Cataracts

Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss in the world; however, advances in technology have made cataract surgery one of the safest and most successful surgical procedures performed today. Cataract surgery restores vision to patients, allowing them to return to their hobbies and daily activities. Cataracts are usually age-related and can affect your vision. Other causes of cataracts include trauma, medications such as steroids, prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light, and systemic diseases such as diabetes and lung disease.

Find Out if You’re a Candidate for Cataract Surgery

What Are Cataracts?

At Desert Vision Center, we specialize in restoring clarity to lives clouded by cataracts. A cataract is a natural part of aging where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, dimming your vision and your daily experiences. Our patients often don’t realize how much vibrancy they’ve lost until their vision is restored.

Development of a cataract can take several months to years. Some patients may not even be aware that they suffer from cataracts. Others may not be able to see well enough to perform daily activities such as reading, driving, or golfing.

Symptoms of Cataracts

Cataracts develop gradually, often unnoticed until they interfere with activities like reading, driving, or enjoying desert sunsets.  Want to learn more about what causes cataracts?  Click on this YouTube link to watch Dr. Tokuhara discuss symptoms of cataracts.

Common symptoms include:

• Glare
• Halos
• Sensitivity to light
• Clouding or blurring of vision
• Poor night vision
• Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescription
• Double vision
• Fading or yellowing of colors

How Are Cataracts Treated?

Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures worldwide—but at Desert Vision Center, it’s far more than routine. Under the expert care of Dr. Tokuhara, your surgery is customized using state-of-the-art technology, including:

• Premium Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) like the PanOptix Pro for enhanced vision outcomes
• Intraoperative Aberrometry (ORA) for precision measurements
• LenSx Femtosecond Laser for ultra-accurate lens removal and astigmatism correction

With over four million cataract surgeries performed in the United States alone, cataract surgery has become the safest and most common surgical procedure in the world. The surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure and is generally completed in about 10-15 minutes.

Advancements in new technology, such as intraoperative aberrometry (ORA), allow Dr. Tokuhara to perform a cataract surgery customized just for you. Cataract surgery can be performed with and without laser technology. The LenSx laser helps soften cataracts prior to removal and corrects astigmatism with precise laser incisions.

There are several different lens implants available including premium intraocular lenses (IOLs). Dr. Tokuhara will go over all of your options with you.

For patients seeking efficiency and convenience, we proudly offer CLEAR in a Day — a proprietary approach allowing bilateral cataract surgery safely performed on the same day. This patient-first service eliminates multiple visits while delivering premium results.

Recovering From Cataract Surgery

Our boutique approach means you’ll receive continuous care from Dr. Tokuhara himself — from consultation through recovery. Most patients return to their normal activities quickly, experiencing sharper, brighter vision almost immediately.

At Desert Vision Center, we don’t just restore sight — we enhance the way you experience the world.

Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) — A Cataract-Grade Solution for Vision Correction

For patients who want clear vision without glasses or contacts — but aren’t quite ready for cataract surgery — Refractive Lens Exchange (RLE) offers a powerful alternative.

RLE replaces your eye’s natural, clear lens with an advanced intraocular lens implant, correcting refractive errors like farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism. It’s the same trusted surgical process as cataract surgery, but performed proactively to enhance vision and eliminate the future need for cataract surgery.

Why Consider RLE at Desert Vision Center?

• For Patients Over 45 seeking a more permanent solution than LASIK or PRK
• For Those With Presbyopia who want sharp vision at all distances without bifocals
• For Patients With Astigmatism or High Hyperopia needing precise correction
• For Individuals Looking to Prevent Cataracts while improving their current vision

Unlike LASIK, RLE addresses aging of the eye’s natural lens itself — providing long-term visual clarity without the limitations of corneal laser surgery.

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts and are interested in discussing your options, contact us to schedule a consultation.

How Successful is Refractive Lens Exchange?

While all surgeries carry a possibility of complications, refractive lens exchange is just as safe and effective as cataract surgery. Cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange share a lot of the same risks since they are so similar. However, if any complications do arise, they can be successfully treated with medication or additional surgery. It is also worth noting that by removing the aging lens in your eye, you’re eliminating the need for cataract surgery down the road. Overall, refractive lens exchange is a highly effective and safe procedure.

How Much Does Refractive Lens Exchange Cost?

Depending on the insurance company, refractive lens exchange may or may not be covered by your insurance. Insurance companies tend not to cover elective surgical procedures, so unless refractive lens exchange is a “medically necessary” procedure, it may not be covered by your insurance. However, when you consider the many costs of maintaining eyeglasses and contact lenses, the cost of refractive lens exchange begins to make much more sense. Especially if you are at risk for cataracts in the future, RLE may be an excellent option to improve your vision while also preventing cataracts from developing. Overall. RLE acts as an investment in your vision and overall well-being.

Who is a Candidate for Refractive Lens Exchange?

Like LASIK, not everyone who may want refractive lens exchange may be a good candidate for it. Some of the traits of a good candidate for refractive lens exchange include:

• Moderate to high farsightedness
• Presbyopia (or not high myopia)
• Astigmatism 
• Want to reduce or eliminate dependency on glasses or contact lenses.
• Need an alternative to LASIK
• Those with early cataracts who are nearsighted, farsighted, or have astigmatism
• Usually over the age of 45

While older patients may be a better candidate for refractive lens exchange, younger individuals can still be accommodated. To find out if you’re a candidate for refractive lens exchange, schedule an appointment today!

Advanced Lens Implants — Customizing Your Visual Freedom

At Desert Vision Center, your vision correction is never one-size-fits-all. Whether through cataract surgery or RLE, Dr. Tokuhara will recommend the most advanced lens implants to match your unique visual goals.

From extended depth-of-focus lenses to cutting-edge trifocal IOLs, we offer premium options designed to reduce your dependence on glasses — for life.

Explore your lens implant options in more detail: See Advanced IOL Solutions

Secondary Lens Placement (Yamane Technique)

This surgery is for patients who have had traumatic loss, damage, or dislocation of their previously implanted lens implant.  In such cases, a new secondary lens can be implanted to help regain focus and vision.  Depending on the health and condition of the eye after trauma, there may be surgical options to implant a new lens, such as securing the lens into position without sutures with intrascleral haptic fixation (Yamane Technique).

Can a Lens Implant be Redone?

Yes, a lens implant can be removed and replaced. However, this procedure is usually rare unless there is a problem with the implanted lens. Once an intraocular lens is planted, it is meant to be permanent. A lens implant is usually only redone if the IOL functions at an incorrect power or if the position shifts.

Can a Lens Implant Come Loose?

In very uncommon cases, yes, an intraocular lens can become dislocated. Although this is extremely rare, and if this does occur, a surgeon can put it back in its place quite easily. You may not notice any pain if your IOL becomes dislocated. However, if you experience any blurry, unfocused, or loss of vision, contact your doctor immediately. 

Can Intraocular Lenses Fail?

While intraocular lenses can become dislocated, they are designed not to be replaced. Therefore, you can expect your IOL to not break down over your lifetime and will, more than likely, never need to be replaced. If need be, you can exchange your implants for another pair.

Invest in Your Vision, Invest in You

While insurance often covers cataract surgery when medically necessary, RLE is typically considered an elective procedure. However, for those seeking a glasses-free life and long-term clarity, RLE can be a worthwhile investment in visual freedom and quality of life.

Not sure if you’re a candidate? Let’s talk. Schedule Your Personalized Consultation