There are a number of precautions you can take to prevent or postpone the development of cataracts. Talk to your primary care doctor and ophthalmologist at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center. But once you start experiencing the cloudy vision that comes with cataracts, the only sure way to restore your vision is with cataract surgery. It’s safe and effective at this Queens, NY multi-disciplinary practice, so call today and find out how cataract surgery can improve your life.Cataract surgery is a procedure done to remove a clouded lens from your eye. When the normally clear lens of an eye becomes cloudy, it’s called a cataract. If you have a cataract, you may feel like you’re looking through a dusty windshield all the time. You may even have difficulty with normal day-to-day activities, such as driving or reading.
If a cataract is disrupting your vision, cataract surgery gives you a new beginning for your sight. Your ophthalmologist at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens, New York has the expertise to diagnose and treat cataracts. No matter what visual disturbances you may have, you benefit by visiting a medical practice with many specialties under one roof.
Can You Prevent Cataracts?
Taking a proactive approach to your overall health may delay or even prevent the development of cataracts and other disorders affecting your vision. Some actions you can take to protect your eye health include:
• Protecting your eyes from sunlight. Wear sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet rays. Hats with wide brims also give you an added layer of protection from harmful UV rays.
• Quitting smoking. Smoking interrupts circulation, vital to your eye health as well as your overall well-being. Your Medex doctor provides strategies to quit.
• Eating a healthy diet. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables — and not only carrots — while choosing other nutrient-dense foods keeps you as healthy as possible. That includes your eye health.
• Taking vitamin supplements. Vitamins A, C and E, as well as beta-carotene, deliver optimal eye health. Talk to your doctor about taking supplements when you don’t get sufficient amounts of these vital nutrients in your diet.
• Limiting alcohol use. Excessive drinking raises the risk of developing cataracts. Even one drink a day increases your risk by about 10 percent.
Manage any medical conditions you have, such as diabetes. Regular eye exams by your ophthalmologist identifies cataracts early, which delays your need for surgery. Checkups also catch any other problems you may have with eye health.
The Causes and Symptoms of Cataracts
Cataracts are common as you get older. Around the age of 40, the proteins in the lens of your eyes start to break down, causing a cloudy area on your lens. Cataracts aren’t always caused by aging, though. They may also be caused by medical conditions, inherited genetic disorders, past eye surgery or other eye disorders.
A cataract can develop in one eye or both eyes. The condition usually develops gradually. Symptoms you may notice include:
- Clouded vision
- Difficulty with night vision
- Frequent changes to your prescription for eyeglasses
- Colors that look faded
The symptoms of cataracts sometimes are caused by other eye conditions, so visit your ophthalmologist at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center in Queens. Make an appointment for a checkup if you experience any of these symptoms.
Preparing for Cataract Surgery
Consider cataract surgery if you have a cataract that’s making daily activities more difficult. Your eye doctor may also recommend cataract surgery if you have other eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy or age-related macular degeneration.
Before your surgery date, your ophthalmologist determines the right type of replacement lens to insert during surgery. You may need to use antibiotic drops for a few days before the surgery. Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure that usually takes an hour or less. You won’t be able to drive after surgery, so ask someone to accompany you.
What to Expect from Cataract Surgery
If you have cataracts in both eyes, you only have surgery for one at a time. The procedures are usually scheduled about four weeks apart. On the day of surgery, your eye is numbed with eyedrops and local anesthetics. You’re given a sedative to help you relax, so you may remain awake, but feel groggy.
Your surgeon creates tiny incisions near the edge of the cornea. The goal here is to break up the lens that has a cataract so it can be removed and replaced with a new lens. You’re ready to go home after a short stay in the recovery room. You may need to use eyedrops and a shield over your eye at first, but your vision improves in a few days.
Expert Eye Care in Queens
When you’re under the care of an expert eye surgeon, cataract surgery almost always successfully restores your vision. You may need an updated prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses. The best ophthalmologists work at the Medex Diagnostic and Treatment Center. Contact this multi-specialty practice. You get more than an eye doctor; you get access to medical professionals in other fields that affect your eye health — such as primary care, cardiology and endocrinology.
We can help you find a doctor. Call (718) 275-8900
Licensed by the state of New York, Medex is an Article 28 diagnostic and treatment center. Our physicians provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages in the Forest Hills, Queens area, for over 15 years. Start receiving expert care now by calling or scheduling an appointment online with one of the skilled specialists.
Cataract Surgery in Queens, NY: Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a cataract?
A cataract is the clouding of your eye’s natural lens that causes blurry, hazy, or glare‑filled vision. It’s usually age‑related but can follow diabetes, trauma, medications, or prior eye surgery.
