best for them. No pressure!
Preparing for Cataract Surgery
Once you have been diagnosed with cataracts by one of our specialists, there is not much you’ll need to do in preparation for cataract surgery. You won’t be permitted to drive yourself home after cataract surgery, so you will need to arrange for transportation to and from the procedure.
The Cataract Surgery Procedure
Small incision cataract surgery is performed on each eye on separate days, often within a week or two of each other. While the procedure itself only takes 10-20 minutes, you should plan on being at the surgical facility for up to 3 hours for admission, a physical exam, anesthesia and for time to dilate your eyes.
Before the eye surgery begins, your eye will be numbed with anesthetic eye drops. You will recline comfortably during the procedure, and should feel no pain. A device will be used to gently hold your eye open and prevent you from blinking.
To begin cataract surgery, the ophthalmologist will make a tiny incision in the surface of your eye. The clouded natural lens of your eye will be broken apart using ultrasound waves in a process called phacoemulsification, removed, and replaced with a new lens. The incision is so small that no sutures will be required to close it.
Following your procedure, you will have a protective eye shield fitted over your eye and will recover briefly at our facility before being released to go home after a final check by your eye surgeon.
Cataract Surgery Recovery
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure and does not require an overnight hospital stay. Cataract surgery patients generally experience very little downtime, and vision is typically noticeably improved by the next day and continues to improve for several weeks. The majority of patients are back to their regular activities and even driving within 24 to 48 hours after surgery. Patients will need to take a regimen of prescription drops to help prevent infection and regulate healing for several weeks after surgery, and your eye doctor will review post-operative care instructions with you.
FAQs About Cataract Surgery
Can I prevent cataracts?
Age-related cataracts can happen to anyone and you cannot prevent them. However, there are a few things you can do to care for your eye health that may slow the progression of cataracts
- Wear sunglasses that shield ultraviolet light whenever you are outside
- Eat a diet rich in vitamins and antioxidants
- Have
Trusted Source
Cataracts
Mayo Clinic
Go to Source
annual eye exams
4
Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?
Medicare and most major insurance companies will cover standard cataract surgery, but they do not cover advanced technology or the cost of Custom Cataract Surgery with premium IOLs. While you are in our office for your cataract examination, our surgical coordinators will assist with reviewing your insurance coverage, out of pocket expenses, and review financing options if you are interested in choosing a Custom Cataract Surgery package.
Is cataract surgery painful?
You should not experience any pain during your cataract surgery experience. Your eyes will be numbed with anesthetic drops before the procedure, so you should feel no more than a sensation of scratchiness or slight pressure during the surgery.
What are the potential risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is a very common procedure that is generally considered to be safe. However, there are some risks associated with every surgical procedure. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, rare cataract surgery risks may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Swelling of the eye or retina
- Retinal detachment
- Blurred vision
- Seeing dark shadows, halos, or glare
- Eye injury
-
Trusted Source
Cataract Surgery
American Academy of Ophthalmology
Go to Source
Loss of vision
5
Who is a candidate for cataract surgery?
The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for cataract surgery is to undergo a thorough eye exam with a specialist at The Eye Institute of Utah. In general, candidates for cataract surgery:
- Experience vision problems, even after frequent changes to prescriptions for eyeglasses and contacts
- Notice a decline in night driving or increased glare with night vision
- Have blurry vision
- Notice that colors appear dulled
- Struggle to see clearly when performing everyday tasks
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
It depends on the type of lens you choose. Monofocal IOLs, which are typically covered by insurance, are set to focus at one distance—usually for clear distance vision—so you may still need reading glasses for up-close tasks. If you select a type of IOL that is multifocal or extended depth of focus (EDOF), you may reduce or even eliminate your need for glasses, as these lenses are designed to improve vision at multiple distances. Your surgeon will help you decide on the best IOL for your lifestyle and visual go
Can cataracts come back after surgery?
No, cataracts do not grow back once the clouded lens has been removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). That said, some patients may notice cloudy vision months or years after surgery. While often called a “secondary cataract,” this is actually a common condition known as posterior capsular opacification (PCO). It can be corrected quickly and comfortably with an in-office laser procedure called YAG laser capsulotomy.
Contact The Eye Institute of Utah
At The Eye Institute of Utah in Salt Lake City, your eye health is our highest priority. If you have been experiencing symptoms of cataracts such as blurry vision or difficulty driving at night, please contact us to schedule a consultation with an eye care specialist on our team.
Sources
1 National Eye Institute. Cataracts. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/eye-conditions-and-diseases/cataracts#. Accessed June 24, 2025.
2 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataracts. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-are-cataracts#symptoms Accessed June 24, 2025.
3 Mayo Clinic. Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/about/pac-20384765. Accessed JJune 24, 2025.
4 Mayo Clinic. Cataracts. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353790. Accessed June 24, 2025.
5 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery?. Accessed June 24, 2025.
Page Updated:
The Eye Institute of Utah Doctors have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.