Serving Johnson City, Kingsport & the Tri-Cities
Reeves Eye InstituteSeeing life clearly
Cataract care in Johnson City & Kingsport
Is it your glasses, or is it a cataract?
If new glasses haven't helped, colors look washed out, or headlights burst into starbursts at night, a cataract could be the reason. Learn what's going on, what can be done, and take a free 2-minute screening to find your best next step.
Free 2-minute screening
Medicare & most insurance accepted
Two East Tennessee offices
Over half
of Americans have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by age 80*
Online screening: 2 min
Common signs
Sound familiar?
Cataracts form slowly, so the changes are easy to blame on tired eyes, a bad prescription, or simply getting older.
A foggy, filmy view
Like looking through a smudged window that never gets clean.
Glare and halos
Headlights, lamps and sunlight glow, streak or starburst.
Colors lose their pop
Whites look yellowed and bright colors seem muted.
Prescriptions that keep changing
New glasses help for a while, then things blur again.
Understanding cataracts
What exactly is a cataract?
Behind your pupil sits a clear, natural lens that focuses light onto the retina. Over time, proteins in that lens break down and clump together, clouding it. That clouding is a cataract. It usually builds over years, which is why many people adjust without noticing how much sharpness and color they've lost.
Most common after 60, though changes can start in your 40s and 50s
Diabetes, smoking, years of sun exposure, steroid use and eye injuries can speed it up
Glasses can sharpen focus, but they can't clear a clouded lens
The only way to remove a cataract is to replace the lens, a routine outpatient procedure
Drag to compare · Simulated view of an East Tennessee ridgeline.
Your path to clearer vision
How cataract care works at Reeves
Detailed evaluation
We measure each eye, check its overall health and talk about how you want to see: driving, reading, hobbies.
Pick your lens
Your surgeon explains which replacement lens fits your eyes, lifestyle and budget.
Quick outpatient procedure
The cloudy lens is gently removed and replaced with a clear one. Most people are home the same day.
Recovery and follow-up
Many patients notice brighter, sharper vision within days. We check in to make sure you're healing well.
Replacement lens options
Your new lens, matched to your life
Monofocal lens
Clear vision at one distance, usually far away. Reading glasses are typically still needed. Generally covered by Medicare and most insurance.
Toric lens
Corrects astigmatism at the same time, for crisper distance vision with less reliance on glasses.
Multifocal & extended-range lenses
Designed to give a range of vision, near to far, so many people rely much less on glasses for daily tasks.
Your surgeon will recommend options based on your eye measurements, health and goals. Our team reviews any costs with you before you decide.
Free online screening
Could a cataract be behind what you're noticing?
Answer 5 quick questions about how you see day to day. Based on your answers, we'll point you to the appointment that fits: a cataract evaluation or a comprehensive eye exam.
Takes about 2 minutes
Instantly shows your next step
Book online at a time that suits you
Say hi to Romeo ❤
Our patient-experience pup brings comfort, smiles and a little extra joy.
What to expect
A visit that feels personal
Unhurried, thorough exams with advanced imaging
Plain-language answers about your options and costs
Help with Medicare and insurance questions
Meet Romeo, our four-legged patient-experience team member
Clear vision for every chapter
Seeing the little faces
Enjoying the view
Getting lost in a book
Driving with confidence
Questions, answered
Frequently asked questions
Still wondering about something? Our team is one call away.
Does cataract surgery hurt?
Most people feel little or nothing. Numbing drops and a mild sedative keep you comfortable, and many describe only light pressure.
Is cataract surgery covered by insurance?
Medicare and most insurance plans typically cover medically necessary cataract surgery with a standard lens. Premium lenses may involve an added cost, which we review with you in advance.
Do I have to wait until my cataract is 'ripe'?
No. That's an old idea. Surgery is usually considered once a cataract starts interfering with everyday things like driving, reading or hobbies.
Are both eyes done on the same day?
Usually not. Most patients have one eye treated, then the second a short time later once the first has healed.
Will I still need glasses afterward?
It depends on the lens you choose. Standard lenses usually mean reading glasses; premium lenses can reduce how much you rely on glasses.
Is this online screening a diagnosis?
No. It's a quick way to point you toward the right appointment. Only an in-person exam with our doctors can diagnose your eyes and recommend treatment.
Because clear vision is about living
Your clearer next step starts here
Take the 2-minute screening, or call our team and we'll help you choose the right appointment.
Johnson City
2605 Boones Creek Rd.
Johnson City, TN 37615
Kingsport
2500 Clinchfield St., Ste. 201
Kingsport, TN 37660
Prefer to talk?
Our team is happy to help you choose the right appointment.