Cataract Surgery Fort Myers

If you find that a cataract is making it difficult to enjoy your everyday activities, consider discussing surgery with E. Trevor Elmquist, DO and Elmquist Eye Group. We have been serving Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Lee County and Southwest Florida for over 25 years. We can evaluate your cataract(s) and help you decide on the best option for restoring your clear vision.

Dr. Elmquist is a board certified ophthalmologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Ophthalmology who specializes in general ophthalmology and cataract surgery.  He earned his medical degree from the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO.

He was an ophthalmology resident at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and was later selected as Chief Resident. He also served as Chief of the eye clinic at Homestead Air Force Base. Dr. Elmquist has earned distinction as one of America’s Top Doctors in ophthalmology from Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

Dr. Elmquist’s partner, Kate Wagner, OD, and his associate, Nina Burt, OD, are board certified optometrists who provide complete eye care services. Together, the Elmquist team can provide care for anyone in your family, from children to seniors. With state-of-the-art facilities, we offer a full range of services, from routine eye exams for glasses to bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery.

How are cataracts treated? 

Cataracts worsen slowly over time, but you may eventually decide to have cataract surgery to correct the problem. The cataract, or cloudy lens of the eye, is replaced with an artificial plastic lens, called an intraocular lens or “IOL.”

Cataract surgery is one of the safest surgeries performed in the U.S. today, with a success rate that exceeds 95%.  The procedure is quick, most patients experience little or no discomfort, and clear vision is usually restored within a few days.

Elmquist Eye Group now offers bladeless laser-assisted cataract surgery, a procedure that is designed to make the treatment more precise, safer and more accurate.  Of course, there are risks with any type of surgery, and they should be discussed with Dr. Elmquist before surgery.

Which intraocular lens (IOL) is best?

It’s best to choose a lens that fits your lifestyle.  If you have an active lifestyle and don’t want the inconvenience of wearing glasses, then you may want to consider a premium or new-technology lens that will free you from wearing glasses for the activities you love to do.

Here are a few of Elmquist Eye Group’s cataract lens options. Dr. Elmquist can answer your questions about all of these lenses and determine if you are a candidate. 

• Monofocal lens: This traditional lens will give you vision for seeing objects at distance, such as when you’re driving, but most people will need to wear glasses for intermediate and near vision. If you have astigmatism, you will likely still need glasses full time since the traditional lens does not correct astigmatism. This basic lens is the lens that is covered by insurance.

• Toric lens: If you have astigmatism, a premium Toric IOL may be a good option for you. This lens has an advanced design that corrects your astigmatism and reduces your reliance on glasses. After cataract surgery, however, you may still need glasses for reading.

• Multifocal lens:This new-technology multifocal IOL is designed to help you see clearly at all distances – near, intermediate and far. In an FDA study, 80 percent of the patients who chose this lens did not need any glasses after surgery.  If you have an active lifestyle, the multifocal lens can be a great choice. Elmquist will carefully examine your eyes to determine if this lens is an option for you.

• Monovision: One lens is corrected at distance and the other lens is corrected at near.  You may still need glasses for certain tasks.  We always test this system with contact lenses on your eyes prior to surgery.  Monofocal or toric lenses can be used with monovision.

Get in touch with Elmquist Eye Group at (239) 936-2020 to learn about your options for cataract surgery in Fort Myers and Cape Coral.  You can count on us to provide the highest level of care.