"Very professional and caring group of eye care providers. We have nothing but accolades for this entire group and their fine support staff as well."
John P.
"The staff was phenomenal and the results incredible!"
Jesse A.
"I couldnt ask for better service. I was made to feel like a VIP. I had all of my questions answered. Thanks to everyone for your kindness."
Douglas A.
"The Hughes Eye Group is a tremendous group of professionals. It was obvious that they care about the patient and that they are passionate about their work. I highly recommend Hughes Eye Group!"
Benny T.
"Everyone was very friendly and professional, from the receptionist to the doctor. I was seen at the time my appointment was scheduled, and all of my questions were answered."
Hughes Eye Group – Bringing LASER Cataract Treatment to West Tennessee
With a commitment to outstanding patient care and exceptional outcomes, Hughes Eye Group remains a trendsetter for advanced surgical technology in West Tennessee. Hughes Eye Group was proud to be the first to bring LASER CATARACT TREATMENT to the West Tennessee area in 2021. By combining LASIK technology with the advanced options of the cataract procedure, we provide a high level of precision in surgical eye care for our patients! Read more below about cataracts and treatment options available to you.
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens in the eye that causes a decrease in vision. Symptoms of cataracts include: a steady decline in vision, difficulty seeing while driving at night, problems with glare, difficulty reading road signs or small print, or difficulty with balance and motility. If a cataract has progressed, your local eye doctor may mention to you that a change in glasses will no longer help your vision. If this sounds familiar, a cataract examination with Hughes Eye Group may be the first step on your way to seeing better.
Cataract Evaluation and Testing
Prior to cataract treatment, a detailed examination is necessary with one of the Hughes Eye Group doctors. At this visit, we utilize state of the art technology to obtain measurements of the eye for lens implant selection as well as to evaluate the health of your eye. This examination helps determine your vision potential. We will determine if you are a candidate for surgery, discuss vision goals, and choose a treatment plan that is best for you to achieve these goals.
Cataract Treatment
Cataract treatment is one of the safest, most successful surgeries done in the United States each year. The goal of the cataract procedure is to dissolve the cloudy lens in the eye and replace it with a new, clear implant. There has never been a better time than now to have cataract treatment. Advanced technology and cutting edge innovations have significantly improved visual outcomes in recent years. Now, patients have the option to combine advanced lens implants with the precision of LASER treatment to achieve customizable results.
Advantages of LASER Cataract Surgery
Laser guided processes provide a high level of accuracy to any field. As for the cataract procedure, the LenSx femtosecond laser is beneficial in several aspects of the surgical process. For instance, the laser breaks up the cataract prior to the surgeon entering the eye, making removal of the lens more gentle and faster than ever before. Next, the laser creates precise incisions to aid in centration of the lens implant within the eye. These incisions also fine tune astigmatism correction leading to a reduction in glasses prescription. Hughes Eye Group is one of the few practices in the state of Tennessee with a seamless surgical platform syncing in-office measurements with technology in the operating room. This platform creates an image guided customized surgical plan for each patient choosing laser technology.
Advanced Lens Implants
Many patients choose to not only treat the cataract but also reduce glasses prescription with a customized procedure. We offer several lens options to correct distance vision (driving, TV, outdoor activities), intermediate vision (dashboard, computer) and near vision (reading, viewing your phone). Depending on your vision goals, we will determine which implant is best for you. By choosing advanced cataract treatment, you now have the ability to choose how you want to see after your procedure!
Medically necessary cataract surgery includes removal of the cataract, a basic implant, and manual surgery techniques. It is important to note that advanced lens implants and customized laser cataract treatment involve out of pocket costs. Hughes Eye Group offers convenient financing options to let you invest in one of your greatest assets – your eyesight!
Cataract FAQs
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens of the eye that affects vision. There are different types of cataracts, some slow growing and others fast growing. Most people have a cataract in both eyes, and often one cataract may be worse than the other. Some people with cataracts don’t even know it; however, their glasses prescription may be changing frequently over time. Others cannot see well enough to perform normal activities of daily life.
I've been told I have a cataract, now what?
If glasses or contact lenses no longer improve vision, you may be a candidate for cataract surgery. A full medical/surgical evaluation is required prior to your surgery by Dr. Hughes, Dr. Davis, Dr. Nordtvedt, Dr. McCarty, Dr. Indrakanti, or Dr. Underwood. There will be a number of advanced tests completed to determine if cataract surgery is in your best interest and if you are within your insurance’s guidelines. Plan on spending approximately two hours with us for your appointment and testing. Your eyes will be dilated during a cataract evaluation. Many patients find it helpful to bring a family member with them to help during the exam and with surgery scheduling.
