Cataract 2024-07-22T08:25:20-05:00

Cataracts are a common age-related eye disorder that will affect most of us

You can restore your vision and have the option to eliminate your need for glasses with cataract surgery
Explore your cataract surgery options
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Cataracts are a common age-related eye disorder that will affect most of us

YOU CAN RESTORE YOUR VISION AND HAVE THE OPTION TO ELIMINATE YOUR NEED FOR GLASSES WITH CATARACT SURGERY

Restore your vision with cataract surgery

IN THIS VIDEO, WE EXPLAIN HOW YOU CAN GAIN CLEAR VISION WITH CATARACT SURGERY

Cataracts can make daily life difficult

DISCOVER MORE ABOUT THIS CONDITION AND HOW TO TREAT IT

Cataracts incidence / prevalence

Over 50% of people over the age of 60 (and quite a few as young as age 40) suffer from cataracts. Almost everyone experiences cataract development as they grow older. They develop at different rates in different individuals and can affect one or both eyes.

Click here to learn more about different types of cataracts, risk factors and advanced treatment options at Memorial Eye Institute.

Symptoms of cataracts

  • Decreasing vision with age
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Seeing halos around bright lights
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Vision that worsens in sunlight
  • Glare and difficulty driving at night
  • Difficulty distinguishing colors
  • Poor depth perception
  • Frequent prescription changes for glasses
  • Difficulty reading

Cataracts: Introduction

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye’s natural lens. It interferes with light passing through the eye to the retina.

Aging and other factors cause proteins in the eye’s lens to clump together, forming these cloudy areas.

Early changes may not disturb vision, but over time cataracts typically result in blurred or fuzzy vision and sensitivity to light.

People with visually significant cataracts often say they feel as if they’re looking through a waterfall or a piece of wax paper. Activities such as driving at night, reading fine print, sewing and threading a needle and even watching t.v. become difficult.

Causes

  • Age
  • Eye trauma
  • Heredity
  • Diabetes
  • Some medications including long-term use of oral steroids
  • Ultraviolet radiation
  • Smoking
  • Glaucoma
  • Certain metabolic conditions

Diagnosing cataracts

We can diagnose cataracts by conducting a comprehensive eye exam.

When a cataract starts affecting activities of daily life, it is considered clinically significant and surgery is the only option for improvement.

Cataract surgery is an elective procedure but most patients who are symptomatic choose to have surgery at an early date.

Once you have decided to proceed with surgery, we perform additional testing and measurements to determine the appropriate intraocular lens power for your eyes.

Treating cataracts

Once cataracts form, the only way to achieve clear vision again is through surgery.

We have two options:

Do cataracts come back?

No, cataract removal is permanent. However, the natural capsule holding the lens implant in place can become cloudy over time. This is a normal occurrence and, if it affects vision, is routinely and easily treated by a quick and painless laser procedure.

How long do the lens implants last?

The lens implants are designed to last a lifetime.

Are cataracts removed from both eyes at the same time?

No, typically surgery is done on only one eye at a time. We perform surgery on the second eye within the following weeks.

Know your options for cataract surgery

Download this map to understand which type of cataract surgery fits you

Restore your vision in 3 easy steps

TRUST US TO EXPERTLY GUIDE YOU TO A LIFE FREE FROM CATARACTS

Contact us

Give us a call on (717) 657-2020 or book a free appointment online. Our warm and friendly team are here to guide you every step of the way.

We’ll meet

Visit our eye surgery center in Harrisburg for a free assessment that will give you a complete understanding of your cataract surgery options.

Enjoy everyday

In no time at all, you’ll be experiencing the world through brand new eyes – free from cataracts (and possibly even glasses!)

AS SEEN IN

Thousands of happy cataract surgery patients in Central PA

We help people in and around the Harrisburg community live it up with better vision AFTER CATARACTS

My wait time was minimal and I was pleased to note the furniture arrangement for social distancing and the sanitation practices in progress. All in all it was a much more relaxing experience than I anticipated and I was impressed by the procedures taken to assure safe practices for the safety of the patients and staff while reducing stress on the patients.

C.J.S.

I was well taken care of. They took good care of my things. Dr. Erik Chotiner did an excellent job. I am so happy to see quite clearly with my eye that has macular degeneration.

S.D.H.

I had cataract surgery and correction of an astigmatism. In one word……excellent!

Ray Jaffev

First time in 78 years I can see well without prescription lenses! I was apprehensive to have any elective surgery during the pandemic with my age and health history. The staff sensed it and made an effort to deal with it very professionally.

W.H.R

I am a first time patient at your practice. Everyone was so nice and knowledgeable. Overall it was a great experience. I did not realize how bad my vision was. I am amazed! The get well flowers were a nice touch!

J.B.

I was somewhat jittery about returning to the office after the COVID restrictions were lifted. My concerns were put to rest from the moment I stepped through the door and was greeted by an associate who took my temperature, asked pertinent questions, and offered hand sanitizer, as well as being very friendly. The check in and co-pay payment went equally as smoothly.

C.J.S

As a rookie having my first visit at Memorial Eye in May 2020, I asked for a doctor that was patient and that is exactly what I got in Dr. Kowalski. He took his time and explained my options to me. My testing was extensive and thorough. The staff was very kind and made me feel relaxed during the surgery. A 5 star rating from beginning to end. Well done!

J.E.R.

