June 3, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Vance Thompson Vision.

If you’ve found yourself squinting at menus, struggling with driving at night or blaming blurry vision on “getting older,” you might be dealing with more than normal aging vision. You could have cataracts.

Cataracts are among the most common vision conditions in adults older than 60, and they develop so gradually that many people don’t realize how much clarity they’ve lost until after it’s restored. The good news? Cataract surgery is one of the safest and most effective procedures in medicine, and for Sioux Falls-area residents, world-class care is close to home with access to advanced techniques and technology shaped by ongoing research and innovation.

What are the signs it’s time?

There are clear signs that it may be time to have a conversation with your eye doctor about cataract surgery. Some of them include:

• Cloudy or blurry vision that glasses no longer correct.
• Difficulty driving at night because of halos or glare around lights.
• Colors appearing faded or yellowed.
• Frequent prescription changes that don’t seem to hold.
• Trouble reading even with adequate light.

A key question isn’t just how blurry your vision is, but how much it’s affecting your daily life. If cataracts are keeping you from doing the things you love, it’s worth exploring your options.

What to expect from cataract surgery

Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens implant. The procedure typically takes about 10 minutes per eye, and most patients notice improved vision within a day or two.

At Vance Thompson Vision in Sioux Falls, patients can choose between two approaches: basic cataract surgery, which restores clear distance vision with a single-focus lens, and advanced cataract surgery, which uses premium lens technology to reduce dependence on glasses — many of which have been studied and refined through clinical research.

What makes the decision personal is understanding your lifestyle. Do you want to read a book without reaching for readers? See the golf course clearly at every distance? The lens implant that’s right for you depends on how you want to use your vision.

“When I sit down with a patient, I want to understand what matters most to them and how they want to use their vision,” said Dr. John Berdahl, a board-certified ophthalmologist at Vance Thompson Vision. “Once we understand their goals, we can recommend a solution that truly fits their lifestyle.”

Why patients choose Vance Thompson Vision

Vance Thompson Vision has been a trusted name in Sioux Falls eye care for decades — and for good reason. The practice’s surgeons and clinical team are actively involved in clinical research and have participated in more than 100 FDA-monitored trials that have helped shape how cataract surgery is performed today.

That involvement means patients benefit from care that is grounded in the latest evidence, with access to proven techniques and lens options that continue to evolve through ongoing study and innovation.

Don’t wait until it’s ‘bad enough’

One of the most common misconceptions about cataract surgery is that you have to wait until your vision is severely impaired before acting. Today, that’s no longer the standard of care. If your daily activities are being affected, that’s reason enough to have a conversation.

A consultation at Vance Thompson Vision starts with a thorough evaluation to determine whether cataracts are the cause of your vision changes and, if so, what stage they’re at and what options are available to you.

Your vision is too important to leave to guesswork. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s the right time, it probably is.

To learn more or take the first step, take our quick vision quiz to see if you may be a candidate.

For information or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call 605-361-EYES (3937).