A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye. The natural lens is a fine, transparent object suspended behind the pupil opening of the eye and is normally clear. When light enters the eye it passes through the pupil and the lens. The lens focuses the light rays onto the retina at the back of the eye which in turn sends a message to the brain. However, when cataracts develop, the light is distorted and cannot focus clearly on the retina causing reduced vision.

Almost everyone who lives a long life will develop cataracts. The most common cause of a cataract is natural age-related changes, however other causes are trauma, inflammation, radiation damage, metabolic and nutritional defects, or birth defects.

Some common symptoms of a developing cataract are: objects appear yellowed, haziness, appearance of dark spots or shadows, increased need for more light to see clearly, halos or coloured rings around lights, increased nearsightedness, and double vision.

This varies from person to person. Some cataracts may develop slowly over the years while others may progress rapidly within a few months. A cataract does not spread from one eye to another but will usually develop in both eyes at some time.

What to expect for your first appointment will vary according to the reason you were referred to our clinic. You will be told if you need to bring a driver. Cataracts: Please do not wear soft contacts for 24 hours before your appointment time and do not wear hard contacts for one week before your appointment. During your first appointment, you will receive a series of vision tests. We will also take scans (pictures) of your eyes. Dry Eye Clinic: Only one appointment will be needed for the Dry Eye Clinic. Before your first appointment, you will be sent out a questionnaire to fill out. During your first appointment, you will have various tests to help us determine your best options. Glaucoma: During your first appointment you will undergo a serious of vision tests and we will take scans (pictures) of your eye. To reduce the number of touch surfaces, patient questionnaires and paperwork are now completed online before your appointment.

Dilation is when medicated drops are added to your eye that act on the muscles in your eye, making your pupils enlarged. This effect is similar to how the size of your pupils grow when you are in the dark. Dilation typically lasts 4-6 hours. You cannot drive a vehicle after dilation appointments, so please arrange alternate transportation home. As the decision to use dilation is made on a patient-to-patient basis, the below appointment types are generalizations. Consults: Consult appointments for Glaucoma, Cataract, Diabetic Retinopathy, Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), or Posterior Capsule Opacification (PCO) usually will require dilation. For all other appointments or if you have any questions, please call our office phone at 250 382-3937.

Autorefractor- gives us a starting point for what your vision prescription currently is. Optical Coherence Tomography- scans the back of your eyes (retinas) to help detect abnormalities. Biometry- allows us to take measurements of the inside and outside structure of your eye. This is so we can calculate the lens needed for surgery. Topography- allows us to “map” the front of your eye (cornea), and it shows us if any irregularities are present. Chart Reading with Pinhole Glasses- pinhole glasses allow the light rays to focus more precisely at the back of your eye, like how glasses correct your vision. LipiScan- an imager that allows us to view various oil glands in your eyelids Electroretinogram- measures how your retina responds to light Pachymetry- measures the thickness of your eye’s cornea (front surface of your eye) Colour Test- assesses your colour vision and is useful in a variety of conditions Humphrey Visual Field Test- measures your peripheral (side) vision using lights. Matrix Visual Field Test- measures your peripheral (side) vision using a pattern of lines

Your optometrist performed and gathered initial testing information before your visit to our ophthalmology clinic. We will need to do additional specific tests not performed by your optometrist to understand the details of your condition, and some tests benefit from repeat testing over time.

Glaucoma is a general term to describe a variety of conditions that damage the optic nerve in the back of the eye. Often, it is related to high pressure in the eye. If not treated, it can lead to vision loss. Please see this link for more information.

Victoria Eye Care offers Thermal Pulsation Therapy (MiBo), BlephEx, and Intense Pulsed Light treatment (IPL) as treatments for Dry Eye Syndrome. MiBo, BlephEx, or IPL are not covered by insurance plans. Depending on the patient, multiple rounds of treatment may be needed. Their costs are as follows: MiBo: $250 per treatment BlephEx: $250 per treatment IPL: $500 per treatment

Click here to access a printable Cataract Surgery Drop Tracker One is an antibiotic that helps to protect you against bacterial infection after surgery. Second is an anti-inflammatory to reduce swelling and pain in your eye after surgery. Third is a steroid to reduce inflammation in your eye after surgery. The drops do not need to be applied in any specific order but be sure to allow them to sit in the eye for 2-3 minutes in between each drop. If you are taking eye drops for other conditions (e.g. glaucoma drops, teardrops), continue to use them as prescribed, but space them out from the surgery drops. You can use these other drops on the morning of the surgery if you regularly take them in the morning.

