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Cataract Surgery Clinic

Request an Appointment
For Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences related requests:
1-319-356-2852
For all other requests:
1-800-777-8442
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The clinic evaluates and treats patients with all types of cataracts:

  • Age-related cataracts: Related to aging
  • Congenital cataracts: Some babies are born with cataracts or develop them during childhood, often in both eyes. Some congenital cataracts do not affect vision, but others do and need to be removed
  • Secondary cataracts: Develop primarily as a result of another disease (e.g., diabetes) or some drugs such as steroids.
  • Traumatic cataracts: Eye(s) that have sustained an injury may develop a traumatic cataract either immediately following the incident or several years later

Treatments and Services:

  • Cataract Surgery
    • Extracapsular Cataract Surgery (“ECCE”)
    • Phacoemulsification (“Phaco”)
  • Measurement, evaluation, selection, and implantation of intraocular lenses (IOL)

Cataract surgery is the only way to remove a cataract. However, it is not always a necessity. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first. When cataracts cause enough loss of vision to interfere with daily activities, it is time to consider cataract surgery. Cataract surgery successfully restores vision in the majority of people who have the procedure.

In cataract surgery, the lens is removed from the eye. In most cases, the lens that is removed will be replaced with a permanent intraocular lens (IOL). When both eyes have cataracts, the worse eye is usually operated on first; removing cataracts from both eyes at the same time is not done.

Eye length and other measurements taken prior to surgery help the surgeon select an IOL to correct for nearsightedness or farsightedness after surgery. When cataracts are removed from infants, an IOL is not used because the eye continues to grow during infancy. In these cases, contact lenses are often used.

Cataract surgery is performed under a microscope. In the majority of cases, a tiny incision is made, an ultrasound probe is inserted to break up the lens, and the fragments are vacuumed away, generally, sutures (stitches) are not necessary. This procedure is called phacoemulsification or “phaco.” Less frequently, it may be necessary to use a procedure called extracapsular cataract extraction or “ECCE”. In ECCE, surgical tools accompanied by suctioning tools are used to remove the cloudy portion of the lens. The very back of the lens is left in place to serve as a resting place for the artificial lens. Since the incision for ECCE is larger, sutures are used to close the incision after surgery.

Sidebar content
  • Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
    • Cataract Surgery Clinic
    • Contact Lens Clinic
    • Cornea and External Eye Disease Clinic
    • Eyewear (UI Optical)
      • UI Optical Measurement Services
    • Eye Cancer
    • Eye Care Clinic
    • Eye Pathology
    • Glaucoma Clinic
    • Inherited Eye Diseases Clinic
    • Laser Vision Correction and Refractive Surgery Clinic
      • Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL)
    • Neuro-Ophthalmology Clinic
    • Ocular Prosthetics Service
    • Oculoplastics, Orbit, and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic
    • Ophthalmology Referrals
    • Retina and Vitreous Clinic
    • Strabismus (Misaligned Eye) Clinic
    • Uveitis Clinic
    • Vision Rehabilitation Clinic

Our Care Team

Ryan Diel, MD portrait

Ryan
Diel
MD

  • Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
4.84 out of 5 (560 ratings)
Jaclyn Haugsdal, MD portrait

Jaclyn
Haugsdal
MD

  • Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
4.76 out of 5 (1,831 ratings)
TO

Thomas A.
Oetting
MD, MS

  • Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
4.82 out of 5 (2,790 ratings)

Not sure which Cataract Surgery Clinic provider is right for you?

When you call 1-319-356-2852 we'll help you find a provider who meets your needs.
Call 1-319-356-2852

Locations and Offices

Eye Clinic
11200 Pomerantz Family Pavilion (PFP)
Level 1, Elevator L
1-319-356-2852
Clinic
Interior image of the Eye Clinic at UI Hospitals & Clinics
In Medical Center University
200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242
Iowa River Landing - Floor 2
Second Floor
1-319-467-2000
Clinic
Lobby photo of the second floor of Iowa River Landing
In Iowa River Landing
105 East 9th Street, Coralville, IA 52241

Related Health Topics


Aging eyes and cataracts
July 2, 2016
A cataract is a clouding of a clear lens within the eye that blocks the passage of light needed for vision. Cataracts form slowly and cause no pain. S...
Viewing the world through a cloud: Cataracts
July 2, 2016
Many people have heard of cataracts, but few know what it is, what causes it, and what they should do if they think they are experiencing the symptoms...
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