Cataract Surgery in Akron, Ohio

See life more clearly when you have cataract surgery at Davis Eye Center. Cataract surgery removes your affected lens and replaces it with a new one, so you can see life’s most precious moments with extreme clarity.

Dr. Charles Davis has performed more than 35,000 cataract procedures to date and all surgeries are performed at our on-site ambulatory surgery center, so you can feel confident you will receive the best care possible when you choose Davis Eye Center.

As always, we’ll recommend the best treatment for you—even if it’s with another doctor. Our goal is to make sure you have the best experience and receive the care that’s right for your eyes.

Cataract Technology

Davis Eye Center is proud to be the first practice in Northeast Ohio to offer the LenSx Laser System. Cataract procedures have never before been this accurate, or efficient.

Learn more about LensX

What are Cataracts?

Cataracts cause the natural lens of the eye to become clouded. This is a very common condition which affects more than 24.4 million Americans over age 40. In fact, nearly 50% of Americans will have at least one cataract by the time they are 75.1

Symptoms of cataracts include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Dulled colors
  • Halos
  • Difficulty reading
  • Poor night vision

Cataracts progress gradually, and many people can live with them for some time. However, once cataracts progress to the extent that they impair vision the only treatment is cataract surgery.

Without Cataracts

cataract removal can give you clear vision

With Cataracts

your vision is blurry with cataracts

Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery

At Davis Eye Center, we employ the LenSx®️ Laser, a state-of-the-art system that allows us to automate some of the most challenging aspects of cataract surgery with enhanced precision. We use this advanced femtosecond laser to correct astigmatism and to break the cataract into fragments for easier removal. Utilizing the LenSx laser allows us to provide our patients with an exceptional surgical experience with enhanced accuracy, efficiency, and fewer risks than was ever before possible.2

Customized Cataract Surgery with Advanced Intraocular Lenses

When the natural lens of the eye becomes clouded by cataracts, it needs to be removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) implant. Standard IOLs can restore vision impacted by cataracts and may also help improve distance vision.

At Davis Eye Center, we offer a number of advanced IOL options for our patients who wish to make their vision even better than it was before they developed cataracts, helping patients reduce their need for corrective eyewear after surgery. Advanced IOLs or premium IOLs allow us to customize cataract surgery to correct a range of refractive errors, including astigmatism and presbyopia.

Learn More About Advanced IOL Options

Cataract Surgery: What to Expect

Preparing for Surgery

The first step in preparing for cataract surgery is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Davis for a thorough examination and diagnosis. At this time, your procedure will be scheduled and you will be given detailed information on what to expect during the procedure and as you recover.

You may be asked to use prescription eye drops in the days leading up to your cataract surgery. You should arrive for your procedure with no lotions or makeup on your face, wearing loose, comfortable clothing to accommodate a heart monitor and blood pressure cuff. You will not be permitted to drive yourself home after cataract surgery, so please make arrangements for transportation.

The Cataract Surgery Procedure

Cataract surgery takes only about 10 minutes, but you can expect to be at our center for roughly 2 hours on the day of your procedure. Cataract surgery is performed on one eye at a time, with procedures usually performed a one or two weeks apart.

Before your cataract surgery begins, anesthetic drops will be applied to numb your eye and a mild sedative will be administered through your IV. A device will be used to gently hold your eye open during the procedure and to prevent you from blinking. You won’t need to change into a hospital gown, but you will be placed on a bed to go into the OR suite. You will be very relaxed but awake during the surgery, as Dr. Davis will need you to be able to follow directions during the procedure.

To begin cataract surgery, your eye surgeon will make a miniscule incision in your eye. The natural lens that has been clouded by cataracts will be removed and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The incision made for cataract surgery is so small that no sutures will be needed; the eye will heal itself.

During the procedure, you may feel some light pressure, some cool water, and perhaps Dr. Davis’ hands resting on your cheek. The vast majority of our patients report zero pain during cataract surgery.

Following your procedure, your eye will be taped closed for four hours. You will have a brief recovery time before being driven home by a family member or friend.3

Recovery After Cataract Surgery

Immediately after cataract surgery, you will likely want to rest. Your eye may feel slightly sore or itchy, but try not to touch or rub it.

As you are recovering from surgery, we ask that you refrain from pools and hot tubs for one week and follow all your postoperative instructions very carefully. You may not drive the day of surgery, but many of our patients drive themselves to their postoperative visit the following day. Many patients often return to work the very next day.

Vision after surgery is variable and is affected by many things including the age of the patient, the severity of the cataract and the overall condition of the eye. Most patients report blurry vision the day after cataract surgery with improvement and stabilization of their vision within 1-2 weeks. We require patients to use prescription eye drops to help their eyes recover for about three weeks.

Once the eye has recovered and your vision has stabilized, depending on the IOL that was selected, you may require a new prescription for glasses. This can be determined during a follow-up exam.

senior woman relaxing and reading a book

Frequently Asked Questions About Cataract Surgery

Is cataract surgery painful?

No. Your eyes will be fully numbed before the procedure, and you should feel no pain. Some patients do report a sensation of pressure at certain points during cataract surgery, and it is not uncommon to experience a little soreness immediately after the procedure.

Is cataract surgery risky?

Cataract surgery is among the most frequently performed surgical procedures, and is generally considered to be safe and low-risk. However, any surgical procedure is associated with some risk. While risks of cataract surgery are rare, they may include:

  • Swelling or inflammation
  • Bleeding
  • Infection
  • Artificial lens dislocation
  • Eyelid drooping
  • Vision loss
  • Detached retina4

Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?

When a patient is diagnosed with cataracts and meets specific age and vision requirements, cataract surgery is typically deemed medically necessary and is covered by insurance. For our patients who opt to further enhance their vision with the use of the LenSx laser or advanced IOLs during cataract surgery, some out-of-pocket expenses may be incurred.

Am I a candidate for cataract surgery?

To determine whether you are a candidate for cataract surgery, your eye doctor will perform a thorough examination. In general, the ideal candidate for cataract surgery:

  • Has updated eyeglass or contact lens prescriptions but continues to experience less-than-perfect vision
  • Experiences glares or a decline in nighttime vision
  • Experiences blurred vision
  • Experiences dulled colors
  • Has trouble seeing clearly while performing normal tasks

Contact Davis Eye Center

At Davis Eye Center, we pride ourselves in providing top-quality eyecare in an environment where our patients always come first. If you have questions about cataract surgery or would like to schedule a consultation with Dr. Charles Davis, please contact us.

They are the best. My husband had cataract surgery. He was seeing clearly as soon as tape was removed. No redness or pain. He appreciated the gift the doctor gave him. All the staff was excellent and did an wonderful job of calming him before the surgery. He will be having the other eye done soon
Wanda Hicks

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1 National Eye Institute. Cataract Data and Statistics. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/eye-health-data-and-statistics/cataract-data-and-statistics. Accessed April 6, 2021.
2 Reddy KP, Kandulla J, Auffarth GU. Effectiveness and safety of femtosecond laser-assisted lens fragmentation and anterior capsulotomy versus the manual technique in cataract surgery. J Cataract Refract Surg. 2013;39(9):1297-1306. doi:10.1016/j.jcrs.2013.05.035. April 6, 2021.
3 Mayo Clinic. Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cataract-surgery/about/pac-20384765. Accessed April 6, 2021.
4 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Cataract Surgery. Available: https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/what-is-cataract-surgery. Accessed April 6, 2021.

The doctors at Davis Eye Center have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.