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Make Your Appointment More Efficient & Productive:

Follow our Cataract Evaluation Checklist

Thank you for scheduling a Cataract Evaluation at
Medical Eye Specialists.

If this information sparks any new questions or concerns, be sure to bring those up at your Evaluation. We want to provide you with all of the information you need to make an informed decision about your vision improvement options.

If you need to reschedule or cancel your appointment, please call our office at (406) 587-1245.

Patient Forms

Please fill out your Patient forms and Cataract Self-Test prior to coming in for your Evaluation.


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When to Stop Wearing Contact Lenses

Contacts reshape the surface of the cornea and may interfere with the final outcome of your surgical procedure.

If you wear regular soft lenses you will need to take them out at least 7 days prior to your Evaluation and before your procedure.

If you sleep in your contacts, please leave them out of your eyes for at least 2 weeks prior to your Evaluation and before your procedure.

If you wear hard or gas permeable lenses, you will need to take them out 4 weeks prior to your Evaluation and your procedure.

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Where to find us

Main Office - The Bozeman Medical Arts Center

300 N. Willson, Suite 1003
Bozeman, Montana

Satellite Locations - Livingston Office

422 South Main Street
Livingston, Montana

Satellite Locations - Belgrade Office

205 West Main Street
Belgrade, Montana

What to Expect

Plan to spend 2 hours with us during this appointment. Upon arrival you will be asked to:

  • Complete a short registration form and fees agreement
  • Provide your insurance card and picture ID

Your eyes will be dilated during your visit, if you are uncomfortable driving while dilated, please bring someone to drive you home. As part of your exam, we will perform a refraction test and a topography test (to map the astigmatism of your eye). These tests are required for surgery, but often not covered by insurance, so you may be responsible for these charges.

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About Cataracts

The lens of the eye begins as a clear lens that refracts light and helps you see a clear image. Our natural lens will become cloudy over time, forming a cataract. As the cataract forms, the vision will become more blurry or hazy, images may seem less colorful and the vision will appear foggy. Common symptoms of a cataract include seeing halos around headlights while driving at night and needing brighter lights for certain activities such as reading.

As we age, the natural lens of the eye will slowly form a cataract. Even by the age of 40, the proteins in the lens will begin to change, causing the lens to become cloudy. When your cataracts begin to disrupt your lifestyle or keep you from doing the things you love, it is time to consider cataract surgery.

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Cataract Surgery

During cataract surgery your cloudy lens is removed from your eye and replaced with a permanent intraocular lens (IOL) implant. The surgery itself is a quick, outpatient procedure that is typically performed under sedation and completed within 10-30 minutes. You can expect to feel virtually no pain and will likely only experience mild discomfort up to 1-2 days after surgery.

1. Small incisions are made to the outer surface of the eye.

2. The cataract is broken up by ultrasonic waves. The tiny pieces are removed by suction.

3. A new lens is inserted to replace the lens that was removed.

Post-surgery care includes using prescription eye drops and keeping the eye clean, dry and protected.

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Lens Replacement Options

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Basic Cataract Surgery

If you don’t mind wearing glasses after surgery, this may be the option for you.

These monofocal lenses are designed to provide the best possible vision at one focal point: distance, intermediate or near. Most patients who choose monofocal IOLs choose distance vision as the focal point and will use reading glasses or bifocals. At Medical Eye Specialists, our surgeons use the most advanced monofocal IOLs available and perform extensive preoperative diagnostic testing to make sure we are choosing the best lens for you. Monofocal IOLs are the best option for those individuals who choose to use glasses for most activities. If you are interested in reducing or eliminating your need for glasses, and you are considered to be a good candidate, then your eye surgeon at Medical Eye Specialists will offer you advanced technology cataract surgery.

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Advanced Technology Cataract Surgery

If you would like to limit your dependence on glasses, this may be the option for you.

Astigmatism Reducing IOLs have extra built-in correction for astigmatism.

Presbyopia Reducing IOLs have multiple corrective zones built into the lens (much like bifocal or trifocal eyeglasses), allowing you to see near, intermediate and far objects.

Extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) IOLs have only one corrective zone, but this zone is stretched to allow distance and intermediate vision.

Advanced technology cataract surgery can provide an enhanced range of vision after cataract surgery, improving distance, intermediate and near vision. It is important to understand your Advanced IOL options so you can choose a lens that best suits your lifestyle.

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Our Cataract Surgeons

Our surgeons have performed thousands of cataract surgeries and integrate the latest cataract surgery technologies. All of our doctors live locally here in Montana and many of them have deep roots in our great state. You can read more about each of our doctors by clicking here.

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    Patricia Cosgrove, M.D., M.P.H

    Eyelid & Cataract Surgeon


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    Lisa Herrygers, M.D.

    Glaucoma & Cataract Surgeon


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    Kristy Moeller, M.D.

    Eyelid & Cataract Surgeon


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    Joe Sheehan,
    M.D., M.S.

    Cornea, LASIK & Cataract Surgeon


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    Angela Watkins, M.D.

    Eyelid & Cataract Surgeon


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    Colin McInnis, M.D.

    Glaucoma & Cataract Surgeon


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Words from our Patients

"I have been seeing Dr. Sheehan for a couple of years and I couldn’t be happier with his help and knowledge. My wife also had cataract surgery with Dr. Watkins. She couldn’t even read a road sign prior to surgery. After surgery she has 20/20 in one eye and slightly less in the other. Thank you Dr. Watkins!! The doctors and staff at Medical Eye Specialists are all extremely professional and helpful."

- Jeff C.

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0% Interest Cataract Surgery Financing

If the cost of our Advanced Technology Packages is a concern, you may qualify for 0% interest financing for this portion of the surgery through CareCredit®, the nation’s leading patient payment program. You can have your advanced procedure now and pay for it over time with low monthly payments.

  • 0% interest financing for up to 24 months
  • Extended payment options for up to 60 months with low interest
  • No up-front costs
  • No pre-payment penalties
  • No additional fees

Apply Today!

*Financing can only be applied to elective surgery costs.
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