Cataract Surgery in Albany, Schenectady, Troy & Saratoga Springs, NY

Many patients find that as they age their vision is not what it used to be: Fine print is harder to see, nighttime driving or driving in the rain is unpleasant due to glare from car headlights. Perhaps even with your most recent glasses prescription your vision is not what you expected or wanted it to be. Perhaps the change in your vision is due to cataracts.

How Cataracts Affect Vision?

As we age, many people notice their vision isn’t as sharp as it used to be. Fine print becomes harder to read, night driving is more difficult due to glare, and even with updated glasses, vision may still seem cloudy. In many cases, these changes are caused by cataracts.



Cataracts develop when the natural proteins in the eye’s lens begin to clump together, blocking light from passing through. This leads to symptoms such as:

• Halos around lights
• Glare from headlights or bright lights
• Reduced contrast sensitivity
• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Difficulty reading or driving at night

If left untreated, cataracts can progress to legal blindness. Fortunately, modern cataract surgery is a safe, effective, and permanent solution that restores clear vision and improves quality of life.

Cataract Surgery in Schenectady NY

In the past, cataract surgery only corrected distance vision, requiring patients to still wear glasses or contacts most of the time. It also could not address other eye conditions such as astigmatism or glaucoma.

Today, advanced outpatient cataract surgery offers multiple options, including:

• Correction of astigmatism
• Reduced or eliminated dependence on glasses for both near and distance vision
• Combined treatment for mild glaucoma

Cataract Surgery with Dr. Mabel Cheng & Dr. Nicole Lemanski

At our practice, we proudly serve patients in Albany, Schenectady, Troy, and Saratoga Springs, NY. Our experienced surgeons use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and surgical technology to deliver precise results. Cataract surgery can be customized to address multiple concerns, including astigmatism, glaucoma, and reliance on glasses.

We offer advanced options such as:



• Femtosecond bladeless cataract surgery with computer-guided precision
• Monofocal lenses for distance or near correction
• Multifocal & accommodative lenses for vision at multiple distances
• Toric lenses to correct significant astigmatism
• iStent implants for patients with both cataracts and mild glaucoma

Cataract Surgery Options:

• Replaces the cataract and restores light transmission to the retina
• Provides good distance vision for patients without astigmatism
• Glasses are still needed for near tasks such as reading or dashboard viewing
• Does not correct astigmatism

• Recommended for patients with significant astigmatism
• Cancels out corneal irregularities for sharper distance vision
• Readers may still be needed for near tasks
• Toric accommodative lenses available for broader vision correction

• Uses a concentric ring design to allow clear vision at near, intermediate, and far distances
• Great for patients who want freedom from glasses in most daily situations
• Works best with little or no astigmatism; mild cases can be corrected with limbal relaxing incisions (LRI)
• Not ideal for patients with high astigmatism or those who spend long hours in low-light environments

The most advanced lens design, accommodative lenses mimic natural lens movement, providing a range of vision—near, intermediate, and distance—often without glasses. They are a strong choice for patients who want to avoid glasses in most daily situations.



These lenses work well in both eyes and can be adapted for patients with different levels of astigmatism. Mild cases can be corrected with an LRI, while moderate or severe cases may benefit from toric accommodative lenses. For patients who frequently work in low-light environments, accommodative lenses also provide better contrast compared to multifocals.

A cost-effective method of correcting astigmatism, LRI uses advanced imaging to create a 3D model of the eye. With this data, the surgeon makes precise incisions to improve corneal shape and reduce astigmatism.

Using laser technology at incredible speeds, femtosecond systems allow surgeons to perform critical steps of cataract surgery with computer-guided precision. Benefits include:

• Greater accuracy for astigmatism correction when diamond blade incisions aren’t sufficient
• Safer removal of dense or unusually formed cataracts
• Reduced stress on the cornea for patients with existing corneal issues

As the Capital Region’s only certified surgeon trained on both femtosecond laser platforms, Dr. Cheng offers patients access to these advanced techniques.

Used during surgery, ORA provides precise real-time measurements of the eye’s dimensions and intraocular lens placement. This ensures optimal results and is especially helpful for patients who have had previous refractive surgery (LASIK, PRK, RK) or those receiving toric lenses.

Traditionally, patients needed to use multiple daily eye drops before and after surgery. Reduced-drop cataract surgery offers an alternative by placing long-acting medication directly into the eye during surgery. Many patients require only one drop—or none at all—afterward.

Smaller than the eye of Lincoln on a penny, the iStent is designed for glaucoma patients to lower eye pressure and reduce or eliminate the need for daily drops. This is particularly beneficial for patients who struggle with administering drops. As the Capital Region’s only ophthalmologists specializing in both premium lenses and iStent placement, Dr. Cheng and Dr. Lemanski are proud to offer this treatment option.