Cataract Surgery in St. Louis

Cataract Surgery in St. Louis

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(314) 352-5367

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. Crown Vision Center - Mackenzie will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Woman smiling

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.


How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your St. Louis optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact Crown Vision Center - Mackenzie.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.

Patient Reviews
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224 Reviews
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- Jul. 20, 2024
I had such a great experience at Crown Vision in Shrewsbury. First time here and excellent staff an... d doctor. Lauren is an amazing person and she went above & beyond helping me find the perfect size frame for my small face. I love my new glasses! I highly recommend Crown Vision on Watson.
- Jun. 30, 2024
Excellent.
- May. 29, 2024
The office was friendly and clean. They treated my eye health issue with care and empathy. I highly ... recommend this office and team. I can finally see out of my right eye after treatment and appreciate that these services are available.
- May. 13, 2024
This center has been so quick and so pleasant compared to anywhere I’ve been! I will definitely co... ntinue coming here!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Great Dr. and staff. I told them exactly what I needed and they were super helpful. I bought the fir... st pair they showed me 😁
- Feb. 19, 2024
Great service with friendly staff and quality products.
- Feb. 19, 2024
They went above and beyond to help me. I am vey thankful for their help and kindness!
- Jan. 26, 2024
Marsha and Lauren were so unbelievably helpful today! I've been a patient at this location for about... 5 years and hands down. This is the best service I've ever received! The optometrist is great, friendly, and quite approachable with questions and concerns. There is another lady whose brusque manner doesn't vibe with mine, and magically, she wasn't here today! I was able to get my exam, have a great selection of frames picked out for me, and be out the door in under 30 minutes. I can't wait to pick up my new frames! Thanks again Marsha and Lauren!
- Jan. 14, 2024
Very pleasant experience.
- Dec. 25, 2023
Dr. Alexa Kojima and her staff at Crown Vision were amazing from the moment we stepped into her busi... ness until we clarified our orders for our updated prescriptions. I had been searching for another OD since my previous one's company started over billing, incorrectly billing for covered procedures, and not being able to correct them with assistance from my insurance. It was frustrating to say the least. Dr. Kojima and Crown Vision has been a blessing. She acknowledged my distance vision improved and no longer required for driving...I stopped using my glasses due to fuzziness. The blurring vision was due to better eyesight and not decreased vision! Woohoo! My husband was checked for his cataract progress and was assured they were minor and would not require surgery any time in the near future...hereditary condition at a younger age runs in his family. He updated his readers and I updated my readers and contacts. No more dry eye and discomfort with wearing them! She listened to my concerns and found a brand version that allowed continuous moisture/breathing instead of having to use eye drops throughout the day. Thorough testing and knowledgeable staff makes Crown Vision and Dr. Alexa Karina our "go-to" OD from now onward!
- Dec. 08, 2023
Very helpful and didn't have to wait, took time to help with everything and explain everything to me... , awesome.
- Nov. 07, 2023
The service was smooth sailing. This is an organized business. They were professional and honest.
- Aug. 05, 2023
Staff were very friendly, supportive and helpful. Staff took time to answer questions and help me pi... ck out my first pair of glasses! Enjoyed my experience here and would recommend!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Outstanding experience! Everyone was very nice and wonderful to interact with. No upselling and pric... es are very reasonable. Thank you!
- Jun. 12, 2023
My first contact was with Sunny - and lives up to her name. What a ray of sunshine! Dr. Alexa was g... reat too. Best eyewear I've ever had. Love my glasses but most of all, love my Crown store! Sunny & Alexa are the Best!
- May. 06, 2023
The staff were very nice and helpful. They made sure I was happy with my glasses 🤓.
- Jan. 02, 2023
Everyone is so nice!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Everyone was so nice and welcoming. Dr. Kajima was kind and answered all of my questions. I wasn’t... pressured to buy glasses there either. I would recommend this place to anyone!
- Dec. 15, 2022
Been going here for a few years. Definitely recommend. Doctor is friendly and upbeat, staff is alway... s professional and friendly. Can't ask for more.
- Oct. 20, 2022
Staff was great. Extremely helpful and very friendly and informative. My glasses were ready for pick... up only 2 days after my exam. Definitely recommend!!!!!

View All 224 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in St. Louis

Our optometry practice in St. Louis

Photograph of Alexa  Kojima
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

(314) 352-5367

Senior woman