We’re the Leaders of Advanced Cataract Surgery
If you’re looking for a team in Florida with established results, the latest technology, and an unrivaled reputation for safety and precision, choose the team at Lake Eye Associates.
Our surgeons have performed over 40,000 combined cataract procedures during their careers and love restoring the clarity and quality you need to enjoy your vision. If cataracts are clouding your vision, speak to a cataract specialist today to see how we can help.
Our experienced cataract surgeons include Scott R. Wehrly, MD, Scot C. Holman, MD, and Vinay Gutti, MD, each specializing in advanced cataract surgery and lens replacement.
Lake Eye Associates serves patients across Central Florida through five clinic locations in Wildwood, The Villages, Lady Lake, Tavares, and Leesburg. Cataract surgeries are performed at our Santa Fe Surgery Center in The Villages, FL.
What Are Cataracts?
Cataracts are a common age-related condition that affects a part of your eye known as the crystalline lens. The crystalline lens changes shape depending on how far you are seeing, helping you achieve clear vision at various distances.
As you get older, proteins in your eye’s lens can break down, causing discoloration. Eventually, cataracts can affect the quality of your sight. Serious cases can cause blindness, but cataract eye surgery can help restore your vision.
Your risk of developing a cataract can also increase if you smoke, have diabetes, or have experienced an eye injury.
What Is Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is one of the most recent and advanced cataract treatments today, making Florida a preferred destination for patients seeking cataract eye surgery with trusted results. Using a device that combines computer-assisted analysis, measurement, and laser technologies, our team of surgeons can remove cataracts with safety, comfort, and precision.
After removing cataracts, our team implants an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) in place of your natural lens to help you achieve clear sight. The entire process from beginning to end can take as little as 10 minutes to complete.
How Laser Cataract Surgery Works
Laser-assisted cataract surgery uses a femtosecond laser to perform certain steps of the procedure with computer-guided precision. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), the procedure typically involves:
- Eye mapping: Detailed imaging measures the eye and helps the surgeon plan the procedure.
- Laser-assisted incisions: The laser creates precise openings in the cornea and lens capsule, as appropriate.
- Cataract fragmentation: The laser helps soften and break up the cloudy natural lens.
- Lens removal: The surgeon removes the fragmented cataract, usually using ultrasound technology.
- Artificial lens implantation: An intraocular lens replaces the cloudy natural lens to restore clearer vision.
Although laser technology can improve precision during certain surgical steps, both laser-assisted and traditional cataract surgery are considered safe and effective options. The best approach depends on your eye health and treatment goals.
The Difference Between CLE Surgery & Cataract Surgery
If you’re interested in cataract surgery, you may have heard of Clear Lens Enhancement (CLE).
CLE surgery is quite similar to traditional cataract surgery, where an ophthalmologist manually removes your eye’s crystalline lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). The main difference is that your surgeon removes a cataract lens during cataract surgery, while RLE replaces a lens not affected by cataracts.
CLE surgery may be recommended to help treat presbyopia, a condition that affects your lens’ ability to focus light on your retina correctly.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Laser Cataract Surgery?
Laser cataract surgery may be suitable for patients whose cataracts interfere with everyday activities, including reading, driving, or watching television. It may also benefit selected patients seeking precise astigmatism correction or planning to receive advanced intraocular lenses.
You may be a good candidate if:
- Cataracts are causing blurry vision, glare, or difficulty with daily activities.
- Your eye health allows for safe cataract removal and lens implantation.
- You have astigmatism that may benefit from additional correction.
- You are considering premium lens options to reduce dependence on glasses.
- Your cataract surgeon determines that laser-assisted techniques are appropriate for your eyes.
Patients with certain corneal conditions, advanced eye diseases, or anatomical limitations may require a different surgical approach. A comprehensive eye examination helps determine whether laser cataract surgery or traditional cataract surgery is the better option.
Which Lens Is Right for Me?
Before you can have laser cataract surgery, it’s important for our team to determine if the surgery is right for you. During a consultation appointment, we’ll examine your eye health and tailor your treatment to best suit your vision. Because laser cataract surgery will remove your natural lens, we’ll implant an intraocular lens (IOL) to help you achieve the clearest vision possible. We offer several IOLs from leading manufacturers and designers, each one designed to address specific vision problems.
Choosing the right lens depends on your eye health, lifestyle, visual priorities, and how often you want to wear glasses. Some lenses focus on clear distance vision, while others help improve vision at multiple distances or correct astigmatism.
- Accommodating Lenses: Accommodating lenses work with your eye muscles to help correct symptoms related to presbyopia as well as improve your mid to far-distance vision.
- Multifocal Lenses: Multifocal lenses use multiple prescriptions to help you see clearly at various ranges. By splitting light at different points in the lens, you’ll achieve clear vision whether you’re reading a book or watching a theater screen.
