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Cataract Care Packages

NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR CATARACT PATIENTS!

Standard Cataract Surgery

Historically, cataract surgery has involved the use of monofocal implants. These are intraocular lenses that often provide good distance vision but require glasses for near vision. Some patients obtain good near vision, but then require glasses for distance. They may need to wear glasses all of the time if they have astigmatism. Only about 6% of patients with monofocal implants can obtain reasonably good vision without glasses of any kind.

Medicare and most insurance companies will pay for about 80% of your cataract surgery and include the monofocal lens in this coverage. Medicare does offer some level of coverage for basic glasses one time after cataract surgery (regardless of the type of implant), but does not pay for the replacement cost of glasses, otherwise, through the years.

picture of eye showing procedure of cataract surgeryView our cataract surgery options

Advanced Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery is now moving into the refractive realm with the advent of the new implant technology. New implants, such as the RESTOR lens provides both distance a correction, as well as near correction. Additionally, we now have ways of correcting astigmatism. This allows us to achieve glasses freedom in many patients. In fact, in the FDA trials, 80% of the patients with the RESTOR lens never wore glasses again. This new technology may require several small procedures following the primary surgery to achieve optional results.

Although Medicare and other insurance will pay for the surgery, they usually do not pay for the RESTOR lens and associated services. There is an out of pocket cost associated with this technology that runs about $1600 per eye. This is offset by the reduced need for glasses in the future.

Additionally, not all surgeons are capable of providing this advanced level of service. Many are not capable of providing the refractive portion. Fortunately, the surgeons of WNC Eye Care Associates have this special training and skill.