Cataract Navigator
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You have been diagnosed with cataracts and referred to see me. Before we meet, I want to make sure you have everything you need to feel informed and confident.
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I created this resource because I believe an informed patient is an empowered patient. The more you understand before our appointment, the better chance we have of hitting your vision goals together.
📋 Click through this navigator to learn about what a cataract is, what cataract surgery involves, and your lens options — all before your first visit.
Cataracts are extremely common and cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful procedures in all of medicine. You are in excellent hands.
Understanding what's happening inside your eye
Inside your eye sits a clear, flexible lens. Its job is to focus light onto the back of your eye so you can see clearly. When this lens is healthy, light passes through perfectly and your vision is sharp.
Diagram: Cross-section of the eye showing the clear natural lens
Add image here — source from NEI.nih.gov or AAO.org
Over time — usually as a natural part of aging — this lens begins to cloud over. That clouding is called a cataract. Instead of light passing through cleanly, it gets scattered and blurred before it reaches the back of your eye.
💡 Think of it like a foggy or frosted window. No matter how hard you try to look through it, the view is never quite clear.
Diagram: Clear lens vs clouded lens — side by side comparison
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Cataracts develop slowly, so you may have already been experiencing some of these:
Cataracts are extremely common — the leading cause of treatable vision loss worldwide. Cataract surgery is one of the safest, most successful procedures in all of medicine. You are in good hands.
A safe, proven procedure that restores clear vision
Cataract surgery removes the clouded natural lens from your eye and replaces it with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens, or IOL. This IOL becomes a permanent part of your eye and restores the clear vision your cataract was taking away.
Diagram: Clouded lens being removed and IOL being inserted
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Many patients are surprised by how gentle and straightforward the procedure is:
Diagram: Step-by-step surgical process illustration
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👁️ One eye at a time: If both eyes have cataracts, we treat one eye at a time — typically a few weeks apart. This ensures the first eye is healing well before we proceed with the second.
Cataract surgery is one of the most performed surgical procedures in the world with an outstanding safety record. Most patients describe the experience as far easier than they expected.
One of the most important decisions in your cataract journey — choosing the right lens for your eye and your lifestyle.
💡 Not all lenses are the same. The lens you choose determines how you see for the rest of your life. Understanding your options now means we can have a more focused conversation when we meet.
There is exciting new lens technology coming out every year — and I love that we have so many great options to offer patients. But I want to be honest with you: there is no single "best" lens. Every lens has pros and cons, and the right choice depends entirely on your eyes, your lifestyle, and what matters most to you.
For example, multifocal lenses work by splitting light between distance and near vision — which is remarkable technology, but that splitting comes with a trade-off. It can decrease contrast sensitivity and increase the chance of glare, halos, and rings around lights at night. For some patients this is barely noticeable. For others it matters a great deal.
A person who drives frequently at night and doesn't mind wearing reading glasses for close work, for example, may be far better served by a monofocal lens than a multifocal — even though the multifocal is considered the more "premium" option. Premium doesn't always mean better for every patient. That's exactly why we take the time to understand your life before making a recommendation.
Focuses at one distance — usually distance vision. Most patients still need reading glasses for close-up tasks. Covered by most insurance plans. A proven, reliable choice for sharp distance vision.
Designed specifically to correct astigmatism in addition to your cataract. If you currently wear glasses or contacts for astigmatism, this lens can reduce or eliminate that need. Premium upgrade cost applies.
Designed to provide vision at multiple distances — distance, intermediate, and near — reducing or eliminating the need for glasses altogether. Premium upgrade cost applies. Best candidates are motivated to reduce glasses dependence.
A unique lens whose power can be adjusted after surgery using UV light treatments. Allows fine-tuning of your prescription after you've healed — a personalized approach to your final vision outcome.
Diagram: Visual comparison of what each lens type sees at distance, intermediate, and near
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Even if you want maximum glasses freedom, there may be reasons based on your eye health or lifestyle that make a premium multifocal or EDOF lens less suitable for you. These include:
Dr. Skillings will evaluate all of these factors at your appointment and give you an honest, personalized recommendation — not just the most expensive option.
📹 IOL Options Explainer Video
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There is no wrong answer. When we meet, I'll review your measurements and lifestyle and help you choose the lens that fits your eyes and your life best.
Answer 8 quick questions about your lifestyle and vision goals. Print your results and bring them to your appointment — it helps Dr. Skillings prepare your personalized lens recommendation.
Fill this out by hand, then bring it to your appointment with Dr. Skillings
Please complete this form and bring it to your appointment. There are no right or wrong answers — just be honest about what matters most to you.
How important is it to you to see without glasses after surgery?
Which activity is most important to your daily life?
How often do you drive at night?
How many hours a day do you spend on a computer or tablet?
