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Restore Your World of Vision

The eye’s lens plays a vital role in the function of sight. However, changes due to age, medical conditions, or injuries can begin to interfere with your vision. Cataract surgery by a licensed professional is a safe, effective way to restore clarity to your vision for years to come. As a leading eye surgeon in Boise and across Idaho, Dr. Michael Merkley is proud to offer this procedure to patients in the community he grew up in. Call his office today to set up a visit for a consultation and evaluation.

What Are Cataracts?

A cataract is simply the blurring of the lens, the part of the eye through which light is focused onto the retina. This can happen naturally as you age, but a number of conditions and illnesses can increase the rate of clouding. For example, diabetes and certain drugs can lead to an increasingly clouded lens.
At first, the cataract symptoms may not be noticeable, but over time they can become progressively interruptive to daily life. Some common symptoms include:
  • Blurry or dimmed vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Glare or halos in vision
  • Decrease in vibrancy of colors
  • Requiring brighter light for activities like reading
  • Double vision (in one eye)

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery typically involves removing the clouded lens and replacing it with a custom-made artificial one. This implant, called an intraocular lens, functions just like your natural lens. Now, light can pass through the lens with ease, creating clearer vision. Construction from medical-grade materials, the new lens should last the patient a lifetime. We offer several different types of lenses, depending on the patient’s individual needs.

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • Highly safe procedure
  • Improve multiple aspects of your vision
  • Increased safety performing tasks requiring vision (driving, certain jobs, sports)
  • Rapid recovery time
  • Getting yourself out of glasses

Featured Element: Light Adjustable Lens

The eye can change at any point in life, but you want the results of your surgery to last as long as possible. The RxSight light adjustable lens is an FDA-approved option for cataract surgery that can be adjusted after your procedure. Dr. Merkley can fine-tune the lens to bring your perfect vision into focus, improving not only your sight but your comfort with how your vision works. The adjustments are all made nonsurgically. The lens material enables it to change in response to exposure to certain amounts of UV light.
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Is Cataract Surgery Right for Me?

Choosing cataract surgery is always up to the patient. But, you can fully discuss your situation with a certified eye specialist to learn all you need to know about the procedure before making your decision. Dr. Merkley takes the time to explain the benefits and risks (which are minimal) and happily answers any questions you might have.

Cataract surgery is best for patients for whom vision changes have begun affecting their daily life. In themselves, cataracts do not pose a physical risk. However, the impact on vision can lead to difficulties, particularly in certain jobs or recreational activities. In jobs that require operating heavy machinery, cataracts can particularly begin to put an individual at risk.
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Cataract Surgery FAQs

We use anesthesia to ensure each patient has a pain-free surgery. Some mild itchiness and discomfort are normal after the procedure, but these typically resolve within 1 to 2 days. Generally, patients will not need any pain reliever medication even after the surgery.
Cataract surgery results are typically highly beneficial for patients (and their vision). At first, there may be some blurriness as your eye heals. However, this should resolve quickly, and you can begin to notice improvements to your vision. Your vision should appear clearer, even in dimmer lighting. Additionally, many patients report pleasant surprise at how vivid colors appear following their procedure. The lenses we use are designed to be permanent, so you should expect years of benefits. However, continued eye health is paramount.
Because of the construction of the artificial lens, it should remain unaffected by the original cause of your cataracts. However, if you have a condition that affects other elements of your vision, it will be important to manage it well. Still, your new lens should remain clear so long as it is not damaged by injuries or accidents.

Recovering from cataract surgery is typically a mild experience and should not require any significant downtime. You may need to wear an eye shield for a couple of days, and we recommend avoiding strenuous activities for a couple of weeks. But otherwise, you can go about your day as normal. A few elements of the recovery process to remember include:

  • Use the eyedrops we give you to help your eye heal
  • Avoid itching or rubbing at your eye
  • Call us if you have any persistent side effects or concerns
  • It takes about 8 weeks for full healing
  • We will see you for follow-up visits to ensure everything is going smoothly

Can LASIK fix cataracts?

Laser eye surgery cannot address cataracts because it deals with a different part of the eye (the cornea). Additionally, patients with cataracts may not qualify for laser surgery even if they have vision concerns. Rather than turning you away, Dr. Merkley will find a solution that can get you out of glasses.

Book a Consultation Visit Today

When you schedule your visit with Dr. Merkley, you can begin working with a leading eye specialist. He takes the time to evaluate your case and ensure that you are matched with the right solution. Whether you need cataract surgery or another type of vision correction, he is proud to provide a path forward as a board-certified eye specialist.
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