Cataracts are a common part of aging and can gradually reduce the clarity of your vision, affecting everyday activities such as reading, driving, and seeing in low light. At Crews LASIK & Cataract Center, we provide advanced cataract surgery designed to restore clear, comfortable vision safely.
Care is led by Dr. Stanley L. Crews, a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than 30 years of surgical experience and an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery. Understanding how cataracts develop, how they affect vision, and when treatment may be needed is the first step toward clearer sight.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s naturally clear lens. When this happens, the eye appears like a frosted or yellowed window. Light entering the eye is scattered before it can properly focus on the retina, causing vision to become blurry or dark.
Common Signs of Cataracts
Some people begin to experience early cataract symptoms in their mid-40s, such as a gradual loss of near vision. By age 65, a large percentage of people will develop a cataract.
Cataracts are most often associated with:
- Difficulty seeing in low-light environments
- Cloudy or fuzzy vision
Cataracts and Vision Loss
Developing a cataract does not mean a permanent loss of vision quality or having to give up the activities you enjoy. Cataract surgery is a proven and effective way to improve vision clarity. Performed almost exclusively as an outpatient procedure, this microsurgery involves removing the eye’s clouded natural lens and replacing it with an intraocular lens (IOL).
The procedure is extremely successful, and Dr. Crews is a highly skilled cataract surgeon who has helped thousands of patients throughout Portland, Central Oregon, and Vancouver, WA regain their best possible vision.
When Is Cataract Surgery Needed?
Surgery is often recommended when cataracts begin to impact your daily activities and overall visual comfort. Surgery may be needed if cataracts make it difficult to read, enjoy hobbies, see street signs clearly, or drive safely—especially at night due to glare from headlights.
What Is an IOL?
An intraocular lens (IOL) is surgically implanted in the eye during cataract surgery to replace the clouded lens. Cataract and lens implant surgery today is highly successful and very precise.
There are several types of intraocular lenses available. Each IOL is designed to improve vision in different ways, depending on your visual needs and lifestyle.
Standard Monofocal IOLs
A monofocal IOL provides improved vision at one set distance and does not adjust focus. As a result, most patients will need reading glasses after cataract surgery, even if they previously did not need vision correction.
Multifocal IOLs
A multifocal lens uses multiple focusing areas within the lens to provide vision at several distances. These zones are arranged in a pattern similar to concentric rings, allowing both near and distance vision in a way comparable to bifocal or trifocal glasses.
Accommodating IOLs
As the name implies, an accommodating lens “flexes” or “accommodates” to focus on subjects at various distances, delivering a continuous range of vision from near to far.
Advanced Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options
These advanced intraocular lenses are designed to provide an expanded range of vision and reduce dependence on glasses after cataract surgery. Each option offers unique technology to address different visual needs and lifestyles.
Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF)
Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOLs, such as the Vivity® lens, are designed to provide a continuous range of vision by extending focus beyond a single distance. Unlike multifocal lenses, EDOF lenses do not split light into separate zones, which helps reduce visual disturbances such as glare and halos. This lens option can improve distance and intermediate vision while offering functional near vision with little to no dependence on glasses.
Light Adjustable Lens
The Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) is a revolutionary ophthalmic technology that offers customizable vision correction. It uses a unique lens material that can be precisely adjusted after implantation to refine visual acuity. This allows patients to experience improved vision without the need for additional surgeries, setting a new standard in cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange.
PanOptix
PanOptix stands out for its trifocal design. Unlike traditional monofocal IOLs that correct vision at only one distance, PanOptix provides clear vision at three crucial distances: near, intermediate, and far. This allows for a fuller, more natural range of vision and significantly reduces reliance on glasses for activities such as reading, using digital devices, and appreciating distant views.
Vivity
The Vivity IOL is a ground breaking intraocular lens designed to enhance overall vision quality, particularly for patients who struggle with intermediate vision tasks such as computer use or reading price tags in stores. What sets Vivity apart is its innovative X-WAVE technology, which creates a broader range of vision without splitting light, helping deliver smoother visual transitions.
Why Choose Crews LASIK & Cataract Center for Cataract Surgery?
At Crews LASIK & Cataract Center, patients benefit from decades of experience, advanced technology, and personalized care.
Dr. Stanley L. Crews is a board-certified ophthalmologist with more than 30 years of experience providing vision correction and cataract surgery to patients throughout Portland, Central Oregon, and Vancouver, WA. He is an active member of the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery and is highly experienced in modern cataract techniques and advanced intraocular lens options.
From consultation to recovery, we emphasize clear communication, precise care, and personalized attention to support optimal visual outcomes.
Clear Vision Starts With Expert Cataract Care in Portland, OR
Cataracts do not have to limit your vision or quality of life. With today’s advanced cataract surgery and modern lens options, many patients can achieve clearer vision.
At Crews LASIK & Cataract Center, we provide safe, effective cataract care and personalized treatment. If cataracts are affecting your daily life, schedule a consultation by calling 800-757-3525 to take the next step toward clearer vision.