- Monofocal Lenses: Monofocal lenses correct vision problems at a single distance. For example, you may elect to use a monofocal lens to help you see at a distance while using glasses to help you see up close.
- Extended Range Lenses: Extended range lenses can provide clear, crisp, continuous sight at multiple distances.
- Toric Lenses: We may recommend toric lenses if you have astigmatism. Its unique shape and design can also improve your sight if you have either nearsightedness or farsightedness.
- Compare Your Cataract Lens Options: The following comparison can help you understand which intraocular lens may best suit your vision needs.
| Lens type | Best for | Glasses dependence |
| Accommodating | Patients seeking improved distance and intermediate vision | Reading glasses may still be needed |
| Multifocal | Patients wanting vision correction at multiple distances | May reduce dependence on glasses; some tasks may still require them |
| Monofocal | Patients prioritizing clear vision at one selected distance | Glasses typically needed for other distances |
| Extended Range (EDOF) | Patients seeking continuous distance and intermediate vision | Reading glasses may be needed for small print |
| Toric | Patients with astigmatism requiring correction | Depends on the type of toric lens selected |
| Light Adjustable Lens | Patients seeking prescription customization after surgery | May reduce glasses dependence, but results vary |
Your surgeon will recommend a suitable lens after evaluating your eye measurements, astigmatism, overall eye health, and vision goals. No lens guarantees complete freedom from glasses.
RxSight™ Light Adjustable Lens

Lake Eye Associates now offers the Light Adjustable Lens, a new addition to our premium lens technology. The Light Adjustable Lens allows your surgeon to continue customizing your vision after your cataract surgery, allowing your eyes time to heal and adjust before locking in your personal best vision. This post-surgical adjustment is performed in the office through a series of brief, painless light treatment procedures. Typically reserved for patients who have had previous laser or corneal surgery, this technology is available in select markets. Ask your surgeon if the Light Adjustable Lens is right for you.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this technology for eligible cataract patients, allowing vision to be refined through controlled light treatments after surgery
Why choose the Light Adjustable Lens?
With the Light Adjustable Lens, you will have the unique opportunity to adjust and preview your vision until it meets your personal desires and lifestyle requirements. This optimization is done by your eye doctor after lens implantation through a series of light treatment procedures that take only a few minutes each session.
Who can Benefit from the Light Adjustable Lens?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the Light Adjustable Lens and Light Delivery Device for patients with preexisting astigmatism of 0.75 diopters or more who are undergoing cataract surgery.
What to Expect After Surgery
In the weeks following your surgery, you and your doctor will work together to optimize your vision using UV light treatments. During this period, you will need to wear UV-blocking glasses provided to you by your doctor. These glasses will protect your eyes from exposure to all other sources of indoor and outdoor UV light, which can cause uncontrolled changes to the Light Adjustable Lens.
The UV protective glasses must be worn during all waking hours, from the time of lens implantation until 24 hours after your last light treatment is completed. At that point, no further changes can be made to the implanted Light Adjustable Lens, and you can remove the UV protective glasses and enjoy your custom vision!
Treating Cataracts & Glaucoma
Lake Eye Associates is proud to offer treatments that address issues related to both glaucoma and cataracts.
Please visit our Glaucoma page to learn more about how this disease can develop and affect your eyesight. If you want to see how these treatments can help preserve your vision, please book an appointment with our team today.
iStent Inject
The iStent Inject can help manage intraocular pressure levels, preserving your vision from glaucoma.
The iStent is implanted during cataract surgery, where it will help keep your eye’s natural drainage system open. By allowing fluids to flow more freely through your eye, the iStent can manage the risk of permanent symptoms related to open-angle glaucoma.
Hydrus Microstent
The Hydrus Microstent is another glaucoma treatment our team can apply during your cataract surgery.
During the surgery, our surgeon places the Hydrus Microstent in a part of your eye’s drainage system called Schlemm’s canal. By opening up the Schlemm’s canal across 90 degrees, fluids can reach your drainage system and reduce pressure in your eyes.
Recovery: What to Expect
Recovery after laser cataract surgery is generally similar to recovery after traditional cataract surgery. Many patients notice improvements in their vision within the first few days, although complete healing takes longer.
During recovery, you may experience:
- First 24–48 hours: Mild blurry vision, light sensitivity, or temporary eye discomfort.
- First week: Gradual improvement in vision as the eye heals. Many patients can resume light daily activities with their surgeon’s approval.
- Following weeks: Continued stabilization of vision and scheduled follow-up examinations.
- Up to three months: Complete healing and visual stabilization may take this long for some patients.
Follow your surgeon’s instructions for prescribed eye drops, avoid rubbing your eyes, and attend all follow-up appointments. Ask your surgeon when it is safe to drive, exercise, swim, or return to other activities.
The AAO’s cataract surgery guidance explains additional recovery precautions and symptoms to monitor.