How do you treat cataracts?
A cataract is removed by a special form of ultrasound called phacoemulsification. After the cloudy lens is removed, a small implant, called an intraocular lens (IOL), is put in its place. In a healthy eye, typical cataract surgery is a quick procedure and no stitches are required. Cataracts do not grow back; however, it is common for the capsule around the lens implant to develop a haze as the eye heals. If this haze causes a decrease in vision, a quick and simple laser procedure, or a yag capsulotomy, may be done in the office to return clear vision.
What are the advantages of LASER Cataract Surgery?
In 2021, Hughes Eye Group introduced Laser Cataract Surgery to Jackson, Tennessee. The LenSx femtosecond laser brings a new level of precision to the cataract surgical process. Laser treatment is gentle, accurate, precise and is ideal in creating customized visual outcomes. During laser cataract surgery, the femtosecond laser breaks up the cataract prior to the surgeon entering the eye, creates precisely placed incisions, aids in centration of the lens implant within the eye, as well fine tunes astigmatism correction.
An intraocular lens implant (or IOL) is a small, clear artificial lens placed inside of the eye once the cataract is removed. Prior to surgery, specific measurements are required to determine the best type, power, and position of the lens implant. The implant is not replaced periodically, like a glasses prescription, so the decision of which implant is right for you is a very important one. The three most common implants are Standard, Toric (for astigmatism), or Multifocus (for a range of vision). Based on your in office measurements, your ocular health, and you vision goals, you doctor will help determine which option is best for you.
Astigmatism is not a disease; it relates to the shape or curvature of your eye. Astigmatism on the corneal surface of the eye is very common. Patients with very mild astigmatism may benefit from laser cataract surgery to decrease glasses. Patients with moderate to high astigmatism may require a Toric implant to drastically decrease the need for glasses at a distance (for driving or watching TV) after surgery. Usually, readers are necessary for near vision with a Toric implant or any implant set for distance. Toric implants and laser cataract surgery involve out of pocket costs. Your doctor will evaluate the curvature of your eye to determine which option to treat astigmatism is best for you.
I do not like wearing glasses. Which implant is best for me?
A Multifocus Implant (Symfony, PanOptix, or Vivity Lenses) provide a wide range of vision after cataract surgery. These Multifous Implants are combined with the precision of laser cataract surgery to fine tune your visual results. While there is no guarantee that this type of implant will eliminate glasses 100% of the time, it may be the best option for you to decrease the dependency on glasses after surgery. If you are a candidate for this type of implant, you may expect a range of vision from driving, to dashboard, to computer, to reading distances. Occasionally, a pair of readers may help with extremely fine print or in dim lighting conditions. Multifocus implants and laser cataract surgery involve out of pocket costs. Based on measurements of your eyes, health of your eyes, and expectations, your doctor will determine if you are a candidate for this implant.
The ORA system is used in the operating room to provide real-time measurements of the eye after the cataract is removed. The ORA real-time data allows your surgeon to make fine tune adjustments in lens power and positioning at the time of surgery. This technology provides more predictable visual outcomes, confirming that the chosen lens implant will provide the absolute best power possible for the eye. This technology is critical in lens power selection for patients who have had prior refractive surgery such as LASIK, PRK, or RK. If you desire the least prescription possible after surgery, you may be a candidate for ORA guided cataract surgery. The use of ORA technology involves out of pocket costs. Based on your in office measurements, your doctor will help determine if ORA technology is right for you.
LASIK surgery is not a treatment for cataracts. LASIK surgery can reduce your glasses prescription, but it will not eliminate the cloudy lens within the eye. If you are near or over the age of 60, or have been told by a previous eye doctor that you have cataracts, LASER Cataract Surgery may be an option for you. By combining the technology used in LASIK with the cataract surgery procedure, we can customize vision results to not only improve vision but greatly reduce your dependency on glasses.
Who is my surgeon?
Dr. David Underwood and Dr. Divya Indrakanti are the primary cataract surgeons at Hughes Eye Group. All of our doctors work together as a team to provide you with the best possible outcome with cataract surgery.
Where will my surgery be done?
Cataract surgery is an outpatient procedure done in a local hospital or surgery center. The Hughes Eye Group has surgical locations at West Tennessee Healthcare Surgery Center in Jackson, Baptist Memorial Hospital Carroll County in Huntingdon, Henderson County Hospital in Lexington, and Hardin County Medical Center in Savannah.
When will my surgery be done?
