Cataract Surgery

Dr. Paul McDaniel, a leading board-certified ophthalmologist at Southern Eye Group, offers state-of-the-art cataract surgery to patients in Mobile, Foley, Fairhope, and throughout the Alabama Gulf Coast region. Using advanced surgical techniques and the latest intraocular lens implants, Dr. McDaniel helps patients achieve clearer vision and often reduces their reliance on glasses.

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is a condition characterized by the clouding (opacification) of the eye's naturally clear lens. Normally, light passes through the lens, which then focuses it onto the retina, allowing you to see. When the lens becomes cloudy or opaque, it obstructs this light passage, resulting in blurred vision.

What Causes Cataracts?

The most common cause of cataracts is the natural aging process, with cataracts typically developing slowly over many years in older adults. The National Eye Institute reports that over half of Americans aged 80 or older either have cataracts or have undergone cataract surgery.1

However, cataracts can also arise from various other factors, including genetics, certain diseases such as diabetes, eye injuries, or previous eye surgeries. Lifestyle factors like smoking and the use of certain medications, particularly corticosteroids, can also contribute to cataract formation. In some cases, cataracts can be present at birth, known as congenital cataracts. While some cataracts may develop rapidly within months, the progression rate can vary significantly among individuals and is often unpredictable.

Symptoms of Cataracts

If you have a cataract, you might observe several changes in your vision. Common symptoms include:

  • Cloudy or blurry vision
  • Colors appearing faded or less vibrant
  • Double vision (seeing two images instead of one)
  • Increased sensitivity to light and glare
  • Needing brighter light for reading and other close-up tasks
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Seeing halos around lights2

Treatment for Cataracts

Surgery is the only definitive treatment for cataracts, and it is a highly common and safe procedure with an excellent success rate. Following cataract surgery, you can expect to regain clear vision and see much better.


Cataracts typically do not need to be removed immediately. The decision to undergo surgery is often based on how much the cataract is impacting your daily life. In the early stages, updating your eyeglasses prescription, using brighter lighting, or wearing sunglasses can help mitigate the blurry vision and glare caused by cataracts. However, when these adjustments are no longer effective and the cataract begins to interfere with activities such as driving, hobbies, and other daily tasks, it may be time to consider cataract surgery to restore your vision.

Who is a Candidate for Cataract Surgery?

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts and are unhappy with your vision, it's important to consult an eye care professional to determine if you are a candidate for cataract surgery. While the average age for cataract surgery is around 67, some individuals may require the procedure at an earlier age.3

Dropless Cataract Surgery

Dropless cataract surgery is an innovative approach that enhances the convenience and effectiveness of cataract treatment. This advanced technique involves administering a combination of steroid and antibiotic medication directly into the eye during surgery. By eliminating the need for post-operative eye drops, patients can enjoy a simpler, more cost-effective recovery process.

Benefits of Dropless Cataract Surgery

  • Convenience: Eliminates the need to maintain a strict schedule for administering multiple eye drops over a 6-week period.

  • Cost Savings: Reduces the overall cost of post-operative care, as eye drops can be expensive.

  • Reduced Anxiety: Lessens concerns for patients who experience medication anxiety or have difficulty adhering to a drop regimen.

  • Enhanced Safety: Administering medication within the eye lowers the rate of infection compared to topical eye drops.

  • Effectiveness: Proven to be a safe and effective method for protecting against eye swelling and infection.

  • Wide Applicability: Most cataract surgery patients are good candidates for this approach

By choosing dropless cataract surgery with Dr. Paul McDaniel, patients can benefit from a streamlined, hassle-free recovery process, ensuring optimal outcomes with minimal disruption to their daily lives.

MIGS Surgery Combined with Cataract Surgery

For patients with both cataracts and glaucoma, Dr. McDaniel offers the option of combining cataract surgery with Minimally Invasive Glaucoma Surgery (MIGS). This dual approach allows for the simultaneous treatment of both conditions, offering significant benefits in terms of convenience, recovery, and overall eye health. By addressing glaucoma during cataract surgery, patients can reduce their intraocular pressure and manage their glaucoma more effectively, all while improving their vision through cataract removal.

MIGS procedures are designed to be less invasive than traditional glaucoma surgeries, resulting in a faster recovery time and fewer complications. During cataract surgery, Dr. McDaniel can perform MIGS to create a small incision and insert a tiny device or stent to help drain fluid from the eye. This helps to lower intraocular pressure, which is crucial for preventing further optic nerve damage and vision loss in glaucoma patients. The combined procedure not only simplifies the surgical experience but also minimizes the need for additional glaucoma surgeries and medications.

Patients who undergo combined cataract and MIGS procedures benefit from a comprehensive approach to eye care. This method reduces the overall surgical risk, shortens recovery time, and enhances the effectiveness of both treatments. By offering this integrated surgical option, Dr. McDaniel ensures that patients receive the most advanced and efficient care for their eye conditions, leading to better visual outcomes and improved quality of life.

Intraocular Lens Options

During cataract surgery, an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) replaces the eye’s natural lens to restore clear vision. Various types of IOLs are available, some of which can provide vision correction beyond what can be achieved with a standard IOL. Here are the primary categories of IOLs:

Standard Monofocal IOLs: These lenses improve vision blurred by cataracts and enhance distance vision.

Toric IOLs: Designed to correct astigmatism, toric IOLs improve vision at one or multiple distances.

Presbyopia-Correcting IOLs: These premium lenses correct near, intermediate, and distance vision, potentially freeing patients from the need for corrective eyewear after surgery. Additional fees apply for these lenses.

