Posted by: Eye Health Northwest in Announcements on August 6, 2026
Being told you are ready for cataract surgery and then waiting weeks for an available surgical date are two very different experiences. Surgical capacity rarely comes up during a consultation, but it shapes how quickly a patient moves from diagnosis to clearer vision, and in a region where demand for ophthalmic care keeps climbing, it matters more than most people realize.
This is why our recent renovation on the eastside of the Portland metro area is so important. EyeHealth Northwest, a physician-owned practice with over 70 years of experience in surgical eye care, has expanded its Eastside Surgery Center by adding three new operating rooms. It is also the first facility in Oregon to offer the UNITY Cataract System for cataract surgery.
Three New Operating Rooms on the Eastside
The Eastside Surgery and Laser Center at 12050 SE Stevens Road in Happy Valley has served the community since 2004. With the renovation, three new operating rooms have been added. This means more procedures can be done and patients will not have to wait as long for surgery.
If you live in Happy Valley, Clackamas, Gresham, Milwaukie, or nearby, you can now have surgery close to home. Cataract surgery includes a pre-op visit, the surgery, and follow-up appointments, so having a shorter drive each time makes a difference. Most patients spend two to three hours at the center, even though the surgery itself only takes 10 to 20 minutes.
What the UNITY Cataract System Actually Does
During cataract surgery, the cloudy natural lens in your eye is removed and replaced with an artificial lens implant. Each step needs to be precise, from making the incision and removing the cloudy lens to placing the new lens in the right spot behind the pupil.
The UNITY Cataract System combines all the important steps of surgery into one streamlined platform. This gives surgeons more control and consistency with each procedure. For patients, it means a smoother and more efficient experience in the operating room. EyeHealth Northwest is one of the first in Oregon to use this technology, just as it was the first in Portland to offer custom laser cataract surgery.
Better Technology Still Starts With the Right Plan
Equipment alone does not determine how well someone sees after surgery. The intraocular lens option a patient chooses has an enormous influence on the outcome, whether that is a monofocal lens, a toric lens for astigmatism, an extended depth of focus lens, or a light adjustable lens that can be fine-tuned after the eye has healed. Those decisions get made with your ophthalmologist during a consultation, not in the operating room.
It also helps to know what to expect from cataracts as you age, since many people assume gradually dimming or yellowing vision is simply part of getting older and put off an exam for years. A comprehensive eye exam can confirm whether a cataract is the cause of blurry vision, or whether something else is at work, such as a corneal issue, glaucoma, or macular degeneration. That distinction matters, because a pre-existing condition can limit how much vision improves after the cataract is removed.
When to have surgery is something you and your doctor decide together, not a strict rule. The American Academy of Ophthalmology says surgery is usually considered when cataracts start to interfere with your daily activities. Your ophthalmologist will look at how cloudy your lens is and how much it affects your life.
When Was Your Last Cataract Evaluation?
Since 1954, our practice has grown to more than 600 employees at 18 locations in the Portland metro area and Southwest Washington. We offer cataract surgery, LASIK, and care for glaucoma, retina, cornea, and cosmetic eye needs. If you have cloudy vision, glare at night, or your glasses prescription keeps changing and is affecting your daily life, it is time for an evaluation.
Schedule an appointment at EyeHealth Northwest in Portland, OR, today.
