Moran Eye Center

Cataract Services

What is a cataract?

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens that causes loss of vision.

What causes it?

The lens lies behind the iris and the pupil (see diagram) and adjusts the eye's focus. The lens is made up almost entirely of protein. As we age, some of the protein in our eyes may clump together and start to cloud a small area of the lens. This is a cataract.

When are you most likely to have a cataract?

People can have an age-related cataract in their 40s and 50s. But during middle age, most cataracts are small and do not affect vision. It is after age 60 that most cataracts steal vision. More Info

What are its symptoms?

A cataract starts out small. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright, causing a glare. Or, you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before.More Info

How is a cataract detected?

The only way to know for sure is by having an eye examination.More Info

How is a cataract treated?

It is treated with surgery. Your eye care professional will remove your clouded lens and, in most cases, replace it with a clear, plastic lens.More Info

When should a cataract be treated?

By having your vision tested regularly, you and your eye care professional can discuss if and when you might need treatment.More Info

What can you do to protect your vision?

If you are over age 60, you should have an eye examination at least once every two years. This exam should include dilating your pupils. If you have a family history of an eye disease, perhaps a yearly examination is indicated.

Cataract Services at the John A. Moran Eye Center

The Cataract Service at the John A. Moran Eye Center at the University of Utah is dedicated to excellence in both the consultation and treatment of all types of cataracts. Our cataract surgeons use state-of-the-art equipment and have experience with complicated cataract cases. This helps assure exacting diagnosis and best practices in medical and surgical care.

In addition, the Moran Eye Center is one of the leading centers worldwide in the evaluation of Intra-Ocular Lenses which are placed in the eye following cataract surgery. We conduct ongoing basic and clinical research on new types of Intra-Ocular Lenses, including lenses that will allow both near and distance vision as well as adjustable power lenses and lenses for exceptionally strong vision correction.

Services Include:

  • Consultation in medical and surgical treatment of all types of cataracts.
  • Cataract evaluation and treatment for all age groups including pediatric patients.
  • High risk or complicated cataracts.
  • Consultation regarding all types of Intraocular lens problems
  • Consultation and surgical repair of traumatic injuries

Meet our Cataract specialists

Alan S. Crandall, MD

Dr. Crandall's practice focuses on the medical and surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts. Dr. Crandall has experience with trabeculoplasty and laser cyclophotocoagulation. He is involved in numerous clinical research studies at the Moran Eye Center. Dr. Crandall is also the Director of the Medical Education Program.

  • Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine .Salt Lake City, UT

  • Residency: Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania .Philadelphia, PA

  • Fellowship: Scheie Eye Institute, University of Pennsylvania .Philadelphia, PA

  • Academic Appointments: Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine

Norman A. Zabriskie, MD

Dr. Zabriskie specializes in all aspects of the medical and surgical treatment of glaucoma and cataracts. He is the vice-chairman of clinical operations and the medical director of the John A. Moran Eye Center. He has a research interest in the genetics of glaucoma.

  • Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine - Salt Lake City, UT

  • Residency: University of Iowa .Iowa City, IA

  • Fellowship: University of Iowa and John A. Moran Eye Center

  • Academic Appointment: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Vice Chair & Medical Director of Clinical Services, University of Utah School of Medicine

Jason Goldsmith, MD

Dr. Goldsmith's practice focuses on the medical and surgical management of glaucoma and cataracts.

  • Medical School: Stanford University School of Medicine .Stanford, CA

  • Residency: Cleveland Clinic Foundation .Cleveland, OH

  • Fellowship: University of Utah School of Medicine .Salt Lake City, UT

  • Academic Appointments: Faculty, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine

Bradley J. Katz, MD, Phd

Dr. Katz specializes in neuro-ophthalmology, comprehensive ophthalmology. He also evaluates patients with disease that affect the optic nerve, diseases that affect eye movements and diseases of the brain that affect vision. Dr. Katz is also principal investigator for a research grant from the National Institutes of Health to study optic nerve drusen.

  • Medical School: University of Illinois College of Medicine

  • Residency: University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics

  • Fellowship: John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah

  • Academic Appointments: Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, U. of Utah School of Medicine.

Nick Mamalis, MD

Dr. Mamalis clinical practice focuses on comprehensive Ophthalmology including cataract and other anterior ocular surgeries. As Director of the Ophthalmic Pathology Laboratory, Dr. Mamalis evaluates all specimens submitted to the laboratory and is a member of the American Association of Ophthalmic Pathologists. He is also Director of the Intermountain Ocular Research Center and is performing research in the area of intraocular lenses and postoperative inflammation.

  • Medical School: University of Utah School of Medicine - Salt Lake City, UT

  • Residency: Loyola University Medical Center - Maywood, IL

  • Fellowship: University of Utah - Salt Lake City, UT

  • Academic Appointments: Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine.

Mark D. Mifflin, MD

Dr. Mifflin specializes in the medical and surgical treatment of corneal and anterior segment eye diseases. His expertise includes all types of corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and vision correction using lasers, intraocular lenses, and conductive keratoplasty.

  • Medical School: University of Nevada School of Medicine .Reno, NV

  • Residency: University of Utah .Salt Lake City, UT

  • Fellowship: University of Utah .Salt Lake City, UT; Casebeer Eye Center .Scottsdale, AZ

  • Academic Appointments: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine. Residency Program Director and Education Director for the Department of Ophthalmology. Medical Director, Utah Lions Eye Bank

Majid Moshirfar, MD

Director of the Moran Eye Center's Refractive Surgery Program. Dr. Moshirfar specializes in refractive surgery, medical and surgical management of corneal disorders, cataract removal and inflammatory eye diseases. Dr. Moshirfar lectures extensively around the country on a variety of vision correction procedures and has become a community spokesperson on the benefits and risks of vision correction surgery.

  • Medical School: Georgetown University .Washington, DC

  • Residency: Illinois Eye and Eye Hospital .Chicago, IL

  • Fellowship: University of Utah .Salt Lake City, UT

  • Academic Appointments: Associate Professor of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine. Assistant Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology, Wright State University School of Medicine.

Geoffrey Tabin, MD

Cornea, Cataract and Refractive Surgery; Director, Division of International Ophthalmology; Co-Director, Himalayan Cataract Project

Dr. Tabin is a world-class corneal specialist and director of the International Ophthalmology Division at the Moran Eye Center. In addition to his work in Utah providing corneal, cataract and refractive care, Dr. Tabin is working to develop eye care delivery in developing countries. Part of his research includes improving cataract and corneal surgery.

  • Medical School: Harvard Medical School .Boston, MA

  • Residency: Brown University .Providence, RI

  • Fellowship: Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital .Melbourne Australia

  • Academic Appointment: Professor, Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine