Laser Cataract Surgery
Serving Sunset Park, Brooklyn | Flushing and Long Island City, Queens
A cataract, a clouding of the eye's natural lens, is one of the most common causes of vision loss in adults over 60. The good news is that it's also one of the most treatable. The board-certified surgeons at NY Partners Ophthalmology perform advanced laser cataract surgery to restore clear, comfortable vision for patients throughout New York City.
What Is a Cataract?
The eye's natural lens sits behind the iris and pupil, focusing light onto the retina to produce sharp, clear images. Over time, proteins within the lens can clump together and cloud its normally transparent surface. This clouding is a cataract. Cataracts develop gradually and, when mild, may cause little more than slightly blurred vision or increased sensitivity to glare. Left untreated, they can progress to the point of significantly impairing daily activities like driving, reading, and recognizing faces.
Cataract Symptoms
Blurred or hazy vision, as if looking through a fogged window
Increased sensitivity to glare, especially from headlights or sunlight
Colors appearing faded or yellowed
Difficulty seeing at night
Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
Double vision in one eye
Halos around lights
Cataract Risk Factors
LASIK is an excellent option for many people, but not everyone is a candidate. Our surgeons perform a thorough pre-operative evaluation before recommending the procedure. Good candidates generally meet the following criteria:
Family history of cataracts
UV exposure: prolonged sun exposure without eye protection
Diabetes
Smoking
Prolonged corticosteroid use
Prior eye injury, surgery, or inflammation
Age: the most significant risk factor; most people develop some degree of cataract by their mid-60s
How Laser Cataract Surgery Works
Traditional cataract surgery has an exceptional safety record, but laser-assisted cataract surgery adds an additional layer of precision. Using a femtosecond laser, the surgeon creates precise incisions in the cornea and the lens capsule, and softens the cataract before removal, all without a blade. The clouded natural lens is then gently removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) tailored to your vision goals.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, typically takes 15–30 minutes per eye, and requires only numbing eye drops, no general anesthesia.
The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis, typically takes 15–30 minutes per eye, and requires only numbing eye drops, no general anesthesia.
Intraocular Lens Options
A key advantage of cataract surgery is the opportunity to address refractive errors at the same time. After removing the clouded lens, your surgeon implants an IOL customized to your vision needs:
Monofocal IOLs: optimized for one distance (usually distance vision); reading glasses may still be needed
Multifocal IOLs: designed to provide clear vision at multiple distances, reducing dependence on glasses
Toric IOLs: correct astigmatism along with cataracts
Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs: provide a continuous range of vision with fewer halos than traditional multifocal lenses
Cataract Surgery Recovery
Most patients notice improved vision within a day or two of surgery. Full recovery typically takes four to six weeks as the eye heals and adjusts. Some light sensitivity, blurriness, and mild discomfort are normal in the early days. Your provider will schedule follow-up visits to monitor healing and ensure your vision is progressing as expected.
Could You Have Cataracts? Take the Self-Test
Not sure whether your symptoms are cataract-related? Our quick cataract self-assessment can help you evaluate your vision and determine whether it may be time to speak with one of our ophthalmologists. It takes just a few minutes and could be the first step toward seeing more clearly.
NY Partners Ophthalmology serves patients in Flushing, Queens; Sunset Park, Brooklyn; and Long Island City. We accept most major insurance plans, and our providers speak Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Cantonese, and Fuzhounese.
Request an AppointmentNY Partners Ophthalmology performs laser-assisted cataract surgery to remove clouded lenses and restore clear vision. Cataract surgery is available at the practice’s Flushing, Brooklyn, and Long Island City, NY locations.
NY Partners Ophthalmology realiza cirugía de cataratas asistida por láser para eliminar el cristalino opaco y restaurar una visión clara. La cirugía de cataratas está disponible en las oficinas de Flushing, Brooklyn y Long Island City.
NY Partners 眼科 提供飛秒雷射輔助白內障手術，以先進技術移除混濁水晶體並植入人工水晶體，幫助患者恢復清晰視力、提升生活品質。白內障手術於法拉盛（Flushing）、Sunset Park（布魯克林）及 Long Island City（LIC）三個院區皆可安排評估與治療。
NY Partners Ophthalmology는 혼탁해진 수정체를 제거하고 선명한 시력을 회복할 수 있도록 레이저 보조 백내장 수술을 시행합니다. 백내장 수술은 플러싱, 브루클린, 롱아일랜드시티 진료소에서 받을 수 있습니다.