Cataract Center
Austin's Premier Cataract Surgery Center
Three board-certified cataract surgeons. Laser precision. Premium lens implants. Six Central Texas locations. One commitment: the clearest vision possible for every patient.
What Are Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural crystalline lens — the clear structure behind the iris that focuses light onto the retina. As proteins within the lens break down over time, they clump together and create areas of opacity that block and scatter incoming light. The result is progressively blurred vision, faded colors, increased glare sensitivity, and difficulty seeing clearly in low-light conditions.
Cataracts are the leading cause of vision loss worldwide and affect more than half of all Americans over the age of 65. While age is the most common risk factor, cataracts can also develop as a result of UV exposure, diabetes, certain medications like corticosteroids, previous eye injuries, and smoking.
The good news: modern cataract surgery is one of the safest and most successful procedures in all of medicine. At Westlake Eye Specialists, our Austin cataract surgeons go beyond simply removing the cloudy lens — we use laser cataract surgery, 3D NGenuity® visualization, and a comprehensive selection of premium lens implants to give patients in Austin, South Austin, and across Central Texas the opportunity to see better after surgery than they did before cataracts even developed.
Common Cataract Symptoms
- Blurred, cloudy, or foggy vision that doesn't improve with a new glasses prescription
- Increased sensitivity to glare, especially from headlights while driving at night
- Faded or yellowed colors — whites may appear dingy or brownish
- Frequent changes to your glasses or contact lens prescription
- Difficulty reading, working on a computer, or performing close-up tasks
- Double vision in one eye
- Halos around lights, particularly at night
Watch this overview of cataract symptoms, how surgery works, and the lens implant options available at Westlake Eye Specialists:
Not Sure If You Have Cataracts?
Take our free Cataract Self-Test to evaluate your symptoms and determine if a cataract consultation may be your next step. It takes just a few minutes.
Why Austin Patients Choose Us for Cataract Surgery
The difference between standard cataract surgery and an exceptional visual outcome comes down to three things: surgeon expertise, surgical technology, and the lens implant selected for your eyes.
At Westlake Eye Specialists, your cataract surgery is performed by one of three board-certified ophthalmologists — each fellowship-trained and each bringing thousands of successful cataract procedures to every case. We use exclusively femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for unmatched precision, and we operate with the NGenuity® 3D visualization system for enhanced depth perception and surgical control.
Where we truly stand apart is in lens implant selection. We offer every category of premium IOL currently available — from monofocal and toric lenses to extended depth-of-focus, multifocal, and the revolutionary Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) — and our surgeons take the time to match each patient with the lens that best fits their visual goals, lifestyle, and eye anatomy.
Whether you're seeking cataract surgery in Westlake Hills, South Austin, Kyle, Killeen, New Braunfels, or Georgetown, our multi-location practice makes it convenient to access this level of care close to home. Consultations are available at all six Central Texas locations, and all cataract procedures are performed at our state-of-the-art South Austin surgical center.
Meet Austin's Best Cataract Surgeons
Three board-certified ophthalmologists with fellowship-level training and thousands of successful cataract procedures between them.
Zarmeena Vendal, M.D.
Board-certified, Harvard-trained ophthalmologist. Over two decades of cataract, LASIK, and glaucoma surgery experience in Austin and Central Texas. Voted Austin Top Doc by her peers in multiple consecutive years. Specialist in combined cataract + MIGS procedures.
Meet Dr. Vendal
Luke Barker, M.D.
Board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Ophthalmology. Fellow of the AAO and member of ASCRS. Over 25,000 vision correction procedures. Previously the lead cataract and refractive surgeon at Mann Eye Institute in Austin for nearly a decade before joining Westlake Eye Specialists in 2025.
Meet Dr. Barker
Catherine Makin, D.O.
Board-certified ophthalmologist and member of AAO and ASCRS. Recipient of the Humanism in Medicine award, bringing compassionate, patient-centered care to every surgical consultation. Dr. Makin is known for her thorough approach to lens selection and her dedication to helping Austin-area patients achieve their best possible visual outcomes.
Meet Dr. MakinHow We Perform Cataract Surgery in Austin
Every cataract procedure at Westlake Eye Specialists uses the most advanced surgical technology available — not as an upcharge, but as our standard of care.
Laser Cataract Surgery
Our femtosecond laser creates the corneal incision, capsulotomy, and pre-fragments the cataract with micron-level precision — delivering more accurate, reproducible results than manual techniques. Learn about laser cataract surgery →
NGenuity® 3D Visualization
Your surgeon operates using a high-definition 3D display that provides enhanced depth perception, superior magnification, and improved color contrast — enabling greater precision during the most delicate phases of surgery. Learn about NGenuity® →
Premium Lens Implants
We offer 20+ IOL options across every category — monofocal, toric, EDOF, multifocal, and the Light Adjustable Lens — so your surgeon can match the ideal lens to your eyes, your lifestyle, and your visual goals. Explore lens options →
Premium Lens Implant Options for Austin Cataract Patients
The lens you choose during cataract surgery determines how you'll see for the rest of your life. Here's an overview of the categories available at Westlake Eye Specialists.
| Lens Category | Best For | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Monofocal | Patients prioritizing crisp distance vision | Proven reliability, excellent clarity at one focal point |
| Toric | Patients with astigmatism | Corrects astigmatism during cataract surgery |
| Extended Depth of Focus (EDOF) | Patients wanting distance + intermediate vision | Continuous range of vision with minimal halos |
| Multifocal | Patients wanting full range: near, intermediate, far | Greatest spectacle independence at all distances |
| Light Adjustable Lens (LAL) | Patients wanting post-surgical fine-tuning | Only lens adjustable after implantation using UV light |
The Light Adjustable Lens: A Game-Changer
The Light Adjustable Lens deserves special attention because it represents a fundamentally different approach to cataract surgery outcomes. Unlike traditional IOLs where the prescription is locked in at surgery, the LAL can be adjusted in the weeks following your procedure using painless UV light treatments in our office. This means your surgeon can observe how your eye heals, assess your real-world vision, and make precise adjustments to optimize the final result. Westlake Eye Specialists is one of the few practices in Austin offering this revolutionary technology.
