Cataracts

Surgery Information
Multifocal Lens Info
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If you think you might be suffering from cataracts, you’re not alone.

Cataracts are a natural part of the aging process and affect nearly 20.5 million Americans age 40 and older. By age 60, more than half of all Americans have cataracts.

Cataracts are cloudiness that develops in the normally clear lens of the eye. This cloudiness usually worsens until it scatters or blocks light entering the eye; if left untreated, cataracts can blind a person.

The symptoms of cataracts can also indicate other issues. Symptoms include cloudy vision or blurred or dull or faded colors, the glare of sunlight, ghost images, poor night vision, sun-bursting or glares around lights such as headlights or streetlights, or multiple images in the affected eye. If you have any of these symptoms, please make an appointment with us for a complete eye examination.

Age may not be the only factor in the formation of cataracts. Several other factors can contribute to the formation of cataracts.

The most common include:

  •  Diabetes
  • Smoking
  • Long-term exposure to sun and ultraviolet light

Other less common risk factors also include:

  • Exposure to radiation
  • Genetic factors (parent/grandparent who had cataracts)
  • Hypertension
  • Alcohol abuse
  • Eye injuries

The good news is that cataracts are treatable in almost all cases. At Washington Pacific Eye Associates, our skilled surgeons can remove your cataracts and restore your vision. Once cataracts are removed, they will not return again. In addition, with the new intraocular lens technology, both distance and near vision can be corrected simultaneously, giving cataract patients a new glasses-free way of life.

Through cutting-edge technology and technical skills, we aim to achieve the best vision for every patient.

Q&A

Stop wearing make up one day prior to surgery and one week after.
Continue all eye medications through the day before your surgery. Do not stop your medication.
No
Most likely, the surgery center will confirm this with you. Take all your usual medications the morning of surgery with a sip of water.
Please call the surgery center with questions regarding this we will give you then number to call.
Even though your operation itself usually takes less than 20 minutes, you should plan to spend 2-3 hours at the Surgery Center. Preparation and post-operative observation and instruction take time. We are committed to providing the finest surgical care and sometimes that takes extra time.
Take it easy, rest and don’t plan on doing any important paperwork or making any decisions.
Wear a loose shirt or a shirt that buttons in front. Do not wear jewelry.
You will feel pressure and touch during the surgery. If you feel pain during the surgery, please let us know and we will make you more comfortable.
You may doze off, but many of our patients are awake and very relaxed for the surgery. Most times, patients recall very little from the actual surgery itself.
We will gently open your eyelids with a surgical instrument.
No, all you will see is a beautiful, random swirl of colors.
While there is sometimes minor pain after surgery, plain tylenol nearly always relieves it. It is very common to have some "scratchy" feelings mostly the first day.
Usually no. Your surgeon will use stitches if it is indicated.
Laser surgery is available; the standard way to remove a cataract is with ultrasound. Using the ultrasound is covered by your medical insurance. Laser surgery has an additional cost.
If you have chronic respiratory problems, bring your usual medications and inhalers. We can give cough suppressants if we need to. If you have a "cold," call and let us reschedule your surgery.
You will receive a schedule on the day of surgery for a 4 week course. Do not stop your drops early.
They often do. Try using non preservative containing artificial tears in between your drops. If you don’t have any you can pick up some at the office.
You will have a clear shield that you take off when you are awake and put on when going to sleep.
The best lens implants today have special edge treatments that often produce a halo effect or arc of light in the peripheral vision for a few days after surgery. For some patients the symptom takes longer (weeks) to resolve, but rarely is a permanent problem. Glasses with anti-reflective coating are helpful.
Vision after surgery is variable from one eye to the next, even for the same patient. It is usually blurry in all patients during the first two days. Your vision will start to clear slowly over the next 3-4 weeks
Many of our patients see very well and function well without glasses. However, all patients must be prepared to wear glasses for optimal vision.
This varies among patients. Many patients return to work the following day.
Wait at least 1-2 days. Use good judgment. If you are unsure if you should drive, please don't drive.
High altitude and air travel pose no problems after cataract surgery.
The day of surgery, ointment is placed in your eye and your eye stays dilated until the next day. You will have blurry vision. After the first day it should slowly continue to improve until one month has passed for most patients, but others can take longer to heal
It is considered medically necessary and coverage is through your medical insurance and not through your vision insurance company. Please call your insurance company for information regarding your coverage. When you call, the procedure code is 66984 for cataract surgery and the most common diagnosis code is h25.13 for a cataract. Your insurance company should be able to tell you the out of pocket expense. Our fees are 1000.00 to 1500.00 for a cataract surgery. Most insurance plans have a contract with us so that there is a discounted rate. Your insurance company determines what the final fee is charged to you. Please call the surgery center for the facility fee information.

The standard lens used is covered by your insurance, however after the surgery please expect to use reading glasses when reading and possibly distance glasses for your best vision.

 

If you have astigmatism, the toric lens will give you better distance vision without glasses, but you will still need reading glasses and you may need glasses for certain activities.

 

The multifocal lens will give you good “getting around vision” for distance and up close. This is the most “glasses free” option, but you may still not be 100% glasses free.

Yes, your insurance covers a small portion of the cost which is already calculated into the cost for you listed below. They do not cover the additional cost.

We have not seen special circumstances where theses lenses have been covered, but we will submit the billing information to your insurance after your cataract surgery is complete upon your request.

How much do I have to pay for the lenses?
Traditional cataract surgery- (ultrasound with standard lens)-typically covered by insurance

  1. Standard lens- insurance is billed. Patient may receive a bill for any deductibles, co-payments, or co-insurance and any remaining balance that is deemed patient responsibility.
  2. Limbal relaxing incisions is $755.00/eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee $755
  3. Toric lens is $1255/eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee $755 Hospital fees $500
  4. Multifocal lens $2580/eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee $1655 Hospital fees $925

Custom laser cataract surgery (catalys laser) insurance is billed. Patient may receive a bill for any deductibles, co-payments, or co-insurance and any remaining balance that is deemed patient responsibility.

  1. Simple astigmatism (lri-using standard lens)- $1849/eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee - $1349
    Hospital fees-$500
  2. Complex astigmatism (using a toric lens) - $2549/eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee- $1549 Hospital fees- $1000
  3. Premium (using a multifocal lens) - $3274/ eye (this cost is in addition to insurance) professional fee- $1849 Hospital fees- $1425

All fees are due two business days before the scheduled surgery date. Payment plans are available upon request.

Address

134 Central Way Kirkland, WA 98033

Call Us

425-889-2020

Email Us

kirklandeye@gmail.com

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