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Cataract Surgery in Waite Park

Offering Pre-Operative & Post-Operative Care

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.

An elderly woman with glasses hugging a man with a beard and gray hair in a room

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. Insight EyeCare - Waite Park 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.

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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.
Infographic showing the three steps of cataract surgery: removal of the diseased lens, insertion of the implant, and implantation of the new lens.
A smiling elderly man and woman are posing for a picture while standing close to each other

Cataract Surgery After-Care

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 Waite Park 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

Meet our Eye Doctors

Bennett Nelson
Bennett Nelson O.D.
Language: English

Dr. Nelson received his B.S. in biology from Western Illinois University in 1986. He then went on to complete his Doctor of Optometry at the Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, Indiana by 1991. Dr. Nelson joined a…

Whitney Welder
Whitney Welder O.D.

Whitney Welder, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from Drexel University. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Dr. Welder chose a career in optometry after experiencing firsthand how…

Melanie Thares
Melanie Thares O.D.

Melanie Thares, O.D., received her Doctor of Optometry from the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University. Dr. Thares is an…

Lanette Green
Lanette Green O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Lanette Green, O.D. received her Doctor of Optometry from Illinois College of Optometry in 2001 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Indiana University in 1996. Dr. Green's regular appointments with the eye doctor as a…

Alexander Paradis
Alexander Paradis O.D.
Language: English

Dr. Alexander W. Paradis is a member of the American Optometric Association and the Minnesota Optometric Association. He is certified by the National Board of Examiners in Optometry as a licensed therapeutic optometrist with strong…

Anna C. Malikowski
Anna C. Malikowski O.D.
Language: English
  • Accepting New Patients
  • Family Friendly
  • In Person Appointments
  • Professional Certification

Dr. Anna Malikowski is a member of the American Optometric Association, the Minnesota Optometric Association, and the American Optometric Society. She is board certified by the International Association of Board Examiners as a licensed…

Patient Reviews

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522 Reviews
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Lynel J. - Apr 28, 2026
Dr. Paradis is a wonderful eye doctor. I would recommend him to anyone.
cathy h. - Apr 13, 2026
Really superb customer service and eyeglass selection. Even adjusted a pair of eyeglasses we didn't ... buy there. Have purchased 4 pair of eyeglasses from here recently for the two of us. Savanna is great.

Your Cataract Surgery Co-Management Doctor in Waite Park

206 Division Street
Photograph of Bennett Nelson
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Superior Vision
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Want to see clearly again?

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

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