Founded in 1983, we are southern New Hampshire's leading provider of eyecare for both children and adults.
Eyesight's offices may be visited at one of three convenient locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, and Somersworth, New Hampshire. For individual office information, click here.
• Three full-time offices staffed by Board Certified Ophthalmologists and Optometrists.
• Evening hours are available at all locations.
• Full time, 365 days/year, coverage for emergencies.
• Affiliations with Portsmouth Regional Hospital, Portsmouth Ambulatory Surgery Center, Exeter Hospital, Frisbie Memorial Hospital & Wentworth-Douglass Hospital.
The eye works similar to a camera. Light enters the eye through the pupil, passes through a lens which focuses the images onto the retina at the back of the eye. The natural lens of the eye is clear. A cataract occurs when lens of the eye becomes clouded. Changing your glasses prescription cannot fix the cloudiness of the lens so even when you have the best possible glasses prescription, your vision still appears blurry. Cataracts are the most common cause of blurred vision in those over the age of 50.
The majority of the time, cataracts are a natural part of the aging process. They do not occur at the same time in everyone, just like any other age related changes. Occasionally, cataracts can form for other reasons. These include injury, diabetes, use of certain medications, birth defects, or from previous surgery of the eye.
Cataracts can alter your vision but they do not cause pain, tearing, redness, or irritation. They typically cause blurriness, haze, and/or increased problems with glare, particularly when driving at night. Vision may be affected over a period of years or it may be months. You may not notice this decrease in vision at first, but it will become increasingly evident when trying to do daily activities. Normally, the natural lens of the eye sits within the eye itself, so cataracts are diagnosed by your eye doctor when he/she examines your eye at the slit lamp, which is a special microscope for examining the eye.
Take the Cataract Self-TestSince the cataract is located within your eye, removal of the cataract requires surgery; it cannot be treated with laser surgery (like LASIK) or medicine. It is one of the most common and most successful surgeries performed in this country. All of our Ophthalmologists at Eyesight Ophthalmic Services perform cataract surgery. If you are experiencing symptoms of cataract formation, schedule an initial testing examination with one of our Cataract Counselors who can discuss with you your condition and treatment options.
The goal of cataract surgery is to remove the cloudy lens and replace it with a clear artificial lens designed restore, and even improve your vision.
Cataract surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in a hospital or surgery center. Depending on the case, patients are given a local anesthetic as well as a light sedation to make them feel relaxed during the surgery. Ultrasound is used to break up the cloudy lens (cataract) into tiny pieces which are removed through a small incision. An artificial lens is implanted to replace the cloudy lens that was removed. This artificial lens is specifically selected based on the specific size and shape of your eye so that it will direct the light onto the retina at the back of the eye. Typically, the procedure takes less than 30 minutes. Patients return home the same day, and can resume their usual activities within a few days. Your New Hampshire Cataract Surgeon will explain this entire process prior to surgery and provide all of the after surgery details necessary for a healthy recovery.
There has never been a better time to have cataract surgery. There have been significant advancements in lens technology over the years. Now patients can chose lens implants that allow you to see multiple distances and/or correct astigmatism.
These advancements allow patients to achieve the sharpest vision after cataract surgery and may help reduce or eliminate the need for glasses at all ranges! Of the patients who chose a premium lens implant, most report wearing glasses less than 5% of the day. Our New Hampshire Cataract Surgeons will be happy to discuss the lens that will offer you the best vision possible after cataract surgery based on your lifestyle and vision demands
Eyesight Ophthalmic Services in New Hampshire offers the following Intra-Ocular Lenses:
Tecnis Multifocal, Cystalens, Toric, Trulign Toric and basic monofocal lenses.
"Wonderful experience.....prompt, friendly staff....I was told by many friends that Dr. Szmyd was the one to see for my cataracts....They were RIGHT! I had the cataracts removed and Toric lens....I'm very happy with my eyesight now and Dr. Szmyd was friendly, professional and took the time to answer many questions and concerns I had…."
- Marie W.
Eyesight's offices may be visited at one of three convenient locations in Portsmouth, Exeter, and Somersworth, New Hampshire. For individual office information, click here.
“Dr. Szmyd has been taking care of my right eye for 10 years since my left eye became blind. At that time, I wore contacts and they were no longer advisable. Naturally, I began wearing glasses which I hated every second for the duration. Recently, I needed cataract surgery on my right eye and VOILA! I have returned to civilization and can SEE without glasses. There are not enough words of gratitude I can use to thank Dr. Szmyd for this gift. I’m living. I feel as though I were just born. To look at color – to see everything as sharp as it is! No fuzzy anything! It is A REVELATION. I THANK YOU, Dr. Szmyd, for the good work that you do in your quiet way, you bring your expertise to people like me who love to see the world uninhibited and colors that are vibrant and bring happiness and joy.”
- Danielle L.
“I just love Dr. Szmyd, he has such a calmness about him that makes you feel so relaxed. He takes his time with you and is never rushed. I had my eye operated on and Dr. Szmyd made it an easy going surgery. The staff at Exeter go out of their way to make your visit a pleasant one. Thank you, Dr. Szmyd and your staff.”
- Nina H.
Take the Cataract Self-Test
155 Borthwick Avenue, Suite 200
East Portsmouth,
NH 03801
McReel Building,
192 Water Street, Exeter,
NH 03833
267 Route 108,
Somersworth,
NH 03878