After a medical/surgical consultation with one of the Hughes Eye Group doctors, you will meet with our surgery counselor to provide a surgical date at your desired location. The counselor will review the guidelines of your insurance, what is required prior to surgery, expectations the day of surgery and after surgery care. You will be given a folder with all the information discussed.
How much will the surgery cost?
Cataract surgery is considered medically necessary as long as vision and complaints are within insurance guidelines. After all insurance requirements are met (such as deductibles and copayments), basic cataract surgery with a standard lens implant and manual surgery techniques are typically covered by medical insurance. Laser cataract and advanced cataract surgery are not covered by insurance. You will receive three different billing statements for cataract surgery: The Hughes Eye Group, the hospital/surgery center, and anesthesia. Any expected fees will be discussed with you at the time you schedule your surgery.
Hughes Eye Insurance Counselors: Our insurance counselors will assist you by explaining the benefits of your insurance. As a courtesy to you, we will verify your medical benefits to determine deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance and your other financial responsibilities prior to your surgery. As per insurance guidelines, all co-pays, deductibles and/or patient responsibility is collected in full prior to your planned cataract treatment. The surgical facility and anesthesia bill separately.
Will I need to use eyedrops for surgery?
To prevent infection and help the eye to heal properly, eyedrops are a necessary part of cataract surgery.
The Hughes Eye Group offers the LessDrops Formula for cataract surgery care. This formula combines three medications (antibiotic, steroid, and anti-inflammatory) into ONE SINGLE BOTTLE for ease of use. If both eyes are scheduled for surgery, you will require one bottle for each eye. This compounded medication is available for purchase at our office. Because the LessDrops single bottle formula is a compounded drug, is not available at local pharmacies.
You may wish to use your local pharmacy to purchase eyedrops. If so, three separate prescriptions (one for antibiotic, one for steroid, one for anti-inflammatory) will be sent to your pharmacy. The pharmacy will provided three separate bottles, with a refill for each if both eyes are scheduled for surgery.
Do my current medications affect cataract surgery?
Typically, no. However, we do need to know all medications that you take before scheduling surgery.
Warfarin/Plavix/Coumadin/Aspirin (Blood thinners) – Please inform our technician if you take any form of blood thinners. Most patients can continue blood thinners prior to and after surgery.
Flomax (Tamsulosin), alpha blockers or any generic form – Inform our technician if you are presently taking or have taken prostate or bladder medications. This will NOT prevent you from having cataract treatment, but will allow the surgeon to take extra precautions.
Glaucoma Eyedrops – In most cases, you will continue to use all glaucoma eyedrops before and after surgery. You doctor will discuss this at your evaluation.
What do I need to know for after surgery?
It is normal for your eye to be slightly red, sore, scratchy, or itchy for a few days after surgery. Due to dilation of the eye during surgery and potential for a small amount of swelling on the eye’s surface, it is not uncommon for the eye to be slightly blurry the first day after your procedure. Some patients notice a small “flicker” in the eye the first few days after surgery. The prescribed eyedrops are very important and to aid in healing and to prevent infection. Be sure to keep all follow-up visits with your doctor to monitor the eye as it heals.
Avoid rubbing or pressure on the operated eye for seven days.
Avoid water in the operated eye for seven days.
Tape eye shield over operated eye while sleeping for seven days.
Resume and/or continue all medications and drops you were taking before your procedure.
Resume normal activities and regular diet. You may read and watch TV.
Drops and medications: See the “Helpful Tools” below for printable instructions and checklists.
Keep all follow-up appointments. If you have any questions, please call (731) 664-1994 or (800) 945-1994
Carefully consider your surgical date before scheduling. Your surgery requires coordination of the surgeon, anesthesiologist, surgical team, operating facility, and your insurance. Rescheduling these procedures require significant time and expense for each of these entities. No-shows and late cancellations of surgical procedures also delay other patients from receiving much needed specialty care. Therefore, any surgery that is cancelled less than ten (10) days before surgery will only be rescheduled with the consent of our doctors.
It is standard of care to perform an ocular surgery within 90 days of an evaluation. If a surgery is rescheduled to a date >90 days from the office exam, you will require a repeat dilated office exam that may not be covered under your insurance policy. Due to the high demand of specialty care, scheduling a repeat office exam and a subsequent rescheduled surgery often result in a significant delay of care for you as the patient.
We understand that unavoidable circumstances arise that may force you to postpone your surgery. If you have a conflict with your surgical date, please call Hughes Eye Group at 731-664-1994 or email surgery@hugheseye.com. Please be patient with our staff as we work to coordinate a new date for your procedure.
Cataract Surgery FAQ
