Cataract Surgery

Cataracts, or clouding of the eye’s natural lens due to an alteration in protein structure, happen to many of us, with more than half of people 80-years or older having cataracts or having had surgery to remove them, according to the National Eye Institute. Aspen Valley Hospital is proud to offer some of the most advanced cataract surgery options in the Mountain West. In addition to multifocal lenses and toric lenses, our expert ophthalmology team now provides patients with implantable light adjustable lenses in cataract surgery. Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) by RxSight optimizes precision and the opportunity to fine-tune vision post-surgery, leading to remarkable patient outcomes and enhanced vision. Studies have shown patients who received the Light Adjustable Lens were almost twice as likely to achieve 20/20 vision or better without glasses (compared to patients who have standard lens implants).

What is a Cataract?

Clouding of the natural eye lens due to cataracts can distort or block light from being able to enter the eye and focus light on the retina. Images become fuzzy, headlights start to become bothersome at night, and life generally becomes less colorful.

What Causes Cataracts?

Age is a large factor in the development of cataracts. Around 40 years of age, the protein cells in the lens of the eye start to break down. By age 60, a physician can usually tell the lens is starting to cloud, and cataracts are forming. Regardless of how active one is, cataracts can still form, and vision quality can deteriorate.

How Do You Treat Cataracts?

The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. However, this is only necessary once cataract symptoms become bothersome. Sometimes a new eyeglass prescription can help, but patients should consider surgery when cataracts begin to impair daily life. Fortunately, there are a variety of effective cataract surgery options at Aspen Valley Hospital, including Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL®) by RxSight.