Request an Appointment

Cataracts

What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, and for most people it’s simply an inevitable part of aging, the lens continues to thicken throughout life, and that clouding can begin years before it affects your vision. The most common form, nuclear sclerosis, develops gradually with age, while posterior subcapsular cataracts can appear earlier and progress faster. Either way, once clouding advances, light scatters instead of focusing clearly, and vision changes follow.

Signs and Symptoms of Cataracts

Early cataracts often show up as increased glare or halos around headlights at night and difficulty reading in less-than-ideal lighting. As they progress, you may notice colors looking faded or yellowed, overall blurriness, or your glasses prescription changing more frequently than usual. These changes are typically gradual, which is why many patients don’t realize how much their vision has shifted until it’s assessed during a comprehensive exam.

(406) 535-2020
Request an Appointment

Cataract Surgery: What to Expect

When a cataract affects your daily life, surgery is a safe, well-established solution. Through a small corneal incision, your surgeon gently removes the clouded lens while preserving its natural capsule, then places an artificial lens implant to restore clear focus. Cataract surgery is performed monthly at the local hospital, so most Lewistown-area patients avoid long-distance travel, and each eye is treated on a separate day. Recovery is typically short, with most patients resuming normal activities quickly.

Multifocal Lens Implants: Less Reliance on Reading Glasses

Cataract surgery is also an opportunity to reduce your dependence on glasses going forward. Multifocal lens implants can correct both distance and near vision at once, giving many patients clear sight across a range of distances without needing reading glasses for everyday tasks. Whether a standard or multifocal lens implant is the better fit depends on your eyes, your lifestyle, and your visual goals, something we discuss in detail during your pre-surgical evaluation. Ask about lens implant options (406) 535-2020 at your consultation.

Local Co-Management: Care Before and After Surgery

You don’t have to navigate cataract surgery alone or far from home. Our team handles your pre-operative evaluation and candidacy assessment, then manages your recovery with a proven follow-up schedule, checkups at one day, one week, one month, and six months after surgery, working closely with your surgeon throughout. For patients across Fergus County, that means expert surgical outcomes paired with the local, attentive care you already know.

Frequently Asked Questions

What causes cataracts?

Cataracts are primarily caused by the natural aging process, as the lens inside the eye gradually thickens and clouds over time. Some cataracts, like posterior subcapsular cataracts, can develop earlier and progress more quickly.

Common early symptoms include glare or halos around lights at night, difficulty reading in dim lighting, and colors that appear duller than usual. A comprehensive eye exam can confirm whether a cataract is developing.

Cataract surgery is generally quick and well-tolerated, with most patients experiencing minimal discomfort. Recovery time is typically short, and each eye is treated separately to allow proper healing between procedures.

It depends on the lens implant you choose. A multifocal lens implant can reduce or eliminate the need for reading glasses, while a standard lens implant may still require glasses for certain tasks — we’ll help you decide what’s right for you.

Often, no. Cataract surgery is performed monthly at the local hospital, and our team manages the majority of your pre- and post-operative visits right here in Lewistown.