Dr. Joshua Y. Apple is a partner at Eastside Eye Physicians, where cataract surgery is his surgical specialty, and he brings something specific to a practice that has cared for Metro Detroit families since 1955: board certification in comprehensive ophthalmology paired with fellowship training in glaucoma. For patients in Shelby Township, Romeo, and Rochester Hills who are weighing a cataract evaluation, keeping an eye on their eye pressure, or simply looking for an ophthalmologist they can stay with for years, that combination shapes how every visit is run.
This article introduces Dr. Apple, explains what his training means for your care, and walks through what happens when a cataract starts to change how you see. Dr. Apple sees patients at both our Shelby Township and St. Clair Shores offices. His full biography is on the Dr. Joshua Y. Apple profile page.
Wayne State, Kresge, and a Glaucoma Fellowship
Dr. Apple earned his medical degree at the Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit and completed his surgical residency at the Kresge Eye Institute, also in Detroit. He has been in practice since 2016 and is a board-certified comprehensive ophthalmologist. Beyond residency, he completed fellowship training in glaucoma, the group of conditions that damage the optic nerve, often without early symptoms.
That path keeps him close to the institutions that trained much of the practice. Several Eastside Eye physicians completed their residencies at Kresge, and members of the group have spent years teaching residents there, so Dr. Apple joins colleagues who share his foundation and his preference for careful, efficient exams.
Why a Glaucoma Background Matters When You Have a Cataract
Cataracts and glaucoma are separate problems. A cataract clouds the natural lens inside the eye, while glaucoma affects the optic nerve that carries images to the brain. Both become more common with age, though, and plenty of patients have some degree of each. When they overlap, the plan has to account for both.
A physician with glaucoma training looks closely at eye pressure, the drainage angle, and the health of the optic nerve before recommending any cataract procedure. Patients who use glaucoma drops may need their routine reviewed around surgery, and some will want to discuss whether a glaucoma procedure belongs in the same plan. The practice offers glaucoma care ranging from prescription drops to laser treatment and surgery, described on our glaucoma treatment page.
That background matters well beyond cataract care. The most common form of glaucoma is painless and progresses slowly, so it is usually discovered at a medical eye exam rather than because a patient noticed something wrong. Having a glaucoma-trained physician review your pressure readings and optic nerve findings over the years gives you a consistent, experienced set of eyes on a condition where early treatment protects the vision you still have.
From First Exam to Lens Decision
Cataracts develop gradually, so many people adapt without realizing how much has changed. Glare from headlights, faded colors, and trouble reading in dim light are common early signs. Patients no longer need to wait for a cataract to become “ripe”; the timing of surgery is a shared decision based on how much the cataract is getting in the way of daily life. Our overview of how cataracts form and progress covers the warning signs in more depth.
A cataract evaluation typically includes:
- A dilated medical eye exam to confirm the cataract and check the retina and optic nerve
- Measurements of the eye used to calculate the power of the replacement lens
- A conversation about how you use your vision, from night driving to reading and screen work
- A review of any other eye conditions, such as glaucoma or diabetic eye disease, that could affect planning
Lens Choices Worth Talking Through
Removing the clouded lens is only half the decision. The implant that replaces it determines how you see afterward, and Eastside Eye Physicians offers more than one type.
Standard monofocal lenses
A monofocal implant is set for a single distance, usually far. Most patients who choose it still wear glasses for reading and some close work.
Multifocal lenses
A multifocal lens has more than one focusing zone built into a single implant, so it can provide clear vision at different distances, such as far away and up close. It is designed to reduce reliance on glasses for many everyday activities.
The right lens depends on your eye health, your prescription, and your priorities. A patient with glaucoma may be guided toward a different option than someone whose eyes are otherwise healthy, which is exactly where Dr. Apple’s training is useful.
The First Days After Surgery
Dr. Apple performs cataract surgery at Lakeshore Eye Surgery Center in St. Clair Shores, where most Eastside Eye procedures take place. Vision often improves within hours, and most people return to their normal daily activities, including work, within one to two days. For the first week or two you will be asked to avoid anything that could bump the eye or expose it to an unclean environment, and your surgeon will add any other instructions at your follow-up visits. Our cataract surgery questions page covers recovery and the surgery center in more detail.
Every eye heals a little differently, so your own timeline will be discussed with you before and after the procedure.
Questions Patients Bring to Dr. Apple
What does fellowship training in glaucoma mean?
After completing residency in ophthalmology, Dr. Apple pursued additional training focused on diagnosing and treating glaucoma. That training informs how he evaluates eye pressure and optic nerve health in every patient, including those who come in for cataract care.
Where is cataract surgery performed?
Most surgery takes place at Lakeshore Eye Surgery Center in St. Clair Shores, on Greater Mack Avenue north of 8 Mile Road. The physicians also hold privileges at the St. John Ambulatory Surgical Centers in St. Clair Shores and Macomb Township.
Can a cataract come back after surgery?
The original cataract cannot return. Sometimes the thin membrane that holds the implant becomes hazy later on, which is often called a secondary cataract. It can be cleared with a quick in-office laser procedure called a YAG capsulotomy.
Will I still need glasses after cataract surgery?
That depends on the lens you choose. Patients with a standard monofocal lens usually need glasses for reading. Multifocal lenses are designed to reduce dependence on glasses, though how much varies from one patient to the next.
Start With an Exam in Shelby Township
Whether you are noticing early cataract symptoms, want a closer look at your eye pressure, or are searching for an ophthalmologist your whole family can see, a visit with Dr. Apple is a good place to begin. Call our Shelby Township office to arrange a visit, or send us an appointment request online and our team will follow up with you.