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Cataract Evaluation & Second Opinion · Chandler, AZ

Considering cataract surgery? Get an independent evaluation first.

Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS performed cataract surgery for decades — Columbia trained, Harvard fellowship, double board certified, 45+ years in ophthalmology. Today he does not operate on cataracts, and that is precisely what makes his evaluation useful: the doctor telling you whether you need surgery is not the one being paid to perform it. We evaluate, advise on lens options, coordinate referral when surgery is warranted, and handle your care afterward.

Schedule a Cataract Evaluation Call (480) 590-0505
Second Opinions Welcome Columbia Trained · Harvard Fellowship Double Board-Certified Medicare Accepted Bilingual EN/ES
Already Been Told You Need Surgery?

A second opinion from someone who isn't performing the surgery.

Cataract surgery is one of the most successful operations in medicine. It is also one of the most commonly recommended — and premium lens upgrades can add thousands of dollars that insurance does not cover.

If you have been told it is time, or quoted a figure that gave you pause, an independent evaluation is worth an hour of your time. Dr. Lu has no financial interest in whether you have surgery, when you have it, or which lens you choose. He will tell you plainly whether he agrees with the recommendation, whether the timing makes sense for how you actually live, and whether the lens being proposed is worth what it costs.

Sometimes the answer is yes, proceed. Sometimes it is wait another year. Either way, you will know why.

What to Bring

  • Your surgical recommendation or consultation notes
  • Any IOL quote or upgrade pricing you were given
  • Current glasses and prescription
  • A complete list of medications
  • A driver — your eyes will be dilated
What is a Cataract?

A clouding of the lens — and one of the most successful surgeries in medicine.

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside your eye — the clear structure that sits behind your iris and focuses light onto your retina. With age, the proteins in the lens slowly break down and clump together, scattering light and creating a cloudy effect. Vision gradually becomes blurrier, glare becomes more bothersome, and colors begin to look faded or yellowed.

The encouraging part: cataract surgery is one of the most successful surgical procedures in all of medicine. More than 3 million cataract procedures are performed each year in the United States, and the vast majority of patients achieve dramatically improved vision with very low complication rates.

At My Eye Consultants, cataract evaluation is led by Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS — an ophthalmologist with 45+ years of experience and double board certification in ophthalmology and eye surgery. Dr. Andrew Lu, OD monitors cataract progression year over year and manages post-operative care. Surgery itself is performed by a cataract surgeon we help you select.

The Three Main Types

Not all cataracts behave the same way.

Cataracts are classified by where they form in the lens. Each type progresses differently and affects vision differently — which is one reason a proper evaluation matters.

Most Common

Nuclear Sclerotic

Forms in the central nucleus of the lens. Typically age-related and slowly progressive. Often causes a yellowing or browning effect, gradual blurring of distance vision, and sometimes a temporary improvement in near vision before worsening.

Spoke-Like Pattern

Cortical

Forms in the outer cortex of the lens in a wedge or spoke-like pattern. Often causes problems with glare and contrast sensitivity. Particularly bothersome when driving at night or in bright sun.

Faster Progression

Posterior Subcapsular

Forms at the back of the lens. Often progresses faster than other types and affects reading vision and bright-light vision more than overall acuity. More common in younger patients, diabetics, and those on long-term steroids.

How Cataracts Present

Symptoms that should prompt a cataract evaluation.

Cataracts develop slowly. Most patients don't notice changes day to day — only over months or years. If any of these symptoms have crept in, a comprehensive evaluation can determine whether cataracts are the cause and what to do about it.

  • Gradual blurring of vision that glasses don't fully correct
  • Increased glare from headlights at night
  • Halos around lights in dim conditions
  • Difficulty driving at night or in bright sun
  • Colors looking faded or yellowed
  • Frequent prescription changes that don't seem to last
  • Double vision in one eye
  • Difficulty reading even with reading glasses
  • Vision worse at certain lighting conditions
  • Difficulty recognizing faces at a distance
  • Needing more light to read than you used to
  • Vision that seems "washed out" or hazy
When to Have Surgery

The right time is when your life tells you so.

