Key Takeaways

  • Cataract surgery is a safe and highly effective procedure that restores clearer, brighter vision.
  • At Broberg Eye Care, we perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time to prioritize patient safety and optimal results.
  • Staging the surgeries reduces risk, supports proper healing, and allows your surgeon to evaluate how your eye adapts to the new intraocular lens (IOL).
  • Traditional cataract surgery is just as effective as laser-assisted surgery when performed by an experienced ophthalmologist.
  • Most patients experience noticeable vision improvement within days, with full healing occurring over several weeks.
  • A personalized consultation is the best way to determine the right timing and treatment plan for your cataracts.

At Broberg Eye Care in Austin, Texas, we take a careful, personalized approach to cataract surgery to ensure every patient experiences the safest and most effective results possible. While cataract surgery is a quick and comfortable procedure, our trusted and experienced ophthalmologists recommend operating on only one eye at a time. This approach minimizes risk, promotes better healing, and helps you achieve clearer, more balanced vision.

According to the National Eye Institute, more than half of Americans age 80 or older either have cataracts or have had surgery to remove them. Cataracts develop when proteins in your eye’s natural lens break down and clump together, leading to cloudy, blurry, or less vibrant vision.

What Are Cataracts?

Before explaining why we perform one eye cataract surgery, it’s helpful to understand how cataracts form and how they affect vision.

  • Aging is the most common cause of cataracts. Over time, the proteins inside your eye’s natural lens begin to break down and clump together, making the lens cloudy.
  • Other risk factors include diabetes, family history, certain medications, and eye injuries that can accelerate this clouding process.
  • As cataracts develop, they scatter light entering the eye, causing vision to appear blurry, hazy, or dim.
  • You may notice colors looking faded, increased glare or halos around lights, and difficulty seeing clearly at night.
  • Because cataracts form gradually, many people don’t realize how much their vision has changed until everyday tasks like reading, driving, or recognizing faces become more difficult.
  • In advanced stages, cataracts can make it feel like you’re looking through a fogged or dirty window, significantly reducing your quality of life.

If you’re noticing these symptoms, your local cataract specialists in Austin can evaluate your eyes and determine the best treatment plan to restore your vision.

The Broberg Eye Care Approach to Cataracts

Thankfully, surgery can heal a cataract and restore your blurry vision. We recommend that our patients see if they are a candidate for the surgery, knowing that in 90% of cases, those who have undergone cataract surgery have better vision afterward.

Cataract surgery is considered generally safe and results in significant improvements in vision, from reduced glare to better clarity to enhanced color perception. We have seen many people’s quality of life improve with surgery, restoring the ability to read, drive, and perform daily activities.

But, one of the most frequent questions we hear is, “Can both eyes be done at the same time?”

At Broberg Eye Care, we perform cataract surgery on only one eye at a time, with a two- to four-week recovery time between the first and second eye surgery. This allows your first eye to heal and adjust before operating on the second, ensuring the best long-term results.

Broberg Eye Care does not perform laser-assisted cataract surgery. While lasers can be used, our experienced and skilled doctors at Broberg Eye Care prefer traditional cataract surgery, which uses handheld instruments such as a blade and forceps to make the incisions and remove the lens.

Studies do not show that laser surgery results in fewer complications or provides better outcomes. Your outcome depends in large part on the skill and experience of your surgeon. As a result, both traditional and laser-assisted cataract surgery options can be discussed with your doctor to hear their recommendation and preference.

As your trusted ophthalmologist in Austin, TX, our experienced surgical team will prioritize the precision, safety, and your overall comfort at every stage of the process.

Why We Perform One Eye Cataract Surgery

There are several important reasons why our cataract surgeons operate on one eye at a time:

1. Safety First

Performing surgery on one eye at a time reduces risk. If complications occur during or after surgery, only one eye is affected, which makes treatment and recovery much more manageable.

2. Better Healing & Recovery

Each eye needs time to heal after surgery. Performing both surgeries simultaneously can overwhelm the healing process and increase the risk of infection or inflammation.

3. Vision Adjustment

Waiting between procedures allows your ophthalmologist to assess how well you adapt to the new intraocular lens (IOL) in the first eye. This helps fine-tune the second surgery for optimal results.

4. Accurate Monitoring

Staging the surgeries allows for better progress tracking and any necessary treatment adjustments, ensuring the best possible visual outcome.

Although simultaneous cataract surgery—operating on both eyes during the same visit—is possible, it’s uncommon and typically only recommended under very specific medical circumstances.

Cataract Surgery & Recovery Timeline

Cataract surgery is a fast and painless outpatient procedure that usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes per eye. During the operation, your surgeon makes a small incision in the front of your eye to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear, artificial one.

What to Expect After Surgery

  • You’ll wear a protective eye shield for a few days, especially while sleeping.
  • Mild blurriness, redness, or scratchiness is normal during early recovery.
  • Vision will gradually become sharper and colors appear brighter as the eye heals.
  • Redness in the whites of your eyes, scratchiness, or a sensation that something is in your eye is common, but with time and healing, these will subside.

Getting surgery on one eye at a time will result in a smoother, more comfortable experience overall.

Schedule Your Cataract Surgery Consultation

If you’re considering cataract surgery in Austin, TX, our compassionate team at Broberg Eye Care is here to guide you through every step. During your consultation, we’ll review your eye health, explain the cataract surgery process, and discuss why operating on one eye at a time provides the safest and most effective results.

Schedule your cataract surgery consultation today and take the first step toward clearer vision.

FAQs About One-Eye-at-a-Time Cataract Surgery

Q: Why can’t both cataracts be removed on the same day?

A: While it is technically possible, operating on one eye at a time significantly reduces the risk of complications affecting both eyes. If inflammation, infection, or an unexpected issue occurs, it will only impact one eye, allowing for a safer treatment and recovery.

Q: How long do I need to wait between cataract surgeries?

A: At Broberg Eye Care, we typically recommend waiting two to four weeks between surgeries. This allows the first eye to heal properly and gives your ophthalmologist time to assess your visual results before scheduling the second procedure.

Q: Will my vision feel unbalanced between surgeries?

A: Some patients notice temporary differences in clarity between the treated and untreated eye. However, most people adjust quickly, and the second surgery restores balanced vision. Your doctor will discuss options to help you stay comfortable during this transition.

Q: Is traditional cataract surgery as safe as laser-assisted surgery?

Yes. Studies show that traditional cataract surgery and laser-assisted surgery have similar safety profiles and outcomes. The experience and skill of your surgeon play the most important role in achieving excellent results.

Q: How soon will I see clearly after cataract surgery?

Many patients notice improved vision within a few days. While mild blurriness or redness is normal at first, your vision will continue to sharpen as the eyes heal over several weeks.