Cataract Surgery in Irvine, CA · Dr. Todd Driver
Precision surgery.
Clarity you can see, and understand.
I'm Dr. Todd Driver, a fellowship-trained cataract and refractive surgeon at OC Eye Associates in Irvine. I restore vision with advanced surgical techniques, and I make sure you understand every step before we take it.
OC Eye Associates · 9 Corporate Park, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92606 · New to cataracts? Start here

How I help you choose the right cataract lens
It's your eye and your decision.
Modern cataract surgery is very precise, but the technology doesn't replace a surgeon's judgment. I take the time to understand how you use your vision day to day and explain your options in plain language, and I only recommend what I would recommend to my own family.
About Dr. Todd Driver, board-certified cataract surgeon in Irvine
Cataract surgery takes about ten minutes, and it can change someone's life.
I chose this field because patients notice the difference so quickly. A patient comes in seeing the world through fog, and by the next day the fog usually starts to lift, so colors are sharper and faces are clearer. I've done thousands of these procedures, and that moment is still the best part of my job.
I'm a board-certified Orange County ophthalmologist and cataract surgeon at OC Eye Associates in Irvine, California. My practice centers on advanced cataract surgery with premium intraocular lenses (IOLs), including the Light Adjustable Lens and toric lenses for astigmatism, along with laser vision correction.
Teaching is still a big part of how I practice. It's why I make patient education videos, and it's why I try to make sure every consultation ends with all of your questions answered. If you're curious how the lens options compare, my interactive lens vision simulator shows you the difference in daylight and at night.
Outside of the operating room I'm usually outdoors, most often on skis. I grew up in Colorado, and Southern California hasn't broken the habit. If you want to know what my patients say, their reviews are collected here.
- Medical degree
- UCSF School of Medicine, Alpha Omega Alpha
- Residency
- UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute, with awards for teaching residents and medical students
- Fellowship
- Cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery, UCSF F.I. Proctor Foundation
- Recognition
- 2027 Physician of Excellence, Orange County Medical Association (peer-reviewed, featured in Orange Coast Magazine)
Patient Stories
What cataract surgery patients in Orange County say
In their own words.
These are real patients, not actors, talking about their surgery and their results. Read my reviews on Google, Tebra and Healthgrades.
Kathy · Cataract surgery patient of Dr. Driver
Read the transcript of Kathy's story
I was referred to Dr. Driver. I had originally gone to another cataract surgeon, and he had examined my eyes and had determined that I had the most unique eyes he'd ever seen in his practice. And he said, "We need to find someone who won't be afraid to take care of you."
I had quit driving at the advice of all of the doctors along the way. I came in and met Dr. Driver and he looked at everything and he said, "Oh, yes, your eyes are unique, but I got you. I do unique eyes all the time.
These aren't special to me." Because the other doctors, they kind of made me feel as if I was hopeless, and he gave me hope, and I appreciated that the most about Dr. Driver. Quite frankly, before the surgery, when I was sitting in the chair at the doctor's office, I couldn't see the wall, the door, the jamb.
After I had the surgery, came back on Friday morning, and they took the patch off, and I could see the door, the jamb, the little box. Already that was a big improvement for me. When I walked out of the recovery and I could see my husband and my son, I was like, "Hallelujah." And then we got in the car, and as we were driving home, I could see the license plates of the cars in front of me.
I was just overjoyed because I hadn't been able to see any of those things in a very long time. I could see "Pacific Coast Highway." I mean, I could see all the signs of things that I hadn't been able to see, even with my glasses. My vision was 20/30.
And for me, that's a miracle. And honestly the day after my first surgery when I came in, he was as overjoyed as I was, and his staff was. They were all, like, cheering because everybody knew how horrible it had been. So now not only can I wake up every single day, I'm not wearing glasses, I'm not wearing a contact.
I can just see. When I'm watching TV, all the little, tiny words at the bottom of the TV, I can read them. We were never able to watch anything that had captions. So for me, this is life-changing, absolutely life-changing.
We had sparkles put into our concrete a year ago. I'd never seen them. I came in, my husband, I said, "I see sparkles." I can literally just wake up and see.
And so even doing crafts with my granddaughters is so much more enjoyable now because I can truly participate. I play dominoes with my girlfriends, I had quit playing because I couldn't really see what was going on. I'm a voracious reader. I read maybe a book a day if I can I can read my phone.