A common misconception is that cataracts need to be "ready" before surgery. The truth is that surgery is timed to your symptoms and your lifestyle — not the cataract's existence alone. Modern cataract surgery is safe at almost any stage; the question is when it benefits you most. This is exactly the question an independent evaluation is meant to answer.

Continued Monitoring

When Waiting Makes Sense

Many patients have early cataracts for years without needing surgery. Continued monitoring is appropriate when:

  • Your vision is still functional for your daily activities
  • Updated glasses prescriptions still give you good correction
  • Glare and night vision aren't significantly limiting
  • You're not avoiding activities you enjoy because of vision
Time to Consider Surgery

When Surgery Is Worth It

Surgery typically benefits patients most when cataracts have begun meaningfully interfering with life:

  • Driving has become difficult, especially at night
  • Reading and screen work is fatiguing or limited
  • Glare is preventing activities you used to enjoy
  • You've stopped driving at night out of safety concerns
  • Glasses prescriptions no longer fully correct your vision
  • Daily tasks like cooking, hobbies, or sports are affected
How We Evaluate Cataracts

A specialist evaluation — not just an eye exam.

A cataract evaluation goes beyond a routine eye exam. It combines clinical testing with a thorough conversation about your visual goals and, where relevant, a review of any recommendation you have already received. The full evaluation typically takes 60 to 90 minutes.

01

Vision & Glare Testing

Visual acuity measured under standard and glare conditions to assess how cataracts affect your real-world vision — not just chart performance.

02

Slit Lamp & Lens Exam

Detailed examination of each lens to identify cataract type, location, and density — which informs both timing and what to expect from surgery.

03

Ruling Out Other Causes

Dilated retinal exam, corneal topography, and macular OCT. Cataract is not always the whole story — macular disease and glaucoma can limit the benefit of surgery.

04

Goals & Lens Counseling

A real conversation about what you want from your vision. Distance? Reading independence? Both? And an honest read on whether a premium lens is worth the cost for you.

Intraocular Lens (IOL) Options

The IOL is permanent. Choosing it well matters.

During cataract surgery, your natural lens is replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL) that stays in your eye for life. The IOL determines what your vision looks like afterward. Several types exist, each with real trade-offs.

Standard · Insurance Covered

Monofocal IOL

Single Focal Distance

The standard intraocular lens, covered by Medicare and most insurance plans. Provides excellent vision at one chosen distance — usually distance vision. Reading glasses are typically needed afterward for near tasks.

Best for: Patients comfortable wearing reading glasses, those prioritizing crisp distance vision, and patients seeking the most insurance-friendly option.

Premium · Out-of-Pocket

Toric IOL

Corrects Astigmatism

A specialty IOL designed to correct astigmatism at the same time as cataract surgery. Patients with significant pre-existing astigmatism see meaningfully better without glasses for distance tasks.

Best for: Patients with significant astigmatism who want clearer distance vision without glasses. May still need reading glasses for near work.

Premium · Out-of-Pocket

Multifocal IOL

Both Distance and Near Vision

Designed to provide good vision at both distance and near, reducing the need for glasses for most daily activities. Multifocal IOLs have genuine trade-offs — some patients notice halos or glare around lights at night, and not everyone adapts.

Best for: Patients who strongly want glasses independence and accept the possibility of night-time halo effects.

Premium · Out-of-Pocket

Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) IOL

Smooth Range of Vision

A newer category of premium IOL that provides a continuous range of vision from distance through intermediate (computer distance), with fewer night-vision artifacts than traditional multifocals. Reading vision may still need light glasses support.

Best for: Patients wanting glasses-free distance and intermediate vision, particularly those who use computers extensively.

An honest word about premium lenses

Premium IOLs are excellent technology and the right choice for many patients. They are also a significant out-of-pocket expense that insurance does not cover, and they are not right for everyone — certain corneal conditions, macular disease, and even personality make some patients poor candidates for multifocal lenses. Because Dr. Lu does not perform the surgery, he has no stake in which lens you choose. That is a useful voice to have in the room before you decide.

