Cataract Surgery | Collingwood Optometry

What You Need to Know About Cataract Surgery

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of gradual vision changes, often developing slowly enough that people adapt without realizing how much clarity they have lost. Cataract surgery is a highly effective procedure that removes this clouded lens and replaces it with a clear artificial lens, helping restore clearer, more functional vision.

If you are noticing changes in your vision or have been told you have cataracts, a detailed assessment with our team can help determine where things stand and what your options are. Book a consultation to discuss your cataract evaluation and next steps.

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What Is a Cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which sits just behind the iris and helps focus light onto the retina. When the lens becomes cloudy, light can no longer pass through it clearly, which leads to symptoms such as blurry, hazy, or dim vision.

In many cases, cataracts develop slowly over time, so vision changes can be subtle at first. People often notice increased glare, difficulty with night driving, or a general reduction in clarity and contrast.

What Causes Cataracts?

Cataracts can develop for a variety of reasons, including:

Age-related changes (most common)
Diabetes
Long-term steroid use
Eye trauma
UV light exposure
Genetic factors

Most cataracts are related to the natural aging process of the eye.

What Is Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery is a procedure performed by an ophthalmologist to remove the cloudy natural lens and replace it with a clear artificial intraocular lens.

Performed under local anesthesia
Typically takes 10 to 15 minutes per eye
Usually done one eye at a time
In some cases, both eyes may be done separately over time

When Is Cataract Surgery Covered by OHIP?

Cataract surgery is covered by OHIP when the cataract is considered functionally significant, meaning it is affecting daily visual tasks. This may include difficulty with:

Driving, especially at night or with glare
Reading
Work-related visual tasks

Visual acuity is often reduced, commonly around 20/30 or worse, but acuity alone is not the only factor considered.

When Cataract Surgery Is Not Covered

Cataract surgery is not covered by OHIP when:

Vision is still functionally adequate
The cataract is mild or early
The primary goal is to reduce dependence on glasses
The goal is to improve visual quality beyond medical necessity

In these cases, surgery may be considered refractive lens exchange, also known as RLE.

This is:

Performed in private surgical centres
Not covered by OHIP
Typically ranges from $4,000 to $7,000 per eye
Cost varies based on lens type, surgeon, and surgical centres

Pre-Surgical Measurements and Testing

Before cataract surgery, precise measurements of the eye are required to determine the correct intraocular lens power.

OHIP Covered Testing:

Ultrasound biometry (A scan)

Uses sound waves to measure eye length
Used when cataracts are too dense for optical scanning
Considered the standard insured method

Optional Upgrade (Not Covered):

Optical biometry, such as IOLMaster or Lenstar

Uses laser-based technology
Higher precision and reproducibility
Especially useful for premium lenses or post-refractive surgery eyes
Typically $100 to $300 per eye

Your Intraocular Lens Options

*Note the costs below are approximate and represent costs for cataract surgery. Not RLE

	Cost Per Eye	Distance Correction	Intermediate Correction	Near Correction	Astigmatism
Monofocal Implant*	Covered by OHIP	✅	X	X	X
Aspheric Monofocal*	$1000+	✅	X	X	X
Monofocal Toric	$3000	✅	X	X	✅
Extended Depth of Focus	$3500	✅	✅	X	✅
Multifocal or Continuous Range	$4000	✅	✅	✅	✅
Light Adjustable	$5000	✅	✅	*This Can be Adjusted	✅

*Additional differentiators are outlined further down the page.
** This pricing reflects 2026 estimates and may vary by surgeon/practice. These prices are subject to change.

Patients with certain eye conditions, such as macular degeneration or significant dry eye, may not be ideal candidates for extended depth of focus (EDOF) or multifocal intraocular lenses. These lens types rely on a healthy retina and a stable tear film to provide the best visual quality.

In some cases, patients with mild or well-controlled dry eye or very early retinal changes may still be considered on a case-by-case basis after careful assessment. In general, when there is uncertainty, a monofocal lens is often recommended because it provides more predictable and consistent visual results.

It is also important to understand that even with multifocal lenses, glasses may still be needed in certain situations, such as night driving or reading in low light.

Monofocal vs Aspheric Monofocal: The Core Difference (Clinically)

Both lenses give similar visual acuity, but aspheric lenses improve visual quality, not range.

Feature	Standard Monofocal	Aspheric Monofocal
Focal Points	One	One
Spherical Aberration	Adds Some	Reduces/Neutralizes
Contrast Sensitivity	Baseline	Improved
Night Vision Quality	Good	Slightly Better
Glasses Independence	No	No

Dry Eye and Cataract Surgery

Having a healthy ocular surface is an important part of preparing for cataract surgery. Dry eye can affect the accuracy of pre-surgical measurements and may influence visual outcomes after surgery.

For this reason, many ophthalmologists recommend treating dry eye before cataract surgery whenever possible. Surgery can also temporarily worsen dry eye symptoms during the healing period, making pre-surgical management an important step.

Post-Operative Care and Surgical Outcomes

After cataract surgery, all follow-up care during the initial recovery period, typically the first two weeks, is managed by the ophthalmologist performing the procedure. During this time, care is not transferred back to the referring optometrist.

Cataract surgery is highly successful, but the best outcomes depend on accurate measurements, healthy ocular surface conditions, and appropriate lens selection. Addressing dry eye before surgery can help improve measurement accuracy and support a more comfortable recovery.

Book Your Consultation Today

If you have been diagnosed with cataracts or are noticing changes in your vision, a comprehensive eye examination can help determine your next steps and whether cataract surgery is appropriate.

Book an appointment to discuss your cataract evaluation and treatment options.

Book Appointment