The natural lens in your eye behind your iris is comprised of mostly water and protein. As we age, the protein starts to clump together and becomes cloudy. This cloudiness may eventually affect the vision as it blocks light from coming into the eye in order for us to see. Most cataracts develop slowly over time. It can take months or years for a cataract to affect the vision. Cataracts are a part of the aging process and affect everyone, sooner or later.
Symptoms of cataracts include: Blurred or dim vision, sensitivity to bright light, halos around lights, difficulty seeing at night, need for more light for things like reading, and more.
Cataract surgery is when the cloudy cataract is removed and a new man-made lens replaces it.
To remove your cataract, Dr. Khan makes a very small incision on the side of your cornea, approximately 2mm wide. He then uses an ultrasound to break apart the cataract lens inside the capsule and uses suction to remove it. The new lens is folded up and inserted into the same capsule in the eye. Dr. Khan unfolds the new lens and positions it within the capsule.
Check out some websites below from the American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), Canadian Ophthalmological Society, Fighting Blindness Canada, or the interactive website from Alcon.
Dr. Khan does not perform cataract surgery on both eyes at the same time. After the first eye, the second eye is done in about a month. Dr. Khan performs cataract surgery at the Victoria Hospital in Prince Albert. You must have someone to take you home from the hospital. You would be in the hospital for approximately 4 hours. The surgery itself takes about 15-30 minutes. As the surgery is done in Day Surgery, fasting is required starting at midnight the day before surgery. You are awake for the surgery. If you are nervous for your cataract surgery, please discuss options of sedation with Dr. Khan. Further information will be provided once a surgical date has been given.
After surgery your vision may be a bit blurry and light may be bright. Your eye may feel irritated or have a feeling like there is something in your eye. This can be normal with the incision healing and will pass in a few days. There will be a clear patch placed over your eye secured by tape. This patch must stay on for the first 24 hours, except for taking your eye drops, and will be removed when your are seen at Dr. Khan's office for your postoperative appointment. You must keep the patch for the next week and use it at night or during naps to prevent eye rubbing. No lifting over 10 lbs, bending over, washing floors, gardening, or otherwise straining your body (including constipation) for two (2) weeks.
Many people still need glasses after cataract surgery. It is recommended to get new glasses no sooner than six (6) weeks after cataract surgery.
Dr. Khan needs to assess your eyes and make a plan with you before you can be booked for surgery.
Cataract referrals require at least two (2) appointments before surgery can be booked. Every person (and eye) is different! Please bring your prescription glasses (if applicable). It is important to discontinue contact lens use prior to your appointment. If you wear soft contact lenses, please ensure you have stopped wearing them at least two (2) weeks prior to every appointment. For rigid contact lens, please ensure you have stopped wearing them at least six (6) weeks prior to every appointment. If you have had LASIK in the past, please bring your pre-operative keratometry card. Once placed on the waitlist for surgery, as of March 2026, the surgical wait time is less than two (2) months.
Our office does not offer direct billing to insurance.
If you have options for premium intraocular lens (IOL) to replace your cataract and want to explore financing, our office is registered with Medicard.