Cataract Surgery in Knoxville & East Tennessee
Understanding Cataracts
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye. This lens, located behind the iris and pupil, works like a camera lens to focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. When a cataract develops, the lens becomes opaque, causing vision to become blurry, hazy, or less colorful.
Cataracts are extremely common, especially as we age. By age 80, more than half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery. While cataracts are typically associated with aging, they can also result from injury, certain medications, or other medical conditions like diabetes.
Symptoms of Cataracts
Common signs and symptoms of cataracts include:
- Clouded, blurred, or dim vision
- Increasing difficulty with vision at night
- Sensitivity to light and glare
- Seeing halos around lights
- Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription
- Fading or yellowing of colors
- Double vision in one eye
Cataract Treatment Options
In the early stages, cataracts may be managed with stronger lighting, anti-glare sunglasses, or updated eyeglass prescriptions. However, when cataracts begin to significantly interfere with daily activities, surgery is the only effective treatment.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and safest surgical procedures performed today. During surgery, the clouded natural lens is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens called an intraocular lens (IOL). The procedure typically takes less than an hour and is performed on an outpatient basis.
Our Approach to Cataract Care
At Tennessee Eye Care, our experienced ophthalmologists provide comprehensive cataract care, from initial diagnosis through surgery and follow-up care. We use the latest technology and techniques to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.
If you're experiencing symptoms of cataracts, schedule an appointment with our team at one of our East Tennessee locations. We'll perform a thorough evaluation and discuss all your treatment options to help you see clearly again.
Our Cataract Specialists
Cataract surgery at Tennessee Eye Care is performed by our ophthalmologists:
- Dr. Thomas Browning, MD – Harriman, Lenoir City, Morristown, Powell
- Dr. Matthew Lowrance, DO – Knoxville, Lenoir City, Morristown, Powell
- Dr. Sullivan Smoak, MD – Harriman, Knoxville, Lenoir City, Morristown, Powell
Care from neighbors, not strangers
We live and practice in East Tennessee. Our ophthalmologists and optometrists are locally based, so the people treating your eyes are the same people you see at the grocery store — and every office runs on the same standard of care.
Available at all five Tennessee Eye Care clinics:
Not sure which is closest? Compare all our locations.