Cataracts

Over fifty percent of people over the age of 60 (and quite a few younger than that) suffer from cataracts. Almost everyone develops cataracts as they grow older. Cataract formations occur at different rates and can affect one or both eyes.

A cataract is a progressive clouding of the eye's natural lens. It interferes with light passing through the eye to the retina. Aging and other factors cause proteins in the eye's lens to clump together forming these cloudy areas. Early changes may not disturb vision, but over time cataracts typically result in blurred or fuzzy vision and sensitivity to light. People with progressed cataracts often say they feel as if they're looking through a waterfall or a piece of wax paper.


Symptoms of cataracts:
  • decreasing vision with age
  • blurred or double vision
  • seeing halos around bright lights
  • difficulty seeing at night
  • vision that worsens in sunlight
  • difficulty distinguishing colors
  • poor depth perception
  • frequent prescription changes for glasses
  • difficulty reading
Causes of cataracts:
  • age
  • eye trauma
  • heredity
  • diabetes
  • some medications including long-term use of oral steroids
  • ultraviolet radiation
  • smoking
  • glaucoma
  • certain metabolic conditions

Diagnosing cataracts:

Your eye doctor can perform a contrast sensitivity test to determine how much your vision has been affected by a cataract. But typically, when decreased vision affects your everyday activities or hobbies, a cataract should be treated.

Treating cataracts:

Currently there is no medical treatment to reverse or prevent the development of cataracts. Once they form, the only one way to achieve clear vision again is through cataract surgery.

 What Happens During Cataract Surgery?

Cataract surgery usually is done on an outpatient basis. You may be asked to skip breakfast and avoid drinking liquids, depending on the time of your surgery. Also, do not wear eye makeup on the day of surgery. Upon arrival at the facility, you will be given eye drops to dilate your pupils and perhaps a sedative to help you relax. A local or topical anesthetic will make the operation painless.

The skin around your eye will be thoroughly cleansed, and sterile coverings will be placed around your eye and head. Under an operating microscope, at least one small incision is made into the eye. The surgeon will then remove your cloudy lens (the cataract).

This procedure can be performed using an ultrasound-driven instrument that "sonically" breaks up the cataract (phacoemulsification) as it is suctioned (aspirated) out of the eye.

The surgeon will insert a flexible lens inside the eye to replace the natural lens that was removed.

Most incisions used for cataract surgery are self-sealing. However, on occasion, incisions may need to be sutured. When stitches are used, they rarely need to be removed.