Cataract Surgery in Pittsburgh

Cataract Surgery in Pittsburgh

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

Schedule Eye Exam

Don’t Let Cataracts Cloud Your Vision

Over 50% of people aged 65 and older have a cataract in one or both eyes. As the cataract progresses, vision deteriorates, leading to a decreased quality of life. Fortunately, cataract surgery can easily treat this condition.

Senior couple smiling

What Are Cataracts?

Cataracts are cloudy patches that develop on the lens of your eye. Cataracts can cause blurred or double vision, may increase light sensitivity and interfere with driving, especially at night. Without cataract surgery, millions of people around the world would be unable to see clearly.

The most common symptoms include:
  • Blurred or double vision
  • Trouble seeing at night
  • Sensitivity to glare
  • Colored halos around lights
  • Colors appearing more faded
  • Requiring brighter light for reading

Book an Eye Exam Today

When to Get Cataract Surgery

As we evaluate your eye health and vision, we'll carefully examine your lens for signs of cataract formation. If a cataract is detected and the clouding is causing visual disruption, our optometrist will refer you to a trusted surgeon for cataract surgery. Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village will be there for you, providing pre and post cataract surgery care.

As the condition begins to seriously impair your vision and adversely affects your daily life, impacting your ability to read, drive, watch TV or recognize faces, you should seriously consider surgery.

Eye with cataracts

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Specialist in Pittsburgh

Our optometry practice in Pittsburgh

Photograph of Robert Bittel
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 7:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

Benefits of Cataract Surgery

  • High success rate

    Cataract surgery, one of the world’s most commonly performed surgeries, has a 95% success rate.

  • Quick and convenient

    This procedure can take just 30 to 45 minutes in an outpatient setting or hospital.

  • Prevents other eye problems

    Removing cataracts can reduce the risk of eye inflammation and pressure inside the eye–a leading cause of glaucoma.

  • Rapid recovery time

    Patients start seeing more clearly within a few days. Colors may seem brighter thanks to the new, clear lens.

Patient Reviews
4.4
92 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Aug. 27, 2023
My family has been going to Dr. Bittel for years. He does an excellent job and his staff is professi... onal. Strongly recommend.
- Aug. 06, 2023
Friendly staff. No long waits.
- May. 25, 2023
Professional, thorough and friendly.
- May. 25, 2023
Excellent care from Dr. Robert Bittel and his staff.
- May. 03, 2023
I've been going to Drs Bittel for over a decade, and I couldn't imagine going anywhere else! The st... aff is always extremely friendly and professional, and they have a wide selection of eyewear to choose from. Super excited to go pick up my new glasses today!!!
- Apr. 17, 2023
Great people giving great services and products
- Mar. 11, 2023
We always have a positive experience. The staff is friendly and helpful.
- Feb. 27, 2023
Excellent service and very professional doctor, my 3 years old son was so comfortable during his app... ointment. Very recommended!
- Feb. 25, 2023
Dr Bittel was so kind and professional towards my 90 year old father. Thoroughly examined his eyes a... nd spoke kindly to him.
- Feb. 10, 2023
Dr Bittle diagnosed me with wet macula degeneration and made an appointment for me at Retina Vision ... Services for the next day for treatment.He is responsible for preserving my vision in my left eye and I readily recommend him to everyone .j
- Dec. 27, 2022
I've been going here for many years and I have always been treated very nicely.The staff is very pro... fessional and Doctor Bittel is awesome!
- Dec. 17, 2022
Was at Bittel yesterday for a glasses adjustment. The off-putting slant of my glasses was driving m... e nuts. Carol immediately knew what was wrong and adjusted the glasses so they are perfect now. Thanks Carol for your care and professionalism!
- Oct. 01, 2022
My 90 year old Mother is a patient. There was a problem when she went to pick up her new glasses and... they weren't correct. She was very upset, stuff like that tends to extremely overwhelm her now that she is older. Jen was awesome, put her at ease, solved the problem and got them correctly reordered. She was kind and compassionate and cool which meant a lot to my mother. She couldn't say enough about Jen and how nicely she was treated. Thank you!
- Jul. 14, 2022
I have been a patient of Dr. Bittel’s for many years. I highly recommend him because he is so know... ledgeable, professional and caring. My appointment went so smooth as I had a couple issues, he always takes his time and is so thorough. The staff is awesome too!!!
- Feb. 03, 2022
Great service, excellent staff, and doctors that care about their patients.
- Nov. 11, 2021
Nothing but possitve visits at Bittel Vision Care Center! The Doctor's and staff are so friendly and... professional. Love the assistance I receive when choosing eyeglasses! Top notch all the way!
- Nov. 09, 2021
I have major eye issues including Thyroid Eye Disease. The doctors and nurses are amazing. They ar... e patient and caring. They did not rush me through trying on several brands of contacts to find just the right ones. Highly recommend Bittel Optical!
- Sep. 06, 2021
Dr Bob and Dr Matt are always punctual, professional and compassionate.
- Sep. 06, 2021
My family and I have been patients of Dr. Robert P. Bittel for 30+ years, a testament to his great d... iagnostics and friendly staff. This is a local business not a chain. The owners work there and understand patient's needs and requirements. They have always done their best to accommodate my family. Their response to an emergency is fast and reassuring.
- Sep. 01, 2021
I recently had cataract surgery and Dr. Bittel did the pre and post care. He not only recommended... an excellent surgeon his post care was tremendous. He found treatments to enhance my recovery that the surgeon was unaware of. My recovery has been excellent because of his care.

