Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery in San Diego

Restore clear, vibrant vision with fellowship-trained cataract & refractive surgeon Medi Eslani, MD, FAAO, serving Chula Vista, National City, Escondido, and El Centro.

Understanding Cataracts

Clear, comfortable cataract surgery

One of the most common and successful procedures in medicine, performed by a surgeon who takes the time to get it right for you.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a natural clouding of the eye's lens that develops gradually with age. Vision becomes blurry, dim, or yellowed, often with glare and halos. During surgery, the clouded lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens (an IOL), restoring clarity for the vast majority of patients.

Signs it may be time

Blurry, hazy, or dim vision
Glare and halos, especially at night
Faded or yellowed colors
Frequent changes to your glasses

Advanced Technology Lenses

Choose how you want to see

Your lens choice shapes your vision for life. Dr. Eslani will match the right lens to your eyes and lifestyle.

Your eye works like a camera. A camera can focus on things far away, things across the room, things at arm's length, and things up close. Your eye needs to do all four. We use our eyes at these four distances every day.

  • Zone 1: Far away. Street signs. A golf ball.
  • Zone 2: Across the room. The television. Pictures on the wall.
  • Zone 3: Arm's length. The car dashboard. The stove. A computer screen.
  • Zone 4: Up close. A book. Your phone. The tiny print on a pill bottle.

When you were young, the lens inside your eye changed shape on its own to focus near and far. It worked like a camera that autofocuses by itself. As we get older we lose that ability. That is why most people past fifty need reading glasses, bifocals, or progressive lenses just to get through the day.

Basic Monofocal

This is a dependable lens option and is typically covered by insurance. However, after surgery, you should expect to need glasses for all four zones of vision: distance, intermediate, near, and fine detailed tasks.

Toric

It corrects astigmatism to provide sharper distance vision. This option is mainly designed to improve one zone of vision, usually distance, making you less dependent on glasses for far-away tasks like driving or watching TV.

Extended Depth of Focus

It provides a smooth range of vision from distance to intermediate, which is excellent for driving and using screens. It gives you three useful zones of vision, less dependent on glasses. However, you may still need reading glasses for very small print or in dim lighting.

Multifocal & Trifocal

It provides vision at distance, intermediate, and near, giving you the most freedom from glasses. It is designed to help you function across all four zones of vision, including far distance, computer range, reading range, and closer near tasks, making you much less dependent on glasses.

Transparent about cost. Advanced technology lenses involve an additional out-of-pocket investment beyond what Medicare or insurance covers for standard cataract surgery. We'll review clear pricing and financing options at your consultation.

FAQ

Cataract surgery questions

Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?
Yes. Standard cataract surgery is covered by Medicare and most insurance. Advanced technology lenses involve an additional out-of-pocket cost, which we review transparently.
How long does cataract surgery take?
The procedure itself usually takes about 15 minutes per eye and is performed as an outpatient under local anesthesia. You go home the same day.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. Your eye is numbed and you're kept comfortable throughout. Most patients feel only mild pressure, and recovery is typically quick.
Will I still need glasses afterward?
It depends on your lens choice. Standard lenses usually still require glasses; advanced technology lenses can greatly reduce or eliminate that need.
When can I drive again?
Many patients are cleared to drive within a day or two, once vision meets the legal standard. Dr. Eslani will confirm at your follow-up.

Ready to see clearly again?

Schedule your cataract consultation with Dr. Eslani today.