Facing cataract surgery? You might have more options than you think. Same-day bilateral cataract surgery is gaining attention for making recovery faster, easier, and less stressful. Before you decide how to move forward, it’s important to understand if it’s the right fit for you.
When most people think of cataract surgery, they assume it’s a one-eye-at-a-time approach, with two separate procedures spaced weeks or months apart. Although that’s still true for many, today’s patients have an easier, less stressful, and more convenient option in same-day bilateral cataract surgery.
At Austin Eye, our ophthalmologists and eye care specialists, led by CEO Dr. Shannon Wong, offer state-of-the-art care designed around your needs. With 50 years as the premier eye surgery center in Austin, TX, we constantly innovate and bring new technology to give our patients the best experiences. One such innovation came when we began offering same-day bilateral cataract surgery in 2023, with resounding success.
Here’s what you should think about if you’re considering this procedure.
Who’s Covering Your Cataract Surgery?
The path to same-day bilateral cataract surgery often starts with a key detail: Who pays for the procedure? If insurance covers the procedure, you’re typically required to have surgery on one eye at a time, with several weeks or months between surgeries.
This timeline is meant to ensure safety and healing, but unfortunately, it can feel long, inconvenient, and frustrating.
If you choose self-pay, your options expand. You can opt for same-day bilateral cataract surgery, where our renowned cataract surgeons treat both eyes during one surgical session. This choice comes with several important benefits that many patients appreciate.
Advantages of Same-Day Bilateral Cataract Surgery
Same-day bilateral cataract surgery has quickly become popular with patients, and for good reason. Some of the biggest advantages include:
- Less anxiety: You only have to go through surgery once, making the experience far less stressful.
- Fewer office visits: Completing both surgeries simultaneously means half as many follow-up visits and less disruption to your schedule.
- Faster return to work and routines: Most patients with bilateral cataract surgery resume their normal activities more quickly than with surgeries done separately.
- Better for high refractive errors: Patients with significant vision prescriptions often experience frustrating visual imbalance if surgeries are spaced out. Same-day surgery provides more balanced vision faster, helping you adjust more smoothly.
The same benefits hold for premium lens replacement. This procedure replaces natural lenses to correct issues like severe nearsightedness, farsightedness, or presbyopia. Because it’s a similar procedure (replacing the eye lenses) our surgeons can do both eyes at the same time.
Learn More About Your Cataract Surgery Options
To find out if same-day bilateral cataract surgery is right for you, call Austin Eye at 512-250-2020 to book your consultation.
