Cataract Surgery in Evanston

Cataract Surgery in Evanston

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(847) 859-6877

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. Evanston Eye Wellness 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 Evanston 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 Evanston Eye Wellness.

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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164 Reviews
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- Feb. 06, 2025
Great frame collection and customer service!
- Jan. 17, 2025
10/10 experience from start to finish. I had my initial exam, dilation, picked out glasses, and had ... a final exam all within an hour. Every person I interacted with was kind and very professional. I also get the feeling that they are happy to support the patient with whatever they’re looking for and they’re not pushing a sales quota or agenda. I came here because of the Google rating and it was definitely the right choice. The vibe of the space is friendly, open, with good music and a happy staff.
- Dec. 16, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness is a friendly and thorough service. They take the time needed to assess your ... needs and provide timely deliveries. They also manage an intricate sliding scale for those of us whose finances are in the “more limited” category.
- Dec. 12, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness provides exceptional customer service. The staff is friendly and Dr. Patel is ... very knowledgeable. She provides various options to help optimize eye wellness. I highly recommend!
- Nov. 22, 2024
I had an exceptional experience with Dr. Patel during my recent eye exam. From the moment I walked i... nto the office, I was impressed with the welcoming atmosphere and the professionalism of the entire team. Dr. Patel takes the time to explain every part of the examination process in detail and I felt very comfortable at the end of my visit. It was her holistic approach that really impressed me. She cares about the entire health of your body and not just your eyes. It was clear that she genuinely cares about her patients' well-being. I highly recommend Dr. Patel to anyone in need of a highly skilled, caring, and thorough optometrist.
- Oct. 07, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness was great! Everyone is super friendly and seemed to genuinely care about my vi... sit.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Really nice place with a good upscale selection of frames. Dr Patel was excellent. Thorough and prof... essional. And Kisha really helped choosing frames and getting us the best price. So glad we chose this optician.
- Aug. 16, 2024
Staff were so kind and informative.
- Jul. 29, 2024
They prioritize taking care of your eyes before trying to sell you glasses. They have a reasonable s... election of eye wear but it is not the first thing that you see when you enter the establishment.
- Jul. 29, 2024
I really enjoyed being a patient of Dr. LaBrosse for the past few years. I wish her all the best in... her new endeavors! I am usually very anxious about trying new doctors. But I decided to try an appointment with Dr. Patel since at least the location would be familiar. I am very glad I did. She is practicing in the same beautiful and clean office. Dr. Patel was very detailed and patient with all my questions. She had studied my medical records left by Dr. LaBrosse so the transition as her new patient was quite seamless. (I did have to complete a new patient intake form. But that was fine.) I was very relieved that she was so kind and easy to talk to. I felt listened to and had as much time as I needed. Dr. Patel gave me knowledgeable answers and some great new ideas, including a different brand/type of contact lens to try. Thanks, Dr. Patel!
- May. 16, 2024
Dr. Patel and the staff were super friendly and helpful. Most importantly, they are competent. Han... dled all questions and issues well. I also appreciated that they don't try to upsell services, unlike my previous eye doctor, who was obsessed with telling me I needed this or that extra diagnostic or treatment. Most importantly, Dr. Patel was the first optometrist I had who advised me that I could get "medically necessary" contact lenses covered by my insurance due to my high prescription. I can't believe my previous optometrist didn't do this. I could have saved thousands of dollars over the past several years.
- Apr. 18, 2024
Shout out to this place and everyone who works here. The new doctor is amazing and the ladies at the... front office are super nice and helpful! Highly recommended!
- Apr. 18, 2024
I have been going to this neighborhood Optometry practice for over 4 years now and I have always lik... ed the service and product choices. I like the previous doctor a lot, and the newest doctor Patel is great as well. Everyone at the store is nice and helpful, and they all appear to enjoy working there. I highly recommend!
- Mar. 28, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness is a vibe
- Mar. 25, 2024
Dr. Patel is amazing and answered all my questions thoroughly!! The staff was very helpful and they ... had a great selection of frames. Will definitely be coming back.
- Mar. 22, 2024
I had a great experience with Dr.Patel. She is kind, understanding and goes out of her way to answer... all my questions. I would highly recommend her and this practice.
- Mar. 20, 2024
They make a darn good first impression - every staff member I spoke with was welcoming and helpful, ... ensuring I understood everything in the paperwork before signing. Dr. Patel put me at ease right away and offered clear explanations of my results.
- Mar. 16, 2024
Came in with my wife to look around as we are new to the area and let me tell you! The energy I rece... ived was so welcoming. I found a handful of frames I love, and the manager, Jessica, sealed the deal. You have to go yourself to experience it. I would highly recommend this place.
- Mar. 16, 2024
I absolutely love the professional service and selection of eyewear. The staff create a fun and frie... ndly atmosphere. I was recommended by a friend and will be calling to schedule my annual exam
- Mar. 15, 2024
Dr Patel is amazing and the staff really took the time to explain my benefits. Crystal was very pati... ent in selecting frames. I will definitely be returning.

View All 164 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Evanston

Our optometry practice in Evanston

Photograph of Himanee Patel
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 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
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Tricare
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Care

Want to see clearly again?

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

(847) 859-6877

Senior woman