Clinically Integrated Care to Diagnose and Treat Cataracts
Loyola Medicine provides comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for cataracts. Our dedicated team of doctors, surgeons and nurses will provide expert care and address any questions and concerns that you may have.
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. As it progresses, a cataract can interfere with your ability to see clearly. There is currently no way to eliminate a cataract except surgically. Most often, a cataract is treated with a lens implant made of plastic materials to replace the natural hazy lens.
Cataracts are often a result of aging, although the age at which they interfere with an individual’s quality of life varies widely. Cataract surgery is performed when the cataract impairs an individual’s ability to read, drive or perform other activities of daily living.
Loyola’s ophthalmology team offers a wide range of comprehensive eye care services. Our board-certified ophthalmologists and licensed optometrists provide diagnostic services and personalized treatment for adults and children in all ophthalmic subspecialties. Our ophthalmology department uses the most current, state-of-the-art equipment and procedures.
What to Expect with Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is almost always performed as an outpatient procedure. Patients return home the same day and usually return to their doctor’s office for follow-up the following day. Eyedrops are used for four to six weeks to accelerate the healing process and prevent infection.
Vision is usually greatly improved after the first four weeks, although many patients see better after a day or two. Activity is limited for the first week after surgery to avoid any harm to the eye during the healing phase.
Cataract surgery has become one of the most successful procedures in all of medicine, with 95 percent of patients having improved vision after this procedure. Complications such as bleeding and infection can occur, but are quite rare. Most patients will require a new eyeglass prescription after cataract surgery, more often for reading.
Loyola is a leader in state-of-the-art small incision, sutureless cataract surgery. Each patient is unique and should discuss the specifics of surgery with his or her ophthalmologist.
Specialized Ophthalmology Services at Loyola
Loyola’s ophthalmology program provides care for men, women and children of all ages in outstanding, conveniently located facilities. We have multidisciplinary facilities at Loyola University Medical Center, in addition to outpatient services at other locations.
We offer the following specialized services to provide you with the most comprehensive care:
- Neuro-ophthalmology — Our highly experienced neurologists and ophthalmologists provide clinically integrated care for eye conditions that are related to the nervous system. Neuro-ophthalmology, a subspecialty of both neurology and ophthalmology, requires specialized training and expertise in problems of the eye, brain, nerves and muscles.
- Oculoplastics and orbital surgery — Loyola’s surgeons have advanced training in reconstructive, ophthalmologic and cosmetic eye surgery for the eyelids, eyes, eyebrows, orbital cavity and lacrimal (tear duct) system, as well as the cheeks and forehead.
- Pediatric ophthalmology — Loyola’s pediatric ophthalmology program is dedicated to diagnosing and treating vision disorders and problems in infants, children and adolescents. We take a multidisciplinary approach to care, bringing together the expertise of pediatric ophthalmologists, pediatric eye surgeons, optometrists, certified orthoptists and certified ophthalmic assistants.
Exceptional Research to Advance Ophthalmology Care
Loyola’s expert ophthalmology program is actively pursuing new research with a focus on patient-centered outcomes. As an academic medical center, Loyola is dedicated to improving future treatments by conducting research on new diagnostics and treatments. Loyola’s patients benefit from research discoveries made here.
Learn about Loyola’s current clinical trials