Cataract Surgery with Glaucoma Treatment
For Austin patients managing both cataracts and glaucoma, Westlake Eye Specialists offers a significant advantage: the ability to address both conditions in a single procedure. Performing cataract surgery alongside a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) can reduce intraocular pressure, decrease dependence on daily glaucoma eye drops, and restore clear vision — all in one trip to the operating room.
Dr. Vendal is a Harvard-trained glaucoma fellowship specialist and one of the most experienced interventional glaucoma surgeons in the Austin area. Dr. Barker also brings extensive MIGS experience. Together, they offer the full range of combined cataract + glaucoma procedures, including glaucoma stent surgery with the iStent inject®, Hydrus® Microstent, OMNI® surgical system, Kahook Dual Blade® goniotomy, and the iDose® TR sustained-release implant.
This combined approach means fewer procedures, a single recovery period, and potentially significant reduction in the number of glaucoma medications you need each day. It's an advantage only practices with both advanced cataract and glaucoma surgical expertise can offer at this level.
Your Cataract Surgery Journey in Austin
Your Consultation
Your journey begins with a comprehensive evaluation at one of our six Central Texas locations. During this visit, your surgeon performs detailed diagnostic measurements — including biometry, corneal topography, and optical coherence tomography — to assess your cataract, evaluate any additional conditions like astigmatism or glaucoma, and discuss which lens implant options are best suited to your lifestyle and visual goals.
Surgery Day
Cataract surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure at our South Austin surgical center. The procedure typically takes 15–20 minutes per eye using laser-assisted technique and NGenuity® 3D visualization. You'll be comfortable with light sedation and numbing drops — no needles, no stitches. Many patients notice improved vision within hours.
Recovery
Most Austin cataract surgery patients return to normal daily activities within a day or two. You'll have follow-up visits over the following weeks to monitor healing. If you've chosen the Light Adjustable Lens, your post-operative visits will also include UV light adjustment sessions to fine-tune your final vision — a process our patients consistently describe as one of the most satisfying aspects of their experience.
Austin Cataract Surgery: Consultations Across Central Texas
Cataract evaluations available at all six locations. All surgical procedures performed at our state-of-the-art South Austin surgical center.
South Austin Surgery Center
Cataract surgical suite with laser & NGenuity® 3D technology
View location →Questions about insurance coverage and financing? Medicare and most private insurance cover the medical portion of cataract surgery. Call (512) 472-4011 to discuss your coverage.
Cataract Surgery FAQ
How do I know if I need cataract surgery?
Common signs include blurry or cloudy vision that doesn't improve with new glasses, increased glare from headlights, faded colors, and difficulty reading. Our Cataract Self-Test can help evaluate your symptoms, but a comprehensive eye exam with one of our Austin cataract surgeons is the most accurate way to determine if surgery is right for you.
Is laser cataract surgery better than traditional cataract surgery?
Both have excellent safety profiles. Laser cataract surgery offers greater precision in incision creation and lens capsulotomy, which is especially beneficial when positioning premium lens implants like toric, multifocal, or the Light Adjustable Lens.
What is the best lens implant for cataract surgery?
There's no single "best" lens — the right choice depends on your eyes, your lifestyle, and your visual priorities. Active patients who want spectacle independence often do well with multifocal or EDOF lenses. Patients with astigmatism benefit from toric options. Patients who want the most customizable result may be ideal for the Light Adjustable Lens.
How long does cataract surgery recovery take?
Most patients experience noticeably improved vision within a day or two and return to normal activities quickly. Full visual stabilization typically occurs within four to six weeks as the eye heals and the lens settles into position.
Does insurance cover cataract surgery?
Medicare and most private insurance plans cover the medical portion of cataract surgery when medically necessary. Premium lens upgrades and laser-assisted surgery typically involve additional out-of-pocket cost. Visit our insurance and financing page for details.
Can cataract surgery and glaucoma treatment be done at the same time?
Yes — this is one of Westlake Eye Specialists' key strengths. Our surgeons frequently combine cataract surgery with minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) to address both conditions in a single procedure, reducing eye pressure and potentially eliminating the need for daily glaucoma drops.
Where is cataract surgery performed?
Cataract consultations are available at all six of our Central Texas locations — Westlake Austin, Kyle, Killeen, New Braunfels, Georgetown, and South Austin. All cataract surgeries are performed at our South Austin surgical center, equipped with laser and NGenuity® 3D technology.
Which doctors perform cataract surgery at Westlake Eye Specialists?
Cataract surgery is performed by Dr. Zarmeena Vendal, Dr. Luke Barker, and Dr. Catherine Makin — three board-certified ophthalmologists with fellowship-level training and thousands of successful cataract procedures.
Ready to See Austin Clearly Again?
Schedule your cataract consultation at any of our six Central Texas locations and take the first step toward visual freedom.
(512) 472-4011