View All 92 Reviews

How to Prepare for Cataract Surgery

  • Apply antibiotic or anti-inflammatory eyedrops a few days before surgery if instructed to by your eye doctor
  • Arrange for a ride after the surgery, since you won’t be able to drive
  • Wash your face in the morning of the procedure and don’t wear eye makeup, strong perfumes or aftershave

What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract surgery removes your natural cloudy lens and replaces it with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL) to improve and restore vision. This common and very safe procedure is performed by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) on an outpatient basis.

  • The eye surgeon (ophthalmologist) will perform cataract surgery on one eye at a time. That means that you will come in for another surgery on the second eye. The procedure is brief and typically takes 30 to 45 minutes to complete.
  • The eye doctor will place drops into your eyes to numb them and dilate your pupils. Though you’ll be conscious during the procedure, you may be offered a sedative to help you remain calm. The eye surgeon will then remove your natural lens and replace it with the IOL. You should feel no pain or discomfort thanks to the anesthetic.
What Happens During Cataract Surgery

Cataract Surgery After-Care

Senior couple with glasses

After surgery, you may feel a bit drowsy as an after-effect of the sedative. Your eye doctor will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection, inflammation and to reduce pressure within your eye. The surgeon may recommend that you wear an eye patch for a few days after your surgery and the protective shield when you sleep during the recovery period. Make sure to avoid rubbing your eyes or touching them unless necessary.

A day after cataract surgery, we'll provide a post-operative eye exam to make sure that all is well. Your Pittsburgh optometrist will further perform a series of follow-up exams in the weeks and months to come. If determined that you require corrective lenses following your cataract surgery, we'll make sure you get the proper prescription.


Cataract Surgery Management FAQs

What are side effects of cataract surgery?

While side effects are rare, there are some issues that people commonly encounter in the days after surgery, as the eyes heal.

  • Dry eye
  • Feeling that something is in the eye
  • Blurry vision
  • Light sensitivity

If any of these side effects do not subside within a week or two, please contact Bittel Vision Care Center - Caste Village.

Can I delay cataract surgery

You can delay cataract surgery, but keep in mind that your vision will likely worsen the longer you put off the procedure.

When is cataract surgery not recommended?

Cataract patients who also have age-related macular degeneration or retinal detachment may not respond well to cataract surgery and the new lens may not correct vision.

Can cataract surgery give me 20/20 vision?

If you had great vision before developing cataracts, it’s likely that cataract surgery will restore your sight. Moreover, the IOL inserted into your eye can be designed to correct refractive errors, providing you with clear vision.


Want to see clearly again?

Contact us today for pre-operative and post-operative care

Schedule Eye Exam

Senior woman