Do you currently have astigmatism in your glasses prescription?
Which best describes your reading habits?
How do you feel about wearing reading glasses after surgery if needed?
Is there anything specific you want Dr. Skillings to know about your vision goals or concerns?
Do you currently read without glasses?
Have you ever had LASIK, PRK, or any other laser or refractive surgery on your eyes?
Have you ever tried monovision — where one eye is set for distance and the other for near (sometimes done with contacts)?
Cataract Navigator · EyeMind.health · Coastal Eye Group · Dr. Brede Skillings, MD · (843) 652-3937
For educational purposes only. This survey does not constitute medical advice.
Cataract Navigator
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What to expect at your first appointment with Dr. Skillings
📅 Plan for 2–3 hours. Your evaluation involves several tests and measurements. We want to be thorough so we can make the best recommendation for your eyes and your lifestyle.
Photo: Office waiting area / check-in
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Photo or diagram: Biometry / IOL measurement equipment
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There is no pressure and no rush. This appointment is about information and planning. You will leave with a clear understanding of your eyes and your options — and the decision is always yours.
📋 One more thing: Before your visit, we'd love to know a little more about your lifestyle and vision goals. Please take 2 minutes to complete our Lens Preference Survey — it helps Dr. Skillings prepare for your consultation.
Common questions patients have before their cataract evaluation and surgery — answered by Dr. Skillings.
Cataracts are not an emergency — you do not have to rush into surgery. Many patients watch and wait until the cataract affects their quality of life enough to warrant treatment.
However, waiting too long can make surgery slightly more complex as the cataract hardens. The best time to have surgery is when your vision is bothering your daily life — driving, reading, or enjoying activities. We will help you decide together.
No — your natural lens is permanently removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens (IOL). The IOL does not cloud over. However, about 20–30% of patients develop a condition called posterior capsule opacification (sometimes called a "secondary cataract") months to years later, where the thin membrane behind the IOL becomes hazy.
This is easily treated with a quick, painless in-office laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy — no surgery required.
Yes — your prescription will change significantly after surgery because your natural lens (which contributed to your prescription) has been replaced. Wait until 4–6 weeks after surgery (and after both eyes if having bilateral surgery) before updating your glasses, as your vision continues to stabilize during healing.
Dilation drops widen the pupil so Dr. Skillings can see the full lens and the structures behind it — including the retina and optic nerve. This is essential to evaluate the severity of your cataract and to check for any other conditions (macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic changes) that could affect your surgical outcome.
Your vision will be blurry and light-sensitive for 4–6 hours after dilation — bring sunglasses and plan not to drive yourself home.
Contact lenses subtly change the shape of your cornea. The precise measurements taken at your evaluation (used to calculate your IOL power) must reflect your natural cornea shape — not one altered by a contact lens. Inaccurate measurements lead to inaccurate IOL power, which affects your final vision.
Yes — cataract surgery is performed under local anesthesia with numbing eye drops. You will be awake but completely comfortable. Most patients feel no pain whatsoever. You may see light or movement during the procedure but will not see the surgical instruments.
A mild oral sedative is sometimes given to help you relax. General anesthesia is not used for routine cataract surgery.
The procedure itself takes approximately 15–20 minutes. However, plan to be at the surgery center for 2–3 hours total to account for pre-operative preparation, the procedure, and a brief recovery period before going home.
This is one of the most common concerns patients have — and the answer is reassuring. A small, gentle instrument holds your eyelid open so blinking is not possible during surgery. The numbing drops also reduce the blink reflex. Small natural eye movements are expected and accounted for. Dr. Skillings is trained to work with them.
Medicare and most insurance plans cover cataract surgery and a standard monofocal IOL when surgery is medically indicated. Premium lenses — Toric, Multifocal, EDOF, and Light Adjustable — involve an additional out-of-pocket upgrade cost that is not covered by insurance.
Our team will provide a detailed cost breakdown at your evaluation so you can make an informed decision with full pricing transparency.
IOL exchange is possible but is considered a more complex secondary procedure and is only done when truly necessary. The goal is to choose the right lens from the start — which is why we spend so much time on measurements, lifestyle discussions, and the lens preference survey before surgery.
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is the one exception — its power can be fine-tuned after surgery using a non-invasive UV light treatment in office.
Most patients are cleared to return to golf at 2 weeks after surgery, pending clearance at the 1-week follow-up appointment.
⛳ Always wear sunglasses on the course to protect your healing eye from wind, dust, and UV. Do not rub your eye even if it waters.
Swimming requires a longer recovery period because water carries bacteria and chemicals that can cause serious infection during healing.
⚠️ Four weeks is a small investment to protect your new vision. Do not rush back into the water.
Help Dr. Skillings understand your lifestyle and vision goals before your appointment. There are no right or wrong answers — just be honest about what matters to you.