I can read menus. I don't have to put on readers or anything for that So for me, yes, it's been life-changing. And Dr. Driver was confident he could help me, and I had confidence in him.
But from the very beginning, Dr. Driver was, "Patients like you are why I do what I do, because I know now that I have changed your life," and he did.
Jerry · Cataract surgery patient of Dr. Driver
Read the transcript of Jerry's story
After I had the treatment, and the next day it was unbelievable because the fog was gone, the haze was gone. I could see perfectly. The reason I came to OC Eye Associates, I was referred by my primary doctor and this is one that he recommended. And initially, the reason I came was I had cataract.
So the biggest reason that I went to this practice is that I've told it was a good practice for cataracts. And when I met with Dr. Driver, I told Dr. Driver my history on my puckering macula, and I said I couldn't afford to have the same thing happen on my left eye, and if it did, I wouldn't be able to drive.
Initially, what had happened, I had gone in to get a driver's license, and the place there said basically I was legally blind because of the cataract in my left eye and the puckering macula in my right eye. So that's what started the whole thing. It was like I was in a fog all the time. It was hazy, and I could still drive, I could still see street signs, but I had to get up pretty close to see the street signs.
And so my wife started driving until I got the cataract done. The biggest reason I wanted to get it corrected was for golf. I'm a big golfer. I love golfing.
I play four or five times a week. And when I was standing over the ball, it was hard to see the ball just in front of me to hit the ball, and then when I would get on the greens, I couldn't read the greens. I had no idea which way the greens were going. And that's basically the main reason that I wanted the cataract surgery done and make sure that it was done right.
My wife was with me, and we were both really impressed with him. Very professional, and he made me feel at home. And so when he came in, I was concerned that they wouldn't be able to do the cataract, and he made me feel comfortable and so that was the biggest reason to do it, too. Dr.
Driver, initially, I was talking about getting a basic cataract lens, and he was the one that told me that there was a different procedure called the light adjustable lens and that he felt more comfortable if I would get that, that I would have better outcome, long term if I had that procedure. When I went in to see Dr. Driver, he explained the process to me, and I had to go to an outside surgical center, which was Newport Bay Surgical Center, and the people there were outstanding, too. But the actual procedure, I think Dr.
Driver just told me it was, like, two minutes or something, and I don't even remember any. I just remember laying there, and boom, I woke up. Or didn't wake up, he never put me out, but it was great to me, it's like a whole different world. And it's amazing that the day I had the operation, I went home basically and laid in bed and just relaxed, and the next day I could see.
But it's a whole different world. It's something that I'm so happy I did. I can see a ball on the green 350 yards away, and I can see the flag stick 350 yards away, so it's the best thing ever. And as far as driving, I can see all the street signs, and it's really been amazing for me.
I absolutely love it. After the treatment, I have six grandkids, I could see their faces. It's amazing to me too after the treatment. But before the treatment, everyone, their faces were distorted, and it was hard to really see what people looked like.
And after this treatment, it was as clear as I'm sitting here looking at you, and you're as clear as can be, and I'm looking at the other people that are here, and they're as clear as can be. So it's been perfect for me. I would recommend everyone to have Dr. Driver as their eye ophthalmologist.
He's done an outstanding job for me. He's opened up a whole new world for me. I've seen optometrists for years, different ones off and on, and he's by far the best one that I've ever seen.
Patient Education
Cataract surgery questions, answered by a surgeon
You can learn a lot before you ever come in for an exam.
On my YouTube channel I break down cataract surgery, lens options, and what recovery really looks like, and they're the same explanations I give my patients in the office.
Explore the Video LibraryIs Cataract Surgery Scary? What you'll actually see during surgery · read the article
Can I Go Blind From Cataract Surgery? What the real risks are · read the article
Why You Still Need Glasses After Cataract Surgery. Astigmatism and lens options · read the article
Interactive Tool
See How Each Cataract Lens Option Looks, Day and Night
Compare monofocal, toric, trifocal, extended depth of focus, and the Light Adjustable Lens in a photo-realistic simulator, including halos and glare while driving at night.
Try the Lens Simulator Take the 60-Second Lens QuizAcademic & Surgical Training
Training: UCSF, UCLA Jules Stein, and the UCSF Proctor Foundation
Trained at the institutions that set the standard.
