Cataract Surgery in Harrisburg

Cataract Surgery in Harrisburg

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(717) 657-5030

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. Kirn Family Eye Care will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Woman smiling

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.


How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your Harrisburg optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact Kirn Family Eye Care.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.

Patient Reviews
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29 Reviews
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- Nov. 05, 2024
Dr. Daniel Kirn truly exceeds all expectations, making every visit to the Kirn Family an exciting an... d memorable appointment!
- Oct. 11, 2024
Dr White is the best and very kind.
- Sep. 05, 2024
Great Doctors and Friendly staff..
- Nov. 27, 2023
Very professional and very polite.
- Dec. 01, 2021
They are always kindand helpful.
- Jan. 29, 2021
I had a great experience with this office for 3 years. Doctors including the staff are friendly, pat... ient and very helpful. Thanks!
- Feb. 20, 2020
Went in for an eye appointment, they made me feel super comfortable, and everyone was pleasant and f... un to talk to! Dr. White listened to everything I had to say, made me feel comfortable about being there, and I wasn't as scared as I usually am. The woman who helped me pick out my glasses was wonderful and the receptionists were very friendly! Overall, great experience!
- Aug. 19, 2019
I've been a patient of Dr. White since she and her husband opened their practice together. I am one... of those people whose eye sight has to be exactly "right on" and Dr. White comes through each time. She is patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable in her field, very concerned about her patients, etc...I could go on and on. I would never trust my eyes to anyone else. I think that says it all!
- Nov. 08, 2018
Always a pleasant experience and everyone is friendly. I have been going to Kirn Family Eye Care my ... entire life. I had an emergency one time and they were able to get me in. This truly is a great family business!
- May. 30, 2018
Dr. Kirn has been my families PEC provider for years. I recommend Kirns Family Eyecare to all my fa... mily and friends... Great customer service and nice selection of the lates glasses.
- Mar. 10, 2018
Nice evirenment and doctor is very friendly and professional.
- Jan. 22, 2018
Great experiences here. I've been seeing eye doctors since I was in second grade (So, like 30+ year... s). Kirn Family Eye care has met my expectations in every way. Staff is very friendly. They have ample evening hours. Lately, I've been seeing Dr. White and she's great. I had seen Dr. Kirn in the past. He was great, too. I gladly recommend them to anyone.
- Jun. 24, 2016
Staff is so friendly!! They are helpful and knowledge and great with kids! My 1 yr old needed glasse... s and they were so efficient and got her exactly what she needed!
- May. 04, 2016
I didn't have to wait, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and they knew exactly what to do - ... very professional. Thanks!

View All 29 Reviews

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Harrisburg

Our optometry practice in Harrisburg

Photograph of Daniel  Kirn
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Aetna Medicare
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Highmark
  • Cigna
  • EyeMed
  • VSP
  • VBA
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • Meritain Health
  • Davis Vision
  • UPMC Health Plan
  • Medicare
  • Geisinger

Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

(717) 657-5030

Senior woman