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Cataract in eye

Cataract Surgery

Cataracts cloud over the natural lens of your eye, making it hard for you to read, drive, walk, or clearly see your loved ones.

Cataract surgery can safely remove cloudy eye tissue, improving your vision to bring what you love about life back into focus.

Here's why choosing the expert eye doctors at Pearl Street Eye of Boulder, CO, for your cataract surgery is the crystal clear choice.

Meet the Esteemed Doctors Meet the Esteemed Doctors

Stanley Cushing, MD

Dr. Cushing is an extensively trained board-certified optometrist who has been treating patients for over 40 years.

Dr. Justin Coco

Justin Coco, MD

Dr. Coco is a board-certified ophthalmologist who focuses on cataract and refractive surgeries. He has been practicing for over a decade.

Are Cataracts Common? The Simple Answer Is Yes.

Cataracts affect millions of people around the globe. In fact, according to the National Eye Institute more than 20 million people over the age of 40 in the United States alone experience some vision impairment due to cataracts. 

Luckily, technological advances over the past few decades have made cataract surgery extremely accessible. According to studies done by iData Research, over three million procedures were performed in the United States in 2017 alone.

The extensively-trained ophthalmology professionals at Pearl Street Eye in Boulder, CO, have performed thousands of successful cataract treatments in the course of their distinguished careers.

What Can Cataract Surgery Improve?

Surgery to remove and replace cataract tissue with a clear intraocular lens (IOL) can decrease or potentially eliminate the negative effects of cataracts, including:

  • Impaired night driving
  • Inability to see bright colors
  • Trouble reading
  • Frequent tripping and falling
  • Reliance on contacts or eyeglasses
  • Difficulty performing everyday tasks 

What Are the Symptoms of Cataracts? 

Most age-related cataracts developed slowly over the course of years, so the symptoms may be hard to notice until the condition significantly affects your vision. Some of these symptoms can include: 

Cloudy, dim vision

Double vision 

Seeing dulled colors

Glare from bright lights 

Frequent prescription changes 

Cataracts and their symptoms can develop at different rates for each patient. For example, some younger or diabetic patients may experience a much faster development of cataracts. Detecting cataracts and their symptoms earlier in their development can improve your eye care options.

"I HIGHLY recommend everyone
go to Pearl Street Eye"
Reviews of Our Ophthalmology and Optometry Professionals

1

Libby Reynolds

2020

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I decided to give Pearl Street Eye a chance after I found out Dr. Tripp retired and sold his practice. And boy am I glad I did. The new staff/doctors are extremely nice, knowledgeable and thorough. I HIGHLY recommend everyone go to Pearl Street Eye. 

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1

Charlie G

2020

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I am so glad to hear that Pearl Street Eye has re-opened UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP.  Dr. Cushing was my doctor and he was absolutely incredible.  He really sweet and took his time during his exam. I will be referring everyone I know to Pearl Street Eye.

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Choose Pearl Street Eye
for Cataract Surgery
Performed by a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist

We offer top-quality, comprehensive optometry and ophthalmology services from cataract surgery and general exams to glaucoma treatment and LASIK procedures. You'll be well taken care of in our relaxing, state-of-the-art office in Boulder thanks to our skilled vision professionals, cutting-edge technology, and warm, caring staff.

Our goal is to make you and your whole family feel safe, comfortable, and at home from the moment you walk in the door. We treat our patients like family. To request a consultation with a member of the Pearl Street Eye team, fill out our online form or call: 

(303) 442-6260

Is Cataract
Surgery Safe?

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All medical procedures come with certain risk factors and the chance for complications. However, cataract surgery is one of the safer and more commonly performed procedures in the medical field. The professionals at Pearl Street Eye in Boulder are among the best cataract surgery and eye care experts in the state of Colorado, if not the entire country.

See What the Procedure Looks Like

What to Expect During Cataract Surgery

Your skilled Pearl Street Eye surgeon will remove the cloudy cataract tissue beneath the surface of your eye and replace it with a clear artificial lens, or IOL, that helps focus light into your retina for clearer vision. Here's a step-by-step guide to the procedure:

The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes and is completed at our technologically advanced outpatient surgery room.

Day of Procedure

The entire procedure takes about 30 minutes and is completed at our technologically advanced outpatient surgery room.

Anesthesia

Your doctor will administer anesthetic eye drops to your affected eye so you don't feel any discomfort. We offer IV sedation if requested.

Laser Incisions

A highly-accurate laser will painlessly make a few small incisions in your cornea. There are no blades or stitches to worry about.

Cataract Removal

A powerful ultrasound probe is inserted into an incision to break up and suction out cloudy cataract tissue through a process called phacoemulsification. Cataract surgeons have been successfully using phacoemulsification to remove cataracts for over 50 years.

Placing Your IOL 

A folded IOL is put in place under your cornea through one of the incisions. This clear artificial lens is then unfolded over the area where the cataract was growing.

Rest In Our
Comfortable Office

We'll want you to relax in our comfortable Colorado office for a few hours after the procedure. It's important to have someone waiting to drive you when it's time to head home.

That's It!

You're ready to start the healing process. You should try to avoid exposing your eyes directly to sunlight and wear sunglasses after the procedure. 

"Took great care of me and my eyes" 5-Star Reviews For Our Boulder Practice 

1

Anthony V.G.

2020

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I saw Dr. Cushing recently for an eye exam and it was incredible. The new technicians and doctor took great care of me and my eyes.
 

