Cataract Surgery in Erie

Cataract Surgery in Erie

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(814) 824-3937

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. Shawnee Optical - East Erie 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 Erie 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 Shawnee Optical - East Erie.

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
4.5
116 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Oct. 05, 2024
The whole entire staff is amazing. Jennifer was absolutely helpful with figuring out the issue with ... my insurance coverage
- Aug. 04, 2024
Great place, only downfall is how busy they are. Scheduling is months in advance .
- Jul. 28, 2024
Everyone was very friendly and professional. The doctor was thorough and honest. I will be going bac... k for future eye needs.
- Jun. 08, 2024
My experience with Shawnee optical was great and the staff was friendly who helped me and explained ... to me options that I had with them. I had a good experience.
- Apr. 20, 2024
Me and my fam has been going to Shawnee for years, never disappointed. Staff is always with a smile ... on. Dr. Fisher is very professional and always treats us very nice. Office is usually busy but the staff is always on top and get jod done very quick. Come in and out at no time. Definitely recommend.
- Mar. 26, 2024
Service was great.
- Feb. 28, 2024
Always friendly and helpful!!
- Feb. 19, 2024
Great staff, always friendly and helpful. Helped with fixing my broken frames in 3 days. Certainly r... ecommend.
- Feb. 10, 2024
A great place to go. The exam was very good. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful. Dr Fischer... is very nice and tells you what he's doing and why.
- Jan. 22, 2024
I've been going to our local Shawnee since my daughter was prescribed glasses at 2yrs old. They've a... lways been very welcoming and accommodating. Recently, we went down for her new RX and had an issue with her insurance, it was on the insurance's end and we could easily have been told to come back once straightened out. Instead, the wonderful associate had my daughter pick out her glasses, took down a copy of the card and my phone number. She told me not to worry she would keep checking and as soon as her coverage showed active she would send it in. Sure enough that's exactly what she did! Not only did she believe me when I told her it was the insurance's error, but she made my daughter feel comfortable and made sure she was able to get the glasses she wanted. To my that's exceptional service and true definition of going ABOVE AND BEYOND for your customer. Thank you! I highly recommend this location.
- Jan. 14, 2024
Highly recommend office on 38th St.
- Nov. 04, 2023
Have been going there for many year. Staff is friendly and willing to help.
- Oct. 10, 2023
Dr Fischer is incredibly efficient and informative. Front desk and support staff is on point with ev... erything.
- Aug. 16, 2023
Everyone is always helpful and nice.
- Jun. 25, 2023
FIRST TIMER....WISH I HAVE BEEN COMING FOREVER..BUT.. DOCTOR AND SATFF WERE GREAT...IN AND OUT....TH... ANKS
- May. 25, 2023
I have been coming here for three years now and the ladies are amazing. They make you feel comfortab... le and assist with finding the perfect glasses. I have three children that also come here and they are so good with my children.
- Oct. 12, 2022
Went above and beyond to help me with an emergency, so thankful to the entire staff for taking such ... good care of my eye pain!
- Oct. 03, 2022
Great experience. Would recommend.
- Aug. 19, 2022
Thank you Mary. As promised five stars & 👍👍
- Jul. 21, 2022
Nice friendly atmosphere. All staff are polite . A huge variety of frames.

View All 116 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Erie

Our optometry practice in Erie

Photograph of John Fischer
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

Want to see clearly again?

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

(814) 824-3937

Senior woman