How Your Care Works

From the first signs of cataract to life after surgery.

Cataract care unfolds over months or years. At My Eye Consultants, the right doctor is involved at each stage — and the practice that knows your history stays with you through all of it.

How Your Cataract Journey Flows

Four stages. One practice holding the thread.

Most cataract patients are first identified during routine optometric care. Dr. Andrew Lu monitors progression year over year. When symptoms reach the point where surgery becomes worth considering, Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS conducts the evaluation, advises on timing and lens selection, and — if you proceed — helps coordinate referral to a cataract surgeon. After surgery, your care comes back to us rather than staying with the surgical center.

STAGE 1

Monitoring

Dr. Andrew Lu, OD

Annual or biannual exams tracking cataract progression. Most patients are watched for months or years before surgery is appropriate.

STAGE 2

Evaluation & Counseling

Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS

Full ophthalmic evaluation, second opinion if you have one to review, guidance on timing, and honest counseling on intraocular lens options.

STAGE 3

Surgery

Referred Surgeon

Performed at an accredited outpatient surgical facility by a cataract surgeon. We help you choose and coordinate the referral.

STAGE 4

Post-Op & Long-Term Care

Back to My Eye Consultants

Post-operative follow-up with Dr. Andrew Lu, and Dr. Luis Lu available for YAG capsulotomy if the capsule clouds later.

Read more about our dual-provider model →
After Cataract Surgery

Vision blurry again years later? It is probably not the cataract coming back.

Months or years after successful cataract surgery, many patients notice their vision slowly clouding over again — glare returning, reading getting harder, that familiar hazy quality. It is a common and understandably discouraging experience.

Cataracts do not grow back. What has usually happened is posterior capsule opacification: the thin membrane holding your intraocular lens in place has gradually clouded. It is corrected with a YAG laser capsulotomy — a brief in-office laser procedure, no incision, no stitches, performed by Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS.

If your original cataract surgery was performed somewhere else, that is not a problem. We see these patients regularly.

YAG Capsulotomy at a Glance

  • In-office — no surgical center, no incision
  • A few minutes per eye
  • Numbing and dilating drops only — bring a driver
  • Most patients see clearly within a day
  • Typically covered by Medicare and medical insurance
  • Done once — the capsule does not re-cloud
For Referring Physicians

Referring a patient for cataract evaluation

We accept physician referrals for cataract evaluation, second opinions, and post-operative co-management. Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS provides the ophthalmic evaluation and lens counseling; surgery is referred out; post-operative care returns to our office. We also accept YAG capsulotomy referrals for patients whose cataract surgery was performed elsewhere. A consultation report is returned to your office. Fax referrals to (480) 207-1551 or call (480) 590-0505.

Dr. Luis W. Lu, M.D., FACS — Ophthalmologist at My Eye Consultants
Your Cataract Consultant

Dr. Luis W. Lu, M.D., FACS

Ophthalmologist · Cataract & Anterior Segment

Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS brings 45 years of ophthalmic experience to every cataract evaluation. Columbia University trained with fellowship at Harvard, double board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and the American Board of Eye Surgery, and the author of four ophthalmology textbooks. He performed cataract surgery for decades before stepping back from intraocular operating; his surgical practice today is oculoplastic eyelid work.

That history is what makes his evaluation worth having. He has seen thousands of these decisions play out over a career — which lenses satisfied patients ten years later, which timing led to regret, which recommendations were driven by something other than the patient's interest. He will take the time to explain the trade-offs plainly, and he has nothing to gain from the answer.

45+ Years of Ophthalmic
Experience
2× Board Certified
ABO & ABES
4 Ophthalmology
Textbooks Authored
EN/ES Bilingual
Communication
Frequently Asked Questions

Real answers about cataract care.

Does Dr. Lu perform cataract surgery?

No. Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS performed cataract surgery for decades but no longer operates on cataracts — his surgical practice today is limited to oculoplastic eyelid procedures. What he provides here is the evaluation, the second opinion, and the counseling: whether surgery is appropriate, when it makes sense, and which intraocular lens fits your goals. If surgery is warranted, we help coordinate referral to a cataract surgeon, and your post-operative care returns to us. Many patients consider this an advantage — the doctor advising you on whether to have surgery is not the one being paid to perform it.

Can I get a second opinion on a cataract surgery recommendation?

Yes, and this is one of the most common reasons patients come to us. If you have been told you need cataract surgery — or been quoted several thousand dollars for a premium intraocular lens — an independent evaluation by an ophthalmologist with no financial stake in the surgery can be genuinely clarifying. Bring your surgical recommendation and any IOL quote you have received. We will tell you honestly whether we agree, whether the timing makes sense, and whether the lens being recommended fits how you actually live.

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the natural lens inside the eye. The lens, which sits behind the iris and pupil, is normally crystal clear and works with the cornea to focus light onto the retina. With age, proteins in the lens slowly break down and clump together, scattering light and creating a cloudy effect. Cataracts develop gradually over years and are one of the most common age-related eye conditions — and one of the most successfully treated.

When should I have my cataract evaluated?

A cataract evaluation is appropriate when cataract symptoms begin to interfere with daily activities — reading, driving (especially at night), recognizing faces, watching TV, or performing the activities you enjoy. Even before symptoms become limiting, an annual eye exam will detect cataracts and track progression. There is no rush to operate; cataract surgery is timed to your symptoms and your lifestyle, not the cataract's existence alone.

What happens during a cataract evaluation?

A cataract evaluation is more thorough than a routine eye exam. It includes visual acuity testing under standard and glare conditions, a careful slit lamp examination of the lens, a dilated retinal exam, corneal topography, macular OCT to rule out other causes of vision loss, and a discussion of your lifestyle and visual goals. The evaluation determines whether surgery is appropriate and which intraocular lens category fits you. Plan for 60 to 90 minutes.

What is an intraocular lens (IOL)?

An intraocular lens (IOL) is the artificial lens that replaces your natural cataract-affected lens during surgery. There are several types: standard monofocal IOLs (focused at one distance), toric IOLs (correct astigmatism), multifocal IOLs (provide both distance and near vision), and extended depth of focus IOLs (smooth range of vision). The right IOL depends on your visual goals, lifestyle, and eye anatomy. Because premium lenses carry significant out-of-pocket cost, an independent opinion on whether you actually need one is worth having.

My vision got blurry again years after cataract surgery. What is happening?

This is usually posterior capsule opacification — sometimes called an after-cataract. The membrane that holds your intraocular lens in place can gradually cloud over months or years after surgery, causing symptoms that feel like the cataract returning. It is not a cataract regrowing, and it is corrected with a YAG laser capsulotomy: a brief in-office laser procedure with no incision. Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS performs YAG capsulotomy at My Eye Consultants, including for patients whose original cataract surgery was done elsewhere.

Will my insurance cover cataract surgery?

Medical insurance, including Medicare, typically covers cataract surgery when it's medically necessary — meaning the cataract is causing significant vision impairment that affects daily life. Standard monofocal IOLs are covered by insurance. Premium IOLs (toric, multifocal, extended depth of focus) and certain advanced techniques typically have additional out-of-pocket costs. The evaluation itself is billed to medical insurance. We discuss all costs transparently before anything is scheduled.

Who handles my care after cataract surgery?

We do. Rather than having patients co-managed indefinitely by the surgical center, we ask that patients return to My Eye Consultants after surgery for post-operative follow-up and long-term care. Dr. Andrew N. Lu, OD manages post-operative visits, and Dr. Luis W. Lu, MD, FACS is available for any complication or for YAG capsulotomy if the capsule clouds later. Your eye care stays with the practice that knows your history.

Before you decide about cataract surgery, get an opinion with nothing riding on it.

Schedule a cataract evaluation with Dr. Luis Lu, MD, FACS at My Eye Consultants. We'll tell you honestly whether surgery makes sense, when, and which lens fits your life — on your timeline, not anyone else's.

Schedule a Cataract Evaluation Call (480) 590-0505