Cataract Surgery in Pittsfield

Cataract Surgery in Pittsfield

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(217) 285-4800

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Woman smiling

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.


How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your Pittsfield optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact International Eyecare Center - Pittsfield.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.

Patient Reviews
4.8
130 Reviews
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1
- Oct. 27, 2024
Good people, very caring . Taking time to answer any questions.
- Oct. 24, 2024
Great Doctor and office staff. I have gone for years. Never a complaint.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Dr. Leahy and his staff are wonderful, patient and accommodating!
- Jul. 31, 2024
(Translated by Google) Excellent service and everyone friendly (Original) Excelente servicio y amab... les todos
- Jun. 23, 2024
Always pleased with my care and experience at ECI. I’ve been a patient of Dr Leahy for many years ... and appreciate his expertise with my eye care each year.
- May. 01, 2024
Great people and service here. They really do want to help you.
- Mar. 05, 2024
Dr. Tim is fun
- Feb. 19, 2024
Dr Leahy is knowledgeable and efficient and experienced
- Dec. 26, 2023
Friendly and very fast
- Oct. 31, 2023
They are the best. Both staff and Dr. Leahy!!
- Jul. 19, 2023
Awesome staff and Dr. Leahy is the best!!
- Jul. 03, 2023
The receptionists are very friendly
- Jun. 28, 2023
Everyone was friendly and helpful. Dr. Leahy made me feel at ease and explained everything in an ea... sy to understand way!
- Aug. 23, 2022
I had a wonderful experience with Dr. Leahy and the staff. I would recommend everyone who hasn't see... n an eye doctor see Dr. Leahy.
- May. 07, 2021
I appreciated the sincere interest Dr. Leahy showed in my eye problem.
- Apr. 23, 2021
I’ve seen lots of eye doctors, but Dr. Leahy is the only one who has ever been able to get me seei... ng well. He explains what he is looking for and why certain things work and do not work in terms that a layperson can understand. He takes all the time he needs to get things right. It is really nice that we have someone who really excels at his profession in such a small town. After ten years living out of state with insurance that would not cover IEC, I finally decided it was worth it to pay out of pocket just to see Dr. Leahy—and see again!
- Jan. 20, 2021
Great place, listens to his patients and talks to you and not at you! Concerned about the health of ... your eyes and is very straightforward in determining what the best course of action is.
- Sep. 29, 2019
IEC is a wonderful place to go for an eye exam. From the time you are going through the process of ... preparing for your exam to the actual exam with Dr. Leahy you’re treated with excellent care.
- May. 26, 2019
Best place to go. Staff and doctor are always helpful and detailed. Always have an answer to my ques... tions.
- Apr. 09, 2019
All I can say is there wonderful! Dr. Timothy Leahy and his group are wonderful people! They are ver... y caring and have a lot of compassion for others, this is much more then a job to them it’s helping others get the best care they can offer so you can see your best and enjoy life to the fullest! Sincerely Marta Ashley

View All 130 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Pittsfield

Our optometry practice in Pittsfield

Photograph of Tim  Leahy
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 11:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross

Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

(217) 285-4800

Senior woman