2. When do I need cataract surgery?
You need surgery when cataracts interfere with daily life—driving (especially at night), reading, computer work, or seeing faces—even if your glasses prescription is up‑to‑date. Your Queens eye surgeon helps decide timing based on vision tests and lifestyle needs.
3. What happens during cataract surgery?
Your cloudy natural lens is gently broken up (phacoemulsification), removed, and replaced with a clear artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure is usually outpatient, takes about 10–20 minutes per eye, and uses numbing drops plus light sedation.
4. Do you offer laser‑assisted cataract surgery in Queens, NY?
Yes—select patients may benefit from femtosecond laser assistance for corneal incisions, lens fragmentation, and astigmatism management. Your Medex eye surgeon will review whether laser or conventional ultrasound phaco is best for you.
5. What types of lens implants (IOLs) can I choose?
Options include monofocal (distance or near focus), toric (astigmatism‑correcting), multifocal / extended depth of focus (range of vision, less dependence on glasses), and accommodative lenses. We match IOL choice to your hobbies, night driving needs, and budget.
6. Can cataract surgery reduce my need for glasses?
Often, yes. A precisely selected IOL can target distance vision, near vision, blended “monovision,” or broader ranges with premium multifocal or EDOF lenses. Some patients may still need readers or low‑power glasses for certain tasks.
7. Can you correct astigmatism during cataract surgery?
Yes. Toric IOLs, limbal relaxing incisions, or laser‑assisted astigmatic corrections can reduce or correct corneal astigmatism so post‑op vision is clearer without thick glasses.
8. Is cataract surgery safe?
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful surgeries worldwide. Serious complications are rare, and most patients see better within days. Choosing an experienced Queens cataract surgeon and following post‑op instructions lowers risk further.
9. Will insurance or Medicare cover cataract surgery at Medex?
Medicare and most major insurers cover medically necessary cataract surgery with a standard monofocal IOL. Premium IOL upgrades or laser assistance may involve out‑of‑pocket costs. We verify benefits and explain any fees in advance.
10. How should I prepare for cataract surgery?
You’ll have a pre‑op eye exam, measurements for IOL power, medical clearance if needed, and eye drop instructions. Don’t eat or drink after the cut‑off time given by the surgical center. Arrange a driver for surgery day.
11. What is recovery like after cataract surgery?
Most people notice clearer vision within 24–48 hours, though full stabilization may take a few weeks. Use prescribed drops, avoid eye rubbing, wear a protective shield at night, and limit heavy lifting until cleared.
12. When can I drive after cataract surgery?
Many patients are cleared to drive once vision meets legal standards—sometimes within a day or two—in the non‑operated eye or once the operated eye clears. Always wait for your surgeon’s specific approval.
13. When will I have cataract surgery on my second eye?
If both eyes need surgery, the second eye is typically done days to a few weeks after the first, once vision and healing are reviewed. Timing is individualized.
14. What if I have glaucoma—can it be treated during cataract surgery?
Yes. In some cases, cataract surgery is combined with micro‑invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) to help lower eye pressure. Your Medex ophthalmologist will assess candidacy.
15. Is cataract surgery safe for people with diabetes or other medical problems?
Usually, yes—with careful planning. We monitor diabetic retinopathy, swelling risk, and blood sugar coordination with your primary and endocrine doctors. Good control improves healing.
16. What are the risks or possible complications?
Though uncommon, risks include infection, inflammation, swelling (macular edema), elevated eye pressure, retinal detachment, lens displacement, or need for additional treatment. Prompt follow‑up helps catch and treat issues early.
17. What is a “secondary cataract” and what is YAG laser capsulotomy?
Months or years after surgery, the membrane behind the IOL can cloud (posterior capsular opacification). A quick, painless in‑office YAG laser procedure opens the membrane and restores clarity.
18. Do you offer dropless or reduced‑drop cataract surgery protocols?
Ask us. Some patients qualify for long‑acting medication injections at the time of surgery that reduce the need for multiple post‑op drops. Availability depends on candidacy and insurance coverage.
19. Are you accepting new cataract patients in Queens, NY?
Yes. Medex Diagnostic & Treatment Center welcomes new cataract evaluations. Rapid appointments and coordinated testing make it easy to plan surgery.
20. What areas of Queens do you serve?
Patients come from Forest Hills, Rego Park, Flushing, Astoria, Jackson Heights, Jamaica, Elmhurst, and across NYC. If you’re searching “cataract surgeon near me” or “Cataract Surgery in Queens, NY,” we’re easy to reach by transit or car.
21. How do I schedule a cataract evaluation at Medex?
Call the number on this page or request an appointment online. Bring your glasses prescription, medication list, and insurance card. Early evaluation helps protect sight—book today.
