Cataract Surgery in Edwardsville

Cataract Surgery in Edwardsville

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(618) 656-3199

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. Eigenbrodt Vision Center will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Woman smiling

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.


How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your Edwardsville optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact Eigenbrodt Vision Center.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.

Patient Reviews
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180 Reviews
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- Oct. 01, 2024
Wonderful attentive staff !
- Jun. 30, 2024
Excellent office, professional, knowlegeable, friendly and obviously respect their fellow staff. Dr ... Engelbrodt is amazing, he listens, does a thorough exam and will work with you until you are completely satisfied with vision
- May. 29, 2024
I’ve been a patient of Dr. Eigenbrodt since I was 16. For 30 years he has been kind and caring, t... horough and never made me feel rushed. His office is welcoming, friendly and always tidy and clean.
- Apr. 19, 2024
Dr. Eigenbrodt and his staff are wonderful. I highly recommend Eigenbrodt Vision Center.
- Mar. 25, 2024
Great service. Quick and efficient.
- Mar. 13, 2024
My son had an eye injury at school, and I brought him to Eigenbrodt Vision Center to be evaluated. T... hey were able to see us the same day, and the staff were all amazing and so attentive. The office was lovely, and we received excellent care from Dr. Oliver. She was exceptional and treated my son with such a calm, reassuring manner. We will absolutely return here for any other vision related needs!
- Feb. 20, 2024
Dr and Staff exceptionally friendly, professional and helpful.
- Feb. 12, 2024
Great care by Dr. Eigenbrodt, both in the actual exam; and in listening to and answering my question... s and concerns.
- Feb. 10, 2024
Professional and courteous staff!
- Jan. 15, 2024
I decided to try Eigenbrodt out after negative experiences with Walmart vision center. They were ver... y helpful, kind, informative and affordable. I will be coming back for anything eye related!
- Jan. 15, 2024
Staff and the doctors can't be beat. We moved two hours away several years ago and still make the tr... ip every year. Totally worth it.
- Dec. 13, 2023
Complete eye exam
- Nov. 17, 2023
Excellent service. Newest technologies. Accommodating staff
- Aug. 13, 2023
Thorough eye exam, great selection of frames, friendly staff.
- Jun. 24, 2023
I have always had a great experience. From my glasses to contacts I've always been satisfied
- May. 09, 2023
Dr. Oliver is the best. She’s very personable and truly cares. She’s quick to offer advice and r... ecommend helpful products and provide samples. She makes the experience easy.
- Apr. 18, 2023
Friendly and very helpful staff.
- Mar. 25, 2023
Very thorough.
- Mar. 22, 2023
Every aspect of my visit was high quality.
- Mar. 05, 2023
Easy to get an appointment online plus you can fill out all of your forms online as well. Location i... s great. Staff were professional and quick to get me in. Cost was about what you expect and is dependent on what type of frames and glass type you choose. They can also make sunglasses with prescriptions and they offer contact lenses in many colors. Turn around to get my glasses was 2 weeks. Highly recommend.

View All 180 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Edwardsville

Our optometry practice in Edwardsville

Photograph of John  Eigenbrodt
Hours
  • Monday 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am - 6:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

(618) 656-3199

Senior woman