Are you struggling with blurry or dim vision that’s holding you back from everyday life? Cataracts are common, but advanced surgery makes clear sight safer than ever. At Desert Vision Center, Dr. Keith Tokuhara uses cutting-edge technology to restore clarity, helping patients regain independence and enjoy reading, driving, golfing, and life’s everyday moments again.
Cataract Treatment
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What Are Cataracts?
At Desert Vision Center, we specialize in restoring clarity to lives clouded by cataracts. A cataract is a natural part of aging where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, dimming your vision and your daily experiences. Often, patients often don’t realize how much vibrancy they’ve lost until their vision is restored.
Development of a cataract can take several months to years. Some patients may not even be aware that they suffer from cataracts. Others may not be able to see well enough to perform daily activities such as reading, driving, or golfing.
Advanced Lens Implants
At Desert Vision Center, we personalize every vision plan, offering advanced lenses and surgery options to reduce dependence on glasses.
Secondary Lens Placement (Yamane Technique)
For patients with lens loss, damage, or dislocation, a new secondary lens can often be implanted. This allows us to restore focus, improve vision, and provide renewed clarity depending on eye health.
Depending on the health and condition of the eye after trauma, there may be surgical options to implant a new lens, such as securing the lens into position without sutures with intrascleral haptic fixation (Yamane Technique).
Can a Lens Implant be Redone?
Yes, a lens implant can be removed and replaced. However, this procedure is usually rare unless there is a problem with the implanted lens. Once an intraocular lens is planted, it is meant to be permanent. A lens implant is usually only redone if the IOL functions at an incorrect power or if the position shifts.
Can a Lens Implant Come Loose?
In very uncommon cases, yes, an intraocular lens can become dislocated. Although this is extremely rare, and if this does occur, a surgeon can put it back in its place quite easily. You may not notice any pain if your IOL becomes dislocated. However, if you experience any blurry, unfocused, or loss of vision, contact your doctor immediately.
Can Intraocular Lenses Fail?
While intraocular lenses can become dislocated, they are designed not to be replaced. Therefore, you can expect your IOL to not break down over your lifetime and will, more than likely, never need to be replaced. If need be, you can exchange your implants for another pair.
What Our Cataract Surgery
Patients Say
Sra. Sifuentes Cuenta Su Historia: Cirugía...
Kaire talks about her cataract experience.
Dr. Tokuhara’s patients talk about their...
Frequently Asked Questions:
Cataracts
Cataracts develop gradually and may go unnoticed until they begin to interfere with daily activities such as reading, driving, or enjoying desert sunsets. Common symptoms include:
- Glare
- Halos around lights
- Sensitivity to light
- Clouding or blurring of vision
- Poor night vision
- Frequent changes in glasses or contact lens prescriptions
- Fading or yellowing of colors
The only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures worldwide. At Desert Vision Center, Dr. Tokuhara offers a customized surgical approach using state-of-the-art technology, including:
- Advanced Technology Intraocular Lenses (IOLs) such as the PanOptix Pro for enhanced vision outcomes
- Intraoperative Aberrometry (ORA) for precise intra-surgery measurements
- LenSx Femtosecond Laser for ultra-accurate lens removal and astigmatism management
The procedure is typically performed as an outpatient surgery and usually lasts about 10-15 minutes.
While cataracts are a natural part of aging and cannot always be fully prevented, there are several effective steps you can take to reduce your risk or delay their development:
- Protect your eyes from UV rays by wearing sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays whenever you’re outdoors.
- Maintain a healthy diet rich in antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, leafy greens, and fruits, which support eye health.
- Avoid smoking, as it significantly increases the risk of cataracts.
- Manage chronic health conditions such as diabetes, which can accelerate cataract formation.
- Limit steroid use unless prescribed and monitored by your doctor, since prolonged use can contribute to cataracts.
- Get regular comprehensive eye exams to monitor eye health and catch early signs of cataracts or other conditions.
By adopting these healthy habits and protecting your eyes, you can help preserve clear vision and potentially delay the onset of cataracts.
Before cataract surgery, a thorough pre-operative evaluation is conducted to ensure the best possible outcomes and safety. During this visit, Dr. Tokuhara and the team will:
- Perform comprehensive eye measurements: This includes measuring the curvature of your cornea, the length of your eye, and the size of your pupil. These measurements help determine the most accurate intraocular lens (IOL) power for your vision correction.
- Assess overall eye health: Dr. Tokuhara will examine your retina, cornea, and other eye structures to rule out any other conditions that could affect surgery or recovery.
- Discuss your lifestyle and vision goals: This helps guide the choice of lens implants, including premium options like multifocal or toric IOLs to reduce dependence on glasses.
- Review your medical history and medications: Certain medications or health conditions may require adjustments prior to surgery.
- Provide detailed instructions: You’ll receive guidance on fasting, medication use, and review final preparations for surgery.
On the day of surgery, you will first enter the pre-operative staging area, where our experienced nursing team will prepare you for the procedure. They will dilate your eyes, start an IV, and ensure you’re comfortable and ready for surgery. This careful preparation helps make the entire process smooth and stress-free.
During surgery, the cloudy natural lens of the eye is removed and replaced with a clear artificial lens implant (IOL). There are several types of lens implants available, including advanced lens implant options that can improve vision at multiple distances and allow for less reliance on glasses after surgery. Dr. Tokuhara will discuss all lens options with you to choose the best fit for your lifestyle and vision goals.
Yes. At Desert Vision Center, we offer CLEAR in a Day — a proprietary method that allows safe, bilateral cataract surgery on the same day. This convenient approach reduces the number of office visits while delivering premium visual results.
At Desert Vision Center, our custom approach ensures continuous care from Dr. Tokuhara himself, from your initial consultation through the entire recovery process.
After your cataract surgery, you will be taken to the post-operative recovery unit where our caring nursing staff will monitor you closely as you wake from the procedure. During this time, a nurse will review your personalized post-operative care instructions, including medication use, activity restrictions, and signs to watch for.
Once cleared, you’ll be able to go home the same day with a detailed plan to support your healing. Most patients notice sharper, brighter vision within the first day and can gradually return to their normal daily activities quickly, while following all care instructions to optimize healing and visual outcomes.
Advancements like intraoperative aberrometry (ORA) allow Dr. Tokuhara to customize cataract surgery for each patient with unmatched precision. The LenSx femtosecond laser softens the cataract before removal and enables precise correction of astigmatism with laser incisions, improving overall visual results.
Attention Patients
Dear Valued Patients of Desert Vision Center,
Dr. Tokuhara is a highly skilled cataract surgeon, specializing in advanced anterior segment surgeries, including complex glaucoma and cataract procedures. He focuses on patients who need surgical intervention or are at risk of severe vision loss.
While Dr. Tokuhara offers comprehensive eye care for his own surgical patients, he does not provide general eye care or post-operative care for patients of other surgeons. When you choose Dr. Tokuhara, he becomes your trusted eye doctor for life. A Note About Ethical Care
In our community, some providers engage in illegal financial kickbacks accepting payments for cataract surgery referrals. Desert Vision Center firmly rejects this unethical practice. We follow the highest ethical standards, complying with the Anti-Kickback Statute and Stark Law, ensuring that your care in never influenced by financial incentives.
We believe referrals should always be based on what’s best for the patient—not financial gain. If you’re being evaluated for cataract surgery, we encourage you to ask questions and be mindful of these referral arrangements.
Choose the surgeon who prioritizes your vision and your well-being—not one chosen for someone else’s profit.
Sincerely,
Desert Vision Center