587-353-5061
Email Us
Cataracts are painless, develop within the lenses of your eyes, and are usually detected during routine eye exams. As you age, lenses naturally harden and may also turn cloudy. A cloudy lens blocks light from the retina and interferes with vision; the effect is similar to looking through a dirty car windshield. Cataracts may form in one or both eyes, at the same time or at different times, they can also be present at birth or occur at any age as the result of an injury to the eye. Cataracts can also be caused by diseases such as Diabetes, long-term use of certain medications, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, a diet low in antioxidants, or excessive exposure to the sun.
Fortunately, Cataracts can be removed and your vision can be restored. Surgery is usually recommended and removes the cloudy lens to replace it with an artificial one.
Symptoms
- blurred vision that cannot be corrected with a change in your glasses prescription,
- ghost images or double vision in one or both eyes,
- glare from sunlight and artificial light, including oncoming headlights when driving at night,
- colours appear faded and less vibrant.
When To See An Optometrist In Calgary?
Your eye health is our main priority. Our Optometrists recommend annual eye examinations for everyone including those with diabetes, high blood pressure, and other medical conditions that can impact vision and eye health. Many health conditions including cataracts can be detected during a routine eye exam. A comprehensive eye exam includes a health check of your natural lens inside of the eye. A cataract occurs when this lens becomes more yellow and opaque, thus allowing less light into the eye and reducing visual acuity. We highly advise booking an appointment with one of our eye doctors for any concerns with your vision.
Treatment
If glasses or contact lenses are ineffective in correcting your vision, we will refer you to an Ophthalmologist for evaluation of the Cataract. If surgery is required, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens and replace it with a clear plastic intraocular lens (IOL).
Step By Step Process Of Cataract Treatment In Eyedeology
- If a patient is suspected to have cataracts, they are scheduled for a dilated fundus exam with one of our optometrists.
- During dilated exams, dilation eye drops are instilled into the patient’s eyes to enlarge the pupils (opening of the eye), to allow our doctors to see inside the eye better.
- Our optometrists will then determine the nature and the extent of the cataract.
- If the vision problems due to the cataract(s) are determined to be ineffectively corrected by glasses or contact lenses, patients are referred to an ophthalmologist for further evaluation.
- If needed, surgery may be done to replace the clouded lenses with a clear intraocular lens implant.
Post-Cataract Care For Patients By Eyedeology
Our optometrists will collaborate with your surgeon (ophthalmologist) before and after your cataract surgery and arrange follow-up appointments to assist you in your recovery. Prior to cataract surgery, our optometrists may prescribe eye drops or artificial tears to improve dry eyes and enhance post-surgical outcomes. Cataract surgeries are typically performed one eye at a time if both eyes are involved. You will be scheduled to see your surgeon again one day after the surgery/surgeries. After that, you will be referred to Eyedeology to see one of our optometrists for a follow-up appointment approximately 6-8 weeks after your last surgery to ensure that your eyes are healing properly and to determine what the residual prescription is post-surgery.
Coverage
As Optometrists, we can monitor patients and recommend preventative measures, follow up with patients with Cataracts, and co-manage care with Ophthalmologists when required. Alberta Health Care covers these visits.
Insurance Provider’s Eyedeology Is Associated With
We are associated with major insurance providers. Alberta Health Care covers basic cataract surgeries, as well as any post-operative care and medically necessary appointments with our optometrists. Additional costs may be applied for enhanced lens implants that include multifocal or astigmatic corrections.
We are associated with major insurance providers like
- Sunlife
- Canadalife
- Desjardin
- Industrial Alliance
- Manulife
- Greenshield
- Blue Cross
- Equitable Life
- Chambers
- Claims Secure
- Others
You will need to contact our Ophthalmology Clinic in Downtown Calgary directly to determine whether we are able to bill your insurance for enhanced lens implants.
Cataract Aftercare Products Available In Our Online Store
Post-surgical medicated eye drops will be prescribed by the surgeon. Dry eye therapy and preservative-free artificial tears may be recommended by your optometrist to improve your comfort and healing during the recovery process. Visit our online store: https://eyedeology.sightlyapps.com/ to know more. Prior to using artificial tears, we advise you to talk to an optometrist to ensure that you are using the eye drops best suited for your eyes.
How to schedule appointments with Eyedeology
Routine Eye Exams and follow-up appointments can be scheduled by calling us at 587.353.5061.
You can also directly book an appointment at https://www.eyedeology.ca/book-appointment/
or email us at info@eyedeology.ca
Recommendations
Cataracts cause a reduction in vision and if left untreated can lead to a loss of vision. Coming in for regular eye exams is the single most important thing you can do to prevent it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where in Calgary can I get treated for Cataract?
Visit Eyedeology in Downtown Calgary to get a detailed consultation. Our Optometrists will determine if a cataract is causing reduced vision in your eye. If this is the case, we will be happy to refer you to an Ophthalmologist for a consultation. Our Calgary Optometrists will co-manage your care post-surgery.
What is the recovery time post cataract treatment?
The recovery time post-cataract surgery can take up to 4-6 weeks depending on the nature and size of the cataract. Visit our Cataract Management Page to know more and book an appointment with us for consultation
Does Alberta Health Care pay for Cataract treatment?
Calgary Cataract surgery is covered by Alberta Health Care. There are additional costs for enhanced lens implants such as a multifocal lens or an astigmatism toric lens. These will be reviewed with you at your surgical consultation.
Visit our Vision Insurance and Coverage page to know more
How soon should cataracts be treated or removed?
If your cataract is causing reduced vision that is affecting your quality of life, it is time to consider Cataract surgery in Calgary. If left untreated, cataracts can lead to blindness. Our Optometrists will help evaluate the stage of your cataract and vision to help determine if your cataract is ready for removal.
Are Cataracts treatments permanent?
During cataract surgery, your surgeon will replace the natural lens in your eye with an artificial lens that is durable to last a lifetime. The day surgery takes 30-45 minutes under local anesthetic and you should be able to go home the same day. Follow-up visits will be required and we will be happy to help with co-managing your care with your surgeon.
Visit our Cataract Management Page to know more
What are the treatment options for cataract?
If your cataract is in its early stage, our Calgary Optometrists will recommend monitoring your vision and cataract and will have you continue wearing your glasses, contact lenses and sunglasses. If your cataract is causing reduced vision, we will recommend having a cataract surgery consultation with a local Ophthalmologist. We will co-manage your post-surgical care with your Ophthalmologist.
587-353-5061
