Symptoms of Cataracts
As the lens loses its clarity, patients may notice:
In more advanced stages, cataracts can significantly impair both daytime and nighttime vision, affecting your ability to perform daily tasks.
How Cataracts Affect Quality of Life
Cataracts can impact far more than just your eyesight. Blurred vision and other symptoms can:
Restoring clear vision with cataract surgery and lens implants not only improves sight but also supports overall health, safety, and independence—especially in older adults.
Certain health conditions, such as diabetes, or the use of medications like steroids (e.g., cortisone or prednisone), may increase your risk of developing cataracts.
If you’re noticing vision changes, we recommend scheduling a comprehensive eye exam and cataract consultation.
Cataract Surgery at Center for Sight
Cataract surgery at our Fall River location is safe, effective, and routine. If you’ve been told you have cataracts—or suspect you might—there’s no need for alarm. Over 2.5 million cataract surgeries are performed in the U.S. each year. It is one of the safest and most successful surgical procedures available today.
Our surgeons perform cataract surgery using a “no stitch, no injection, no patch” technique on an outpatient basis at the East Bay Surgery Center in Swansea, MA—or another local facility, depending on your insurance.
The process is typically quick and comfortable, requiring only a few hours from check-in to discharge.
What to Expect During Cataract Surgery
Your procedure begins with dilation drops and a local anesthetic to numb the eye. Most patients feel little to no discomfort—some report mild pressure, a cold sensation, or slight burning.
Step-by-step
A tiny incision is made at the edge of your cornea.
A microscopic instrument creates an opening in the lens capsule.
Using ultrasound technology (phacoemulsification), the cloudy lens is gently broken up and removed.
A new, crystal-clear intraocular lens implant (IOL) is inserted through the same incision.
After surgery, you’ll rest briefly at the surgery center before heading home with a friend or family member. You’ll return for a follow-up exam within 24 hours to monitor healing. Most patients resume normal activities within a day or two.
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)
At Center for Sight in Fall River, we are proud to offer Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery (FLACS)—a state-of-the-art advancement in cataract surgery that enhances precision and consistency.
What Is FLACS?
FLACS is an innovative surgical technique that uses a highly advanced femtosecond laser to perform several key steps of cataract surgery that are traditionally done by hand. These steps include:
By automating these delicate portions of the procedure, FLACS adds a new level of precision, safety, and predictability to cataract surgery.
Benefits of Femtosecond Laser Cataract Surgery
Increased Precision
The laser can make incisions and perform lens fragmentation with micron-level accuracy, which may improve visual outcomes.
Gentler on the Eye
Pre-softening the lens with the laser reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required during cataract removal, leading to less stress on the eye.
Improved Astigmatism Correction
For patients with astigmatism, the laser can create customized corneal incisions (limbal relaxing incisions), improving visual results without glasses.
Better Lens Positioning
A perfectly shaped and centered capsulotomy allows for more accurate placement of the intraocular lens (IOL), which can enhance long-term visual performance.
Enhanced Consistency
The computer-guided laser delivers consistently precise results across every procedure, reducing the margin for human error.
Is FLACS Right for You?
Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery may be especially beneficial if you
Have astigmatism and are considering a toric lens implant
Are choosing a premium multifocal or presbyopia-correcting lens
Want the most advanced surgical technology available for added precision
Prefer a gentler procedure that minimizes ultrasound energy exposure to the eye
Your cataract surgeon at Center for Sight will thoroughly evaluate your eyes and discuss whether FLACS is the best option for your vision needs and lifestyle.
Important Note for Patients on Prostate Medications
Many men over 50 take medications for an enlarged prostate, such as:
PLEASE inform our staff if you are taking any of these medications before your cataract surgery.
These drugs can cause a condition known as Intraoperative Floppy Iris Syndrome (IFIS), which affects how the pupil responds during surgery. If we know in advance, we can take precautions to ensure a safe and successful procedure.
Cataract Lens Implants (IOLs)
After cataract removal, we replace your natural lens with an intraocular lens implant (IOL). Today, there are several types of IOLs available, tailored to your vision needs and lifestyle.
Our experienced surgeons will help you choose the lens implant best suited for your eyes and goals.
