A: A cataract is a clouding of the naturally clear lens of the eye. This lens is crystal clear at birth but clouds up as you age. In rare instances cataracts may form at younger ages for different reasons.
- Rodger H. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: What are the symptoms of a cataract?

A: Because the lens has become cloudy, a person with cataracts may experience any or all of the following symptoms:
- hazy, blurry or fuzzy vision
- double vision or haloes
- sensitivity to light and glare
- frequent eyeglass prescription changes
- Niki A. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: How will I know if I need my cataracts removed?

A: Most of our patients know when there is something wrong with their vision. They will even come in asking if they have a cataract. The ophthalmologist is the only person who can best determine when the cataract should be removed. This will be determined on the basis of many physical and social factors.
- Barbara H. Schwartz, M.D.

Q: Do I have to wait until a cataract is "ripe" to have it removed?

A: Absolutely not. In the past, when my father removed cataracts, the eye surgeon would need to wait until the cataract was "ripe" or hard, because that made is easiest to remove the hardened lens. This is referred to as traditional cataract surgery, and we still perform it under certain circumstances. No-Stitch surgery can be performed on a ripe cataract, but it is very difficult. The current "No-Stitch" method is our method of choice and offers many benefits over traditional surgery. - Rodger H. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: What is "No-Stitch" cataract surgery?

A: No-Stitch cataract surgery, also referred to as small-incision cataract surgery or microsurgery, involves using an instrument called a phacoemulsifier. Though this instrument is often referred to as a laser, it is not. This instrument is inserted through a tiny hole in your cornea. The instrument then produces sound waves which break up the lens. The pieces are then vacuumed out through this same tiny hole, and a new, folded lens inserted through the hole. This new lens opens up like a butterfly unfolding its wings once it is in the right place.

The slit heals quickly, often requiring no stitches or only a single stitch to close it. This make the recovery process very quick, much quicker than with traditional surgery. - Niki A. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: Do I need a hospital stay for cataract surgery?

A: Cataract surgery is performed on a one-day outpatient basis. We work out of several excellent local hospitals. - Barbara H. Schwartz, M.D.

Q: How many cataract surgeries have you performed?

A: Between my wife and I and our associate, we have performed many thousands of cataract surgeries in our 20+ years as eye surgeons.- Rodger H. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: What about those "1-800-Cataract" ads and other fancy ads I see on TV?

A: Beware of services such as these. We believe that you won't get the care and services you need from places such as these. Oftentimes you may find it difficult to see your surgeon after the surgery is performed.

We urge you to find an eye physician who will personally take care of you from start to finish, handling all the pre-op care, the procedure itself and the follow-up care. In our practice, our physicians and staff stand by you from the minute you walk in our offices and are diagnosed with a cataract untill months- or even years after, you continue to come to our office after we've performed the surgery. We are with you all the way!

We also suggest that the physician you choose for your cataract surgery be easily accessible to your home, so you can easily get you there in a matter of minutes, not hours.- Niki A. Silverstein, M.D.

Q: Is the surgery coverd by Medicare?

A: We accept Medicare assignment for this surgery.- Barbara H. Schwartz, M.D.