Cataract Surgery in Pittsburgh

Cataract Surgery in Pittsburgh

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

(412) 884-2020

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

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.

Woman smiling

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.


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.

Patient Reviews
4.5
160 Reviews
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- Jul. 18, 2024
Everyone was so friendly and efficient Very personable staff and doctors
- Jul. 10, 2024
Dr. Mehalik is very nice as are the staff. Only problem is when you try to call them, no one answer... s. What if you have an issue?
- Jun. 18, 2024
Highest recommendations for Dr. Bittel. Been here for 20 years and am a regular patient of Dr R. and... Dr M. Bittel. Very helpful in tracking a potential eye problem to ensure it is caught and treated if it worsens. Lessons the worry and stress on my part knowing they are actively monitoring to ensure it does not worsen.
- Jun. 13, 2024
Dr. Nault is a good, nice and friendly Doctor. The staff is great too.
- Jun. 07, 2024
Bittel Vision is great. The doctor Bittels are both fantastic. Everyone that works there is really n... ice and helpful. It's a good environment. I'd recommend it to anyone
- Jun. 02, 2024
Highly recommend Dr. Mehalik. She was sweet and caring while listening to concerns and using her pro... fessional opinion to get me what I needed. Thank you!
- May. 09, 2024
Excellent service, friendly and respectful staff. Roxanne is an asset to the business. Highly recom... mend.
- May. 02, 2024
I've been going to Bittel Vision for 27 years and will continue forever!!
- Apr. 30, 2024
My mom fell n destroyed her glasses Roxanne was so helpful and kind. Took the time to look up my mom... s name. Will get back to me snd offered to help find a fast place to get new glasses since mom is in the hospital and needs them. Outstanding customer service especially since it’s been 6 years that she was seen !!
- Apr. 01, 2024
Everyone is nice and efficient
- Mar. 06, 2024
I love getting my exam here. I just had dr. Mihalek hook me up with some contacts (nicely rebated) a... nd even adjusted my script so that my left and right are the same strength. Some a$$hole doctors frown upon this, but she was like, I get it, sometimes you get a pair mixed up and it’s hard to keep changing them to figure out which belongs where. Also, I didn’t want to have my pupes dialated (more like violated) because I need to drive tonight and she was cool once again and said we’ll, we can go there next time, then she did a quick look with a magnifying mirror just to make sure my poor decisions in life don’t allow me to go blind. Now that’s a good one there. A doctor that listens to you and then makes a compromise with you while still keeping u safe. Dr. Mihalek is very 😎! -Marc
- Mar. 03, 2024
My favorite eye care specialist to see. Life long patient.
- Feb. 07, 2024
showes concern regarding my issues.
- Jan. 25, 2024
Been going here since I was a kid. Love Bittel Optical.
- Jan. 23, 2024
Excellent service
- Jan. 09, 2024
Had a great experience visiting for an eye check and new glasses.
- Dec. 29, 2023
Dr. Mehalik and the entire staff made me feel very comfortable and very well informed about my eye h... ealth.
- Dec. 28, 2023
Convenient, friendly staff and short wait times.
- Dec. 27, 2023
Good Eye Care And Good Service…. Very Personable As Well. 🙏🙌🏼 @gothhopromeo
- Dec. 27, 2023
Everyone, from the staff to the doctor, was very kind and friendly. They really cares about me as a ... patient and I had a great experience.

View All 160 Reviews

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

Want to see clearly again?

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

(412) 884-2020

Senior woman