Cataract Surgery in San Diego & Imperial County
When cataracts start interfering with reading, driving, or daily activities, surgery can help restore your vision. At American Eye Associates, our surgeons use advanced techniques and customizable lens options to help you see clearly again—often with less reliance on glasses.
Whether you're considering standard lens replacement or exploring premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), our team will guide you through every step with clarity, skill, and personal care.
Understanding How Cataract Surgery Works
Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed and safest procedures in medicine—and it only takes about 15 to 30 minutes.
What you can expect:
- Pre-Surgical Eye Exam: We assess your eye health and discuss your lens implant options
- Numbing the Eye: Your eye will be numbed with anesthetic drops to ensure a painless experience
- Lens Removal: Using advanced techniques, the clouded lens is gently removed through a small incision
- IOL Implantation: A new intraocular lens (IOL) is placed inside the eye to restore clear, sharp vision
- Recovery: Most patients return home the same day and see improvement within 24 to 48 hours
Our cataract surgeons use the latest minimally invasive techniques to help ensure a smooth procedure and fast recovery. Most patients experience an improvement in vision clarity within days of their surgery.
What to Expect Before, During, & After Surgery
Before Surgery
We begin with a comprehensive eye exam to evaluate the severity of your cataracts and discuss your intraocular lens (IOL) options. You’ll receive clear instructions to help you prepare, including when to stop medications, how to use your eye drops, and arranging transportation.
During Surgery
The surgery typically takes 15 to 30 minutes per eye and is painless thanks to numbing eye drops. Our surgeons gently remove and replace the clouded lens with a clear, artificial IOL using state-of-the-art microsurgical techniques.
Because the incision is self-sealing, no stitches are required, allowing for a faster healing process. After a short monitoring period, you can return home the same day with protective eyewear and post-operative instructions.
After Surgery
Most patients experience minimal discomfort following cataract surgery, with mild sensitivity to light and slight irritation common in the first few days. Vision improvement is usually noticeable within 24 to 48 hours as your eyes adjust to the new lens.
Over the next few weeks, your vision will continue to sharpen, with full recovery typically achieved within one month. Follow-up visits with our team allow us to monitor your healing progress, fine-tune your vision, and ensure the best possible outcome.
Standard vs. Premium IOLs
While standard IOLs provide good distance vision, many patients choose premium IOLs for greater visual freedom. Premium options, like multifocal, toric, and extended depth-of-focus lenses, can reduce or even eliminate the need for glasses after surgery by correcting for near, intermediate, and distance vision and astigmatism. We have various premium IOLs available at our El Centro location.