Cataracts
Are you struggling with blurry or dim vision that’s holding you back from life’s simple pleasures? Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide – especially among older adults – but modern advancements now make restoring clear, vibrant sight easier and safer than ever. At Desert Vision Center, Dr. Keith Tokuhara uses cutting-edge technology and expert techniques to perform advanced cataract surgery that helps patients regain their independence and enjoy activities like reading, driving, and golfing again. While cataracts most often develop with age, they can also arise from eye injuries, prolonged steroid use, UV exposure, or health conditions such as diabetes and lung disease. Discover how cataract treatment at DVC can bring your world back into focus.
Find Out if You’re a Candidate for Cataract Surgery
Take our Cataract Self-TestWhat 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. Often, 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.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cataracts
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Sensitivity to light
- Clouding or blurring of vision
- Poor night vision
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions
- Fading or yellowing of colors
- Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) such as the PanOptix Pro for enhanced vision outcomes
- Intraoperative Aberrometry (ORA) for precise intra-surgery measurements
- LenSx Femtosecond Laser for ultra-accurate lens removal and astigmatism Management
- Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays whenever you’re outdoors.
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, leafy greens, and fruits, which support eye health.
- Avoid smoking, as it significantly increases the risk of cataracts.
- Manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, which can accelerate cataract formation.
- Limit steroid use unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor, since prolonged use can contribute to cataracts.
- Get regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor eye health and catch early signs of cataracts or other conditions.
- Perform comprehensive eye measurements: This includes measuring the curvature of your cornea, the length of your eye, and the size of your pupil. These measurements help determine the most accurate intraocular lens (IOL) power for your vision correction.
- Assess overall eye health: Dr. Tokuhara will examine your retina, cornea, and other eye structures to rule out any other conditions that could affect surgery or recovery.
- Discuss your lifestyle and vision goals: This helps guide the choice of lens implants, including premium options like multifocal or toric IOLs to reduce dependence on glasses.
- Review your medical history and medications: Certain medications or health conditions may require adjustments prior to surgery.
- Provide detailed instructions: You’ll receive guidance on fasting, medication use, and review final preparations for surgery.
On the day of surgery, you will first enter the pre-operative staging area, where our experienced nursing team will prepare you for the procedure. They will dilate your eyes, start an IV, and ensure you’re comfortable and ready for surgery. This careful preparation helps make the entire process smooth and stress-free.
After your cataract surgery, you will be taken to the post-operative recovery unit where our caring nursing staff will monitor you closely as you wake from the procedure. During this time, a nurse will review your personalized post-operative care instructions, including medication use, activity restrictions, and signs to watch for.
Once cleared, you’ll be able to go home the same day with a detailed plan to support your healing. Most patients notice sharper, brighter vision within the first day and can gradually return to their normal daily activities quickly, while following all care instructions to optimize healing and visual outcomes.
See Why Patients Trust Dr. Tokuhara for Cataract Surgery
Whether from here locally in the Coachella Valley or travelling from out of state, patients choose Dr. Tokuhara for his advanced cataract surgery techniques, personalized care, and trusted results. In these video testimonials, real patients share their experiences – from struggling with cloudy vision to seeing clearly again with premium lens implants like PanOptix Pro and Vivity. Watch their stories and discover what sets our approach to cataract care apart.
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
Customized Vision Correction at Desert Vision Center
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.
See Advanced IOL SolutionsSecondary 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.
See Clearly, Live Fully
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