Light Adjustable Lens™ (LAL): This innovative lens allows for post-surgery adjustments to fine-tune vision, offering a customizable option for achieving optimal visual outcomes.

Preparing for Cataract Surgery

Preparing for cataract surgery begins with a comprehensive examination by an experienced ophthalmologist. During this consultation, if you are diagnosed with cataracts, you will discuss the available surgical options and determine the best treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.

In the days leading up to the surgery, your cataract surgeon may prescribe specific eye drops for you to use. On the day of the procedure, it's important to arrive at the surgery center with a clean face, free of makeup, creams, or lotions. Since you will receive a sedative and wear an eye patch after the surgery, you will need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from the surgery center, and your driver will need to stay at the center for the procedure duration.

The Cataract Surgery Procedure

Cataract surgery is a brief outpatient procedure, typically lasting only 10 minutes per eye. Each eye is operated on separately, with surgeries commonly scheduled one to two weeks apart.

Before the cataract surgery procedure begins, your eye will be numbed, and a device will gently keep your eyelids open to prevent blinking. You will be sedated to ensure comfort throughout the surgery.

The procedure starts with Dr. McDaniel making a small incision in the eye. Using a technique called phacoemulsification, the cataract is broken up and removed with ultrasound technology. The natural lens is then replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL). The incision is so small that it heals naturally without the need for sutures.

After the surgery, a protective shield will be placed over your eye to safeguard the new lens during the healing process. You will spend a short time recovering before being driven home by a friend or family member.

Recovery After Cataract Surgery

Following cataract surgery, your eye will be shielded with a protective cover, which you should wear while lying down and sleeping. Initially, your vision may be blurry, but this will soon clear up, revealing a significant improvement as the cloudy natural lens has been replaced with a clear artificial lens.

You might experience some discomfort, itching, pressure, or soreness, but pain is uncommon after cataract surgery. Your doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory and antibiotic eye drops to aid in your recovery. It's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions carefully when using these medications.

A follow-up visit will be scheduled for the day after your surgery to ensure your eye is healing properly. Most patients feel ready to resume normal activities within 24-48 hours, though your doctor will recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a couple of weeks to promote proper healing.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cataract Surgery

  • Cataract surgery is one of the most commonly performed operations globally and is generally regarded as safe and effective. However, like any surgical procedure, it carries certain risks and potential complications.

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that rare risks of cataract surgery may include:

    • Infection

    • Inflammation or swelling

    • Dislocation of the intraocular lens

    • Drooping eyelid

    • Vision loss

    • Retinal detachment

  • For those diagnosed with cataracts, most medical insurances, including Medicare, cover traditional cataract surgery with standard IOLs. However, patients opting for standard IOLs will require full-time bifocal glasses post-surgery. Choosing premium IOLs may result in increased spectacle independence in addition to increased out-of-pocket expenses.

  • The cost of cataract surgery varies based on several factors, including:

    • Your specific insurance plan benefits, deductible, and co-insurance

    • Choice between premium cataract surgery or traditional cataract surgery

    • Type of intraocular lens implant (IOL) needed or chosen

    • Whether one or both eyes require treatment

    During your consultation, Dr. McDaniel will conduct a medical evaluation and discuss the surgical options that best meet your needs, lifestyle, and budget. For patients without insurance or with out-of-pocket expenses, affordable financing solutions are available.

  • Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and cannot be completely prevented. However, maintaining eye health and potentially delaying their onset can be achieved by:

    • Managing diabetes effectively

    • Avoiding smoking

    • Regular eye exams

  • Your eye will be fully numbed with anesthetic drops before the procedure. Some patients report feeling pressure during the surgery, but pain is not typically part of the experience. Many patients do not even remember the procedure itself.

  • Cataract surgery typically takes 10 minutes or less per eye. Including preparation and post-surgery observation, expect to spend around 2-3 hours at our eye center on the day of your procedure.

  • Although vision may improve immediately after surgery, it can take a few days for your eyes to fully adjust, and you must wait at least 24 hours to drive after receiving anesthesia. Avoid driving until your follow-up appointment confirms that you have recovered well and your vision is stable.

  • Cataract surgery can significantly restore vision, but your ability to focus on near or far objects depends on the type of intraocular lens used. Patients with standard IOLs may still need glasses or contact lenses for clear vision at all distances.

  • Cataract surgery permanently replaces the natural lens, offering a lasting solution for cataracts. While cataracts do not return post-surgery, some patients may develop a condition known as posterior capsular opacification (PCO), sometimes referred to as “secondary cataracts.” This can be easily treated with a quick, in-office procedure by our eye surgeons.

Contact Dr. Paul McDaniel

If you are experiencing symptoms of cataracts and wish to explore cataract surgery and the advanced laser and lens options available, contact us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Paul McDaniel of Southern Eye Group. Serving patients in Mobile, Foley, Fairhope, and the Alabama Gulf Coast region, Dr. McDaniel is dedicated to helping you achieve clearer vision and improved quality of life.

1 National Eye Institute. Cataract data and statistics. Available: https://www.nei.nih.gov/learn-about-eye-health/resources-for-health-educators/eye-health-data-and-statistics/cataract-data-and-statistics. Accessed June 25, 2024.
2 Cleveland Clinic. Cataracts. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/8589-cataracts. Accessed June 25, 2024.
3 Kauh CY, Blachley TS, Lichter PR, Lee PP, Stein JD. Geographic Variation in the Rate and Timing of Cataract Surgery Among US Communities. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016 Mar;134(3):267-76. doi: 10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2015.5322. PMID: 26720865; PMCID: PMC5767078. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5767078/. Accessed June 25, 2024.