Cataract Surgery in Barrington

Cataract Surgery in Barrington

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(847) 381-5313

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. Barrington Eye Care 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 Barrington 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 Barrington Eye Care.

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
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142 Reviews
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- Aug. 17, 2024
They spent time with me and explained everything
- Aug. 04, 2024
Excellent eye care
- Jul. 24, 2024
Very professional and friendly
- Jul. 22, 2024
Great Dr. and over all great staff!!!!!
- May. 03, 2024
I've seen Dr. Kowar for over 20 years. She's great at diagnosing medical conditions and terrific at... improving vision. My vision changed dramatically when I started working with her. She's a true professional, one with a big heart.
- Apr. 26, 2024
Went to Barrington Eye Care for my annual eye exam after moving out in the area. I had no major conc... erns with my vision however I wanted to stay on top of everything. Everyone at Barrington Eye Care was kind and helpful, and extremely thorough in explaining everything and making sure I had no questions.
- Apr. 24, 2024
The practice runs on-time, the findings are thoroughly explained. The staff is very pleasant to work... with.
- Mar. 23, 2024
Always good service.
- Mar. 21, 2024
Everyone is so amazing, super friendly environment. They make you feel right at home. I’d give the... m 100 stars if it left me. Everyone makes you feel right at home and they make the experience extremely comfortable. I’ve only been in the barrington area for 2 years now and they’re one of the reasons that made the move worth it. All around amazing in every category !
- Feb. 28, 2024
Dr. Lisa Kowar is brilliant. She also is kind and respectful and a good listener. We travel from Chi... cago to see her -- 'nuff said!
- Feb. 06, 2024
Dr. Lisa Kowar is wonderful.She helped me resolve an eye infection and I am very grateful. She is ex... tremely knowledgable, efficient and professional. Thank you Dr. Kowar.
- Feb. 03, 2024
Great staff and Drs! Everyone was so friendly and professional
- Nov. 16, 2023
Dr. Kate is a knowledgeable and caring professional seeking the optimal results. She brought new ins... ights to my follow-up appointment and suggested alternative approaches to correct my vision. Thank you, Dr. Kate!
- Nov. 10, 2023
Got a same day appointment when I needed it and the doctor was fabulous
- Nov. 02, 2023
Best place for complete eye solution. I had an appointment with Dr. Kate Schooley. She was responsiv... e to all my questions and paid great attention examining my eye.
- Oct. 21, 2023
The best place to get glasses. Great selection, great prices, and great staff to help with picking a... pair a glasses.
- Oct. 02, 2023
All of the staff is very professional and my eye dr is so efficient and very nice.
- Oct. 01, 2023
Excellent eye health care!
- Sep. 15, 2023
Dr. Kowar is fantastic! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a quality eye exam with an exper... ienced and caring doctor.
- Sep. 11, 2023
Always happy with the experience.

View All 142 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Barrington

Our optometry practice in Barrington

Photograph of Joseph  Aschenbrenner
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Davis Vision
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • MetLife
  • Blue Cross
  • Aetna

Want to see clearly again?

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

(847) 381-5313

Senior woman