American Academy of Ophthalmology+
Risks and Safety
Laser cataract surgery is generally considered safe, but like any surgical procedure, it carries potential risks. These may include infection, inflammation, corneal swelling, increased eye pressure, retinal complications, or persistent vision changes. Serious complications are uncommon but can affect eyesight.
Although laser-assisted technology offers precise imaging and incisions, clinical studies have not consistently demonstrated better overall visual outcomes or fewer complications compared with traditional cataract surgery.
At Lake Eye Associates, your surgeon will review your medical history, examine your eye health, and explain the potential benefits and risks before recommending treatment. Contact your surgeon immediately if you experience severe pain, sudden vision loss, or worsening symptoms after surgery.
Make Life Clear Again
Many people just like you are seeking the help they need to see clearly again. Find out how our team can help treat your cataracts by contacting us today to book your appointment.
Visit one of our five Central Florida eye care clinics in Wildwood, The Villages, Lady Lake, Tavares, or Leesburg for a cataract consultation. All surgical procedures are performed at our Santa Fe Surgery Center at 8564 East CR 466, The Villages, FL 32162.
Schedule your consultation today to explore your cataract surgery and lens replacement options.
FAQ
What should I know before choosing laser cataract surgery with light-adjustable lenses?
Before choosing Laser cataract surgery with Light Adjustable Lenses, understand that this advanced option offers precise customization of your vision even after healing. It’s ideal for patients wanting reduced dependence on glasses. Your surgeon will evaluate your overall eye health to ensure the best outcome.
How is laser cataract removal different from traditional cataract surgery?
Unlike traditional techniques, Laser cataract surgery uses image-guided lasers to create precise incisions and soften the lens for smoother removal. This enhances accuracy and may be safer for patients. The result is a more predictable visual outcome and reduced surgical trauma.
Will advanced cataract surgery reduce my need for glasses?
Yes. Advanced options like Laser cataract surgery paired with premium lenses—including Light Adjustable Lenses—can significantly reduce the need for glasses. These technologies fine-tune vision after healing while supporting long-term cornea care. Patients enjoy improved clarity, depending on their eye health.
How safe is laser cataract surgery?
Laser cataract surgery is considered highly safe, offering enhanced precision and reduced surgical stress on the eye. With an experienced surgeon, risks remain low, and outcomes are consistently reliable and predictable.
What is the recovery time after laser cataract surgery?
Recovery after Laser cataract surgery is generally quick—many patients notice clearer vision within 24–48 hours. Most resume normal activities in a few days, following prescribed instructions. Some patients may require closer monitoring, but overall healing remains smooth and predictable with proper follow-up.
How do light-adjustable lenses work?
Light Adjustable Lenses allow your vision to be fine-tuned after Laser cataract surgery. Once the eye heals, controlled UV-light treatments reshape the lens to match your ideal prescription. This approach enhances precision and can benefit the patients.
Can vision changes be adjusted after advanced cataract surgery?
Yes. With Light Adjustable Lenses used during Laser cataract surgery, your surgeon can refine your vision after healing using specialized UV-light adjustments. This ensures sharper and personalized results. The patients may experience excellent flexibility and clarity.
Does Medicare cover laser cataract surgery, and how much will I pay out of pocket?
Medicare Part B generally covers medically necessary cataract surgery with a conventional intraocular lens, including laser-assisted cataract removal when appropriate. After meeting the deductible, patients typically pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount for covered services, unless supplemental insurance changes their responsibility. Premium lenses and elective astigmatism correction may involve additional out-of-pocket costs. Medicare does not permit an additional charge solely for using the laser to perform otherwise covered cataract removal. Review Medicare’s cataract surgery coverage and ask our team for an individualized cost estimate.
Is laser cataract surgery worth the extra cost compared to traditional cataract surgery?
Laser cataract surgery may offer advantages for selected patients, particularly when precise astigmatism correction or advanced lens positioning is important. However, traditional cataract surgery provides similarly effective outcomes for many patients. Any additional cost should be considered alongside your eye health, visual goals, and the specific services included in your treatment plan.
Who is not a good candidate for laser cataract surgery?
Patients with certain corneal abnormalities, advanced eye diseases, or eye anatomy that makes laser treatment difficult may not be suitable candidates. Your ophthalmologist will examine your eyes and determine whether traditional or laser-assisted surgery is the safer and more appropriate choice.
How long does laser cataract surgery take, and when will I see clearly again?
The surgical procedure itself often takes approximately 10–20 minutes per eye, although your overall appointment will take longer for preparation and recovery monitoring. Many patients notice clearer vision within a few days, while others require several weeks for their vision to stabilize.
What are the disadvantages or risks of laser cataract surgery?
Potential disadvantages include added costs for elective vision-correction services and the fact that laser assistance does not guarantee better results than traditional cataract surgery. Risks include infection, inflammation, swelling, increased eye pressure, or retinal complications. Your surgeon will discuss these risks based on your individual eye health.
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