Every recommendation I make is backed by training at some of the most rigorous programs in American ophthalmology.
Undergraduate
University of Colorado, Boulder
Foundation in the sciences
Medical Degree
UCSF School of Medicine
Elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society
Ophthalmology Residency
UCLA Jules Stein Eye Institute
Among the most selective residencies in the specialty
Fellowship
UCSF Proctor Foundation
Advanced subspecialty surgical training
Common Questions
Cataract surgery FAQs
Short answers to what I get asked most.
My video library goes into more depth, or you can just ask me when you come in.
Is cataract surgery painful?
No. We numb the eye with drops, and most patients only feel some mild pressure or see a light show of colors. The surgery itself usually takes around ten minutes per eye, and a lot of people are surprised by how easy it was.
How long is recovery?
Most patients notice clearer vision within a day or two. Light activity is fine within 24 hours, and vision continues to sharpen as the eye fully heals over several weeks. You'll use prescription drops during that time and see me for a few short follow-up visits.
Can cataract surgery correct astigmatism?
Yes. We can treat astigmatism during the same surgery, with a toric lens or with surgical techniques like relaxing incisions. Correcting it at the time of surgery meaningfully reduces your dependence on glasses afterward.
Which lens implant is best?
There isn't one best lens for everyone. It depends on your eyes and how you live. The options range from standard monofocal lenses to extended depth of focus and multifocal designs, and the Light Adjustable Lens, which can be fine-tuned after surgery. You can compare how each lens type sees in my interactive lens simulator, and at your consultation we figure out which one fits the way you use your vision.
Do I need surgery if my vision still seems okay?
Not necessarily. Cataracts progress slowly, and the right time for surgery is when they start getting in the way of things you care about, like driving at night, reading, or recognizing faces. An exam tells us where you stand, and I don't ask anyone to decide before they're ready.
How do I choose a cataract surgeon?
In my opinion you want board certification, fellowship training, a lot of surgical experience, and access to modern technology. Then pay attention to how the surgeon talks with you, because you should leave a consultation understanding your options better than when you walked in. My cataract surgery page goes through what to expect in detail.
Which premium lenses do you implant?
I implant toric lenses for astigmatism, extended depth of focus and multifocal lenses for a wider range of vision, and the Light Adjustable Lens. The one that fits you depends on your measurements and how you use your vision, and I don't pick a lens just because it's the newest one.
Do you offer the Light Adjustable Lens?
Yes. The Light Adjustable Lens is the only lens whose prescription can be fine-tuned after your eye has healed, with light treatments in the office. It means more follow-up visits than a standard lens, so at your consultation we talk through whether that's worth it for your eyes.
Do you use laser-assisted cataract surgery and ORA?
Yes, in the cases where the evidence supports them. The femtosecond laser and ORA, which measures your eye during surgery to double-check the lens power, are really useful, especially in eyes that have had LASIK or have unusual measurements. They aren't automatically better for every eye, and I'll tell you when standard technique will do just as well.
Do you perform LASIK?
Yes, along with PRK. I completed fellowship training in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at UCSF's Proctor Foundation. Whether you're a candidate, and which procedure suits you, depends on your prescription, how thick your cornea is, and the health of the surface of your eye.
Do you treat keratoconus?
Yes. I perform corneal cross-linking, which is used to slow the progression of keratoconus. Cornea was my fellowship subspecialty, so keratoconus and other corneal conditions are a regular part of my practice.
What is your training?
I earned my medical degree at UCSF, where I was elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. I completed my ophthalmology residency at UCLA's Jules Stein Eye Institute, where I received awards for teaching residents and medical students, and fellowship training in cornea, external disease, and refractive surgery at UCSF's F.I. Proctor Foundation.
Where do you see patients?
At OC Eye Associates, 9 Corporate Park, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92606. I am also a member of the medical staff at Hoag. Appointments are made by phone at (949) 653-9500.
Take the Next Step
Book a cataract consultation in Irvine
Better vision starts with a conversation.
Schedule a consultation at my practice, OC Eye Associates. We'll look at your vision and your options together and build a plan that's right for you, and you decide on the timing.
Call to Book: (949) 653-9500Prefer we call you? Request a callback
OC Eye Associates · 9 Corporate Park, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92606
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