Surgeries are booked on a case-by-case basis. Each patient’s condition is individually assessed, and more urgent cases may be scheduled earlier if needed. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, our typical wait time was around six months. Due to our reduced ability to see more patients and the backlog of canceled surgeries that need to be rescheduled, our cataract surgery wait time is now six to twelve months.

Not everyone is eligible for premium lenses. Underlying eye concerns can limit you from getting the full benefit of a premium lens.

Proparacaine (Alcaine) This drop is a short-acting anesthetic that temporarily numbs the eye surface during the testing process. Dilating Drops- Dilating drops help to enlarge your pupils so we are better able to look inside your eyes. Two different types of dilating drops are used, each which acts differently on the muscles of your eye. The effects of the dilation drops tend to last 4-6 hours, although some people can be affected longer. In rare cases, the effects last for 24 hours if you react more strongly to the drops. All the drops do have a sting, but once Alcaine is used the other drops will not be felt. Without Alcaine, the dilation drops tend to have a much worse sting. This sting is caused by the preservatives used in the drops and is completely normal. Closing the eye for a moment can help reduce the stinging.

No, but if you are taking eye drops for other conditions (e.g. glaucoma, teardrops), continue to use them as prescribed.

Continue the use of eye drops until the bottles run out; some drops will run out before others. You do not need to refill the eye drops.

Please start using Moxifloxacin and Prolensa two days before surgery or as the physician has advised.

Yes, please use your drops as scheduled before coming into all post-operative appointments.

The original prescription has a refill on it. Return to the same pharmacy where you got your first prescription and they should refill it for you. If they have any questions or concerns, they can call our office to clarify.

The pretest appointment allows the doctor to have access to all your test information at the time of your consult appointment, which helps with your overall care. It also allows your appointment times to be shortened and for us to help more patients each day, which lessens our wait times for new patients that need to be seen.

No, continue to take all your regular medications even on the day of surgery, unless told otherwise. However, the surgery eyedrops are not to be used the morning of the surgery.

You will be at the hospital for approximately one to two hours.

Your surgery will take place at the Royal Jubilee Hospital (RJH). There are Hospital Ambassadors located outside the entrance to help screen and direct patients. Enter through the main doors on the Bay Street entrance to RJH beside the emergency room entrance. Go up to the second floor for access to Clinic 6. You do not need to stop at the main reception desk. You are allowed to have someone escort you into the hospital and be with you. They will not be allowed into the surgical suite.

No, please do not use your surgery eye drops the morning of your surgery. Click here to access a printable Cataract Surgery Drop Tracker

The anesthetic drops used during surgery are very strong as your eye needs to be dilated maximumly for the physician to operate. It is normal for the effects of dilation to last for 2 to 3 days after surgery.

The first day after the surgery is still early in the healing process. As the eye has more time to heal, your vision will change. As your eye heals, your vision will improve. A scratchy or grittiness sensation in the eye may occur for a few days after surgery, but this will lessen with time. You can use artificial tears to relieve the symptoms.

The choice to continue using your glasses is your decision. You may find it better to not wear them at all or to have the lens removed from the surgical side, so you will still have vision correction in your other eye. This allows you to use the same pair of glasses until you have had both your eyes operated upon. Any optical lens business can remove the lens; however, Victoria Eye Care cannot. It is best to wait 6 weeks after both eyes have been operated upon before getting new prescription glasses to allow enough time for your eyes to heal and your vision to settle after surgery.

No, patients cannot drive themselves to their day after surgery follow-up appointment.

For the first for the first two weeks following surgery: No bending at the waist for an extended period of time (e.g. gardening) No submerging your face in water No lifting more than 10 lbs It is recommended that you do not wear eye makeup for the first two weeks following surgery. Please wait one month before going snorkeling or scuba diving.

Wear your eye shield for one week only when sleeping following surgery.

If you are feeling comfortable with air travel, you do not need to wait to travel. There are no post-surgery flying restrictions for cataract surgery.

If you had no previous restrictions or limitations on your driving, you may drive again after your day one post-surgery appointment or once you feel you have your balance back. If you do have previous restrictions, please speak to your doctor.

After your surgery and post-operative appointment(s), your eye care now returns to your optometrist who is your primary eye care specialist. If your optometrist feels as if any concerns you have are related to your cataract surgery, they will refer you back.