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1

Eddie Barr

2020

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The new staff is THE BEST. I am so happy I went to Dr. Cushing at Pearl Street Eye for my contact lens exam. I will 100% be back.

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Questions About the Procedure?  Ask Our Experienced Doctors 

Pearl Street Eye is happy to be the Boulder community's resource on eye conditions and treatments like cataract surgery. Our doctors have decades of combined experience, and Dr. Coco specializes in treating cataracts as an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. We can answer any questions you may have about cataracts and how to treat them. 

You can discuss cataract surgery in-depth during a consultation with one of our doctors, or you can call our office in Boulder, CO, at: 

(303) 442-6260

Office

The Clear Choice to Improve Cloudy Vision

cataract
Before Cataract Surgery Vision obscured by cataract tissue.
after cataract surgery
After Cataract Surgery Vision improved with cataract removal.

Is Cataract
Surgery Covered
by Insurance?

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Since cataract surgery is considered a medical necessity, the procedure is usually covered by both private medical insurance and Medicare, depending on your individual plan. Our staff can help you find out how much your insurance will cover. The total cost of cataract surgery can also depend on the type of intraocular lens you receive. 

Types of Intraocular Lens

Standard IOL

If you do have coverage, replacing a cataract with a standard monofocal intraocular lens should result in zero out-of-pocket costs for you. A monofocal lens features a single, uniform prescription throughout the lens that helps patients see distant objects more clearly. However, these IOLs can only improve nearsightedness or farsightedness, but not both, which is why monofocal patients may still need eyeglasses or contact lenses to see objects at certain distances. 

Premium IOL

Unlike monofocal IOLs, premium intraocular lenses can help correct multiple types of refractive errors in one solution, such as nearsightedness and farsightedness. Toric IOLs, another type of premium lens, can also correct astigmatism. While premium IOLs can greatly improve a patient's quality of life, they tend to be more expensive than their standard counterparts. As a result, your insurance may not completely cover the expense of premium lenses. 

Reach Out About Your Financing Options Cost Should Not Get in the Way of Life-Changing Treatment 

The friendly, knowledgeable staff at Pearl Street Eye will happily meet with you and thoroughly discuss costs, insurance, and financing options regarding your cataract surgery. Our team can contact your insurance company and create a personalized quote so you know the cost before committing to the surgery. Even if you do not have insurance, we encourage you to reach out to us so we can explore your financing options. 

You can directly submit your financing questions through this form or ask us over the phone by calling our Boulder office at: 

(303) 442-6260

Office

"Exceptional"  More 5-Star Reviews From the Boulder Community

1

Kate Brown

2021

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The staff at this office are exceptional. Everyone is nice, friendly and helpful and it's always a pleasant experience.

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1

Betsy Redfern

2021

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Prompt, professional, knowledgeable staff. Dr. Ruth is deep in knowledge, effective in communication and unhurried in her process. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the common questions we hear from Boulder residents about cataract surgery: 

What will happen if a cataract is left untreated? 

If a cataract is left untreated for too long, patients can experience a continued decrease in vision until they finally go blind. Luckily, cataract surgery can reverse severe vision impairments that are caused by having a clouded lens. 

When should you have a cataract removed? 

The best time to have a cataract removed depends on the patient. Some cataracts can develop over the course of years and may not have an immediate effect on the patient's lifestyle, in which case the patient can choose to wait before having surgery. However, it is worth noting that cataract surgery is the only permanent solution to cataract-induced vision loss. Our doctors will take your needs and lifestyle into consideration when recommending treatment.

Is cataract surgery painful? 

With modern advances in medicine, cataract surgery can be a virtually painless experience since we use local anesthesia to numb your eyes before the procedure. Some patients may experience some mild discomfort in the days following the procedure, but this can be managed using over-the-counter medications and prescriptions.  

Does cataract surgery give you 20/20 vision?

While a patient can gain 20/20 vision after having cataract surgery, it is not a guaranteed outcome. Cataract surgery can improve your eyesight to a certain degree, so having better eyesight before developing cataracts can increase your chances of living without glasses or contacts after the surgery.

The type of IOL you choose can also impact the results since premium IOLs go further in restoring your vision by improving your sight at varying distances compared to the single distance of monofocal IOLs. 

"Nice, knowledgeable, and thorough" More Reviews From Happy Boulder Patients 

1

Libby Reynolds

2020

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The new staff/doctors are extremely nice, knowledgeable and thorough. I HIGHLY recommend everyone go to Pearl Street Eye for their next eye exam.

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1

Charlie Van Goetz

2020

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Their staff top to bottom is excellent. Dr. Cushing was my doctor and he was absolutely incredible. He really sweet and took his time during his exam. I will be referring everyone I know to Pearl Street Eye.

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Pearl Street Eye logo

Pearl Street Eye

The team at Pearl Street Eye in Boulder, CO, combines cutting-edge technology with a genuine commitment to patients' health. Drs. Stanley Cushing and  Justin Coco, have in-depth experience and are members of the:

  • American Academy of Ophthalmology™
  • American Osteopathic Association®
  • American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery
  • International Society of Refractive Surgery®
  • American Osteopathic Colleges of Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery
  • American Optometric Association

Are you due for an eye exam or worried about your vision? Request a consultation or call our practice today at (303) 442-6260.



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Boulder Location

2575 Pearl St.
1C
Boulder, CO 80302

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