My care for cataract removal was superb. The team in the surgical suite was very organized, efficient, and caring. Their expertise was so excellent. Everyone who works there was very skillful in their work and courteous. Dr. Chotiner is kind and extremely skilled. He was outstanding!

M.V.

I had my surgery done for a cataract and to correct my astigmatism. I can see better out of the eye that Dr Chotiner performed surgery on without the need for a corrective lens than I can see out of the other eye with my glasses on. The surgery was delayed because of the whole Covid virus closings, but when it was performed it went incredibly well and I could not be happier with the results.

Robin

The doctor and his staff made my cataract surgeries a ‘piece of cake’. I have been coming here since I moved to Harrisburg 37 years ago. Dr. Chotiner performed cataract six years ago and my sight is as good as it was when I was young. As long as the light is reasonable, I do not even need over the counter reading glasses.

Claire Bodner

The staff and doctor were very accommodating. Always on time, if not earlier with appointments. The surgical staff was very attentive to any needs such as extra blankets if needed, and making sure you were comfortable while you waited for your surgery.

Pam C

I am so glad the doctor suggested LRI with my cataract surgery. I had never heard of it but it is amazing how my astigmatism is dissipating slowly and it is the reason I started wearing glasses 30 years ago! Even working around pandemic guidelines everyone is polite and cooperates as a team.

A.A.N.

I cannot thank Dr. Chotiner and his staff enough for what they have done for me. I had LASIK here 16 years ago and that was a life changing event for me. Prior to that, my vision was always poor and then (after surgery) it was great. Now I have cataracts and once again, getting the first eye done was a life changing experience.

Richard Brandt

We have replaced the images of real patients who provided these testimonials to protect their privacy.

Fix your cataracts AND read again without glasses

Many people have cataract surgery without knowing they have different treatment options. Book a free appointment today, and we’ll show you how you can restore clear vision AND free yourself from the hassle of reading glasses

Free yourself from glasses, contacts and cataracts

Discover if vision correction treatment can give you more confidence and convenience

I want to see glasses-free!

Life’s complicated enough these days. With all I’ve got going on, who’s got time for glasses and contact lenses too? Click here to see if you can become glasses-free…

I hate my reading glasses!

These things aren’t me at all. On, off, on, off… what a huge inconvenience to have to deal with day-in and day-out. Click here to find out if you can ditch your readers…

I’m too young for cataracts!

I’m busier than ever and want every day to be better. Ain’t nothing going to get in my way at this point in my life. Click here to see the options available to remove those cataracts…

“The world seems so much brighter now”

Our eye doctors answer questions about cataract and lens surgery

our Harrisburg CATARACT specialists give you the straight goods on this highly successful treatment

Insurers

OUR MEDICALLY-NECESSARY EYE TREATMENTS ARE assured by
theSE private medical insurance COMPANIES

Academic resources on premium cataract surgery

Follow the links below to discover more about this treatment from authoritative sources

Should I get a premium IOL?

If you are at risk of cataracts, you may know that you need cataract surgery. What you may not know is that the natural lens of the eye is removed during cataract surgery as well.

When this happens, the lens is then replaced with an artificial lens, or IOL. There are several kinds of IOLs to choose from, including premium options.

Memorial Eye Institute offers both Standard and Premium Cataract Surgery options to our patients. Our doctors will work with you to figure out the best option based on your specific needs.

The goal in modern cataract surgery is emmetropia. With today’s technology, emmetropia is easily achievable for patients with myopic or hyperopic refractive errors when the appropriate spherical lens power is chosen.

Voted “Simply the Best” by the Harrisburg community

We are honoured to have received the following community awards

Affiliations and memberships

We’re proud to be members of these prestigious professional organiZations

Recognized leaders in Harrisburg LASIK eye surgery

CHOOSE THE MOST EXPERIENCED LASIK SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL PENNSYLVANIA

Dr. Erik A Chotiner
M.D., F.A.C.S.

GENERAL OPHTHALMOLOGY, CATARACT & REFRACTIVE SURGERY, LASIK SURGERY

Erik Chotiner, M.D. diagnoses and treats a wide range of medical eye conditions. He is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Franklin and Marshall College. Dr. Chotiner attended Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia where he received multiple awards including the Physiology Prize for …

Learn more >

Dr. Richard M. Kowalski
Dr. Richard M. KowalskiO.D.
Dr. Kowalski is a specialist in comprehensive eye care, refractive surgery consultations and contact lenses…

Learn more >

Dr. Kenneth H. Levin
Dr. Kenneth H. LevinM.D., F.A.C.S
Dr. Levin is a specialist in cataract surgery, glaucoma and general ophthalmology

Learn more >

Dr. Bradford K. Sgrignoli
Dr. Bradford K. SgrignoliD.O.
Dr. Sgrignoli is a specialist in retina and vitreous disease & surgery, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy…

Learn more >

Dr. Michael J. Silvetti
Dr. Michael J. SilvettiO.D.
Dr. Silvetti is a specialist in comprehensive eye care, refractive surgery consultations, contact lenses and low vision consultations…

Learn more >

Dr. Katherine Won
Dr. Katherine WonO.D.
Dr. Won is a specialist in comprehensive eye care and contact lenses…

Learn more >

Dr. Stephanie Arlotti
Dr. Stephanie ArlottiM.D.
Dr. Arlotti is an experienced comprehensive Ophthalmologist…

Learn more >

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Harrisburg

Camp Hill

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