# Cataract Surgery Co-Management

Cataract co-management covers assessment and monitoring, the lens implant discussion, surgeon referral, and post operative care locally. Dr Nguyen and Dr Sincennes both co-manage cataract surgery.

Cataract surgery is among the most successful procedures in medicine, and the decisions surrounding it deserve more discussion than they usually get. The most consequential is which lens implant to have, and it is worth understanding before you are sitting in a surgical consultation.

Standard monofocal implants give excellent distance vision, with reading glasses needed afterwards. Multifocal and extended depth of focus implants reduce dependence on glasses but can produce halos and reduced contrast at night. Toric implants correct astigmatism. Which suits you depends on how you actually use your eyes, and that is a conversation worth having with someone who is not selling the premium option.

The other piece that materially affects outcome is ocular surface health. The measurements determining implant power are taken from the front surface of the eye, and an unstable tear film gives unreliable measurements. Treating dry eye before those measurements are taken directly improves the accuracy of the result.

## Our process

1. **Assessment and monitoring** (annually): Cataract graded and its practical impact on your vision and daily life discussed.
2. **Pre operative preparation** (before referral): Ocular surface optimised so the measurements taken for your implant are reliable.
3. **Lens implant discussion** (before surgery): Monofocal, toric, multifocal and extended depth options explained in terms of how you actually live.
4. **Surgeon referral** (as scheduled): Referral with records and measurements transferred.
5. **Post operative care** (weeks following): Healing monitored locally, then a new prescription once vision has settled.


## Questions and answers
**Which lens implant should I choose?**

It depends on your priorities. Monofocals give excellent distance vision with reading glasses afterwards. Multifocals reduce glasses dependence but can cause night halos and slightly reduced contrast. Toric implants correct astigmatism. It is worth discussing with someone who has no stake in the answer.

**Will I need glasses afterwards?**

Usually for reading, and often not for distance. Multifocal implants reduce the need further at the cost of some night vision quality.

**Why does dry eye matter before cataract surgery?**

Implant power is calculated from measurements of the eye's front surface. An unstable tear film makes those measurements less reliable, which makes the refractive result less accurate.

**How soon after the first eye is the second done?**

Typically a few weeks, and your surgeon will advise. Vision in the first eye is usually assessed before the second is scheduled.

## Related

- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/comprehensive-eye-exams/cataract-evaluation
- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/specialty-eye-care/ocular-surface-disease
- https://eyedoctorphoenixaz.com/lasik-co-management/post-operative-care

---## About this practice
Arizona's Vision Eye Care Center, 15215 S 48th St Ste 180, Phoenix, AZ 85044.
Phone (480) 706-3937. Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Independent optometry practice, founded 1994. One location. Does not perform refractive or cataract surgery.
This site publishes no star rating and no review count, because the figures across the practice's own properties contradict one another and cannot be verified.
This page is general information, not medical advice.