Cataracts
Early detection, clear guidance, and trusted referrals, so you can protect your vision with confidence.
Most medical insurance accepted
Clear Vision Shouldn't Fade
Cataracts develop when the eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy, often causing blurred vision, glare, halos, and more difficulty reading or driving at night.
During your comprehensive eye exam, we look closely at the lens of the eye and monitor changes over time. If cataracts begin to affect your daily vision, we explain what is happening and help you understand when surgery may be worth considering.
What We Screen For
During your routine eye exam, we assess for signs of cataract formation and related visual changes, including:
Clouding of the eye’s natural lens
Changes in contrast sensitivity and glare
Difficulty with night driving or bright lights
Impact on daily visual tasks
Cataracts typically progress gradually. Regular screening helps us track changes over time and determine when treatment or referral may be appropriate.
Trusted Surgical Partners
Cataract surgery is only recommended when vision changes begin to interfere with your quality of life. If and when surgery becomes appropriate, our doctors take an active role in guiding the referral process.
All referrals from Solaire Vision are carefully screened and physician-selected. We work only with highly trusted surgical partners to ensure our patients receive exceptional care, clear communication, and the best possible outcomes.
This commitment applies to all referrals, not just cataract surgery. Your care never leaves our hands, even when another specialist is involved.
When It's Time to Take a Closer Look
Night Driving Feels Harder
Headlights, glare, halos, or low-light conditions can become more difficult as cataracts progress.
Vision Looks Cloudy
If your vision feels dim, hazy, yellowed, or less crisp than it used to, cataracts may be affecting how light passes through the eye.
Glasses Help Less
When prescription updates no longer make vision feel clear enough, it may be time to talk about whether cataracts are playing a larger role.
Daily Life Feels Affected
Cataract treatment is usually considered when vision changes begin to interfere with reading, driving, work, hobbies, or independence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there anything I can do to help prevent cataracts?
You can’t stop cataracts completely as they’re a natural part of aging. That said, UV exposure plays a role. Wearing quality sunglasses, avoiding smoking, and keeping up with your annual eye exams can help protect your long-term eye health.
Fun fact: in North America, cataracts are more common in the left eye because that side gets more sun exposure while driving. In countries where drivers sit on the opposite side of the car, the pattern flips.
Is there a cure for cataracts?
The only true treatment for cataracts is cataract surgery. The good news is that cataract surgery is one of the most common and successful procedures performed today. If your cataracts reach the point where surgery makes sense, we’ll refer you to a trusted surgeon and guide you through the next step.
Is cataract surgery painful?
Most patients are awake during cataract surgery, but the eye is numbed and the procedure is usually comfortable. You may feel some pressure and see bright lights, but significant pain is not typical. Our surgical partners take comfort seriously and will walk you through what to expect before the procedure.
Do you accept insurance for cataract evaluations?
Yes. Cataracts are assessed as part of your annual eye exam, which is typically billed through vision insurance. Our team can help review your expected benefits before your visit whenever possible.
Which locations offer cataract evaluations?
Annual eye exams, which include cataract assessments, are available at both our Herndon and Oakton locations. We regularly care for patients from Reston, Fairfax, Vienna, Tysons, Chantilly, and surrounding Northern Virginia communities.
Ready for Clearer Vision?
Schedule your annual eye exam to check for cataracts and understand the right next steps for your vision.
Most insurance plans accepted