Eye without a cataract
Eye with a cataract
What is a Cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be
compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed.
There are many misconceptions about cataract. Cataract is not:
a film over the eye;
caused by overusing the eyes;
spread from one eye to the other;
a cause of irreversible blindness.
Common symptoms of cataract include:
a painless blurring of vision;
glare, or light sensitivity;
poor night vision;
double vision in one eye;
needing brighter light to read;
fading or yellowing of colors.
The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the
cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a
cataract is present.
What Causes Cataracts?
The most common type of cataract is related to aging of the eye. Causes
of cataract include:
family history;
medical problems, such as diabetes;
injury to the eye;
medications, especially steroids;
long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight;
previous eye surgery;
unknown factors.
How is a cataract detected?
A thorough eye examination by your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) can
detect the presence of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that
may be causing blurred vision or other eye problems.
Problems with other parts of the eye (eg, cornea, retina, optic nerve) can
be responsible for vision loss and may prevent you from having much or
any improvement in vision after cataract surgery. If improvement in your
vision is unlikely, cataract removal may not be recommended. Your
ophthalmologist can tell you how much visual improvement is likely.
How fast does a cataract develop?
How quickly the cataract develops varies among individuals, and may
even be different between the two eyes. Most age-related cataracts
progress gradually over a period of years.
Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes,
may progress rapidly over a short time. It is not possible to predict exactly
how fast cataracts will develop in any given person.
How are cataracts treated?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. However, if symptoms
of cataract are not bothering you very much, surgery may not be needed.
Sometimes a simple change in your eyeglass prescription may be helpful.
There are no medications, dietary supplements or exercises that have
been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.
Protection from excessive sunlight may help slow the progression of
cataracts. Sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular
eyeglasses with a clear, anti-UV coating offer this protection.
When should surgery be done?
Surgery should be considered when cataracts cause enough loss of
vision to interfere with your daily activities.
It is not true that cataracts need to be "ripe" before they can be removed,
or that they need to be removed just because they are present.
Cataract surgery can be performed when your visual needs require it.
You must decide if you can see to do your job and drive safely or, if you
can read and watch TV in comfort. Can you see well enough to perform
daily tasks, such as cooking, shopping, yard work or taking medications
without difficulty?
Based on your symptoms, you and your ophthalmologist should decide
together when surgery is appropriate.
What can I expect from cataract surgery?
Over 1.4 million people have cataract surgery each year in the United
States, and more than 95% of those surgeries are performed with no
complications.
During cataract surgery, which is usually performed under local or topical
anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, the cloudy lens is removed from
the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored
by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant.
Your ophthalmologist performs this delicate surgery using a microscope,
miniature instruments and other modern technology.
In many people who have cataract surgery, the natural capsule that
supports the intraocular lens becomes cloudy. Laser surgery is used to
open this cloudy capsule, restoring clear vision.
You will have to take eyedrops as your ophthalmologist directs. Your
surgeon will check your eye several times to make sure it is healing
properly.
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure. Improved vision is the
result in over 95% of cases, unless there is a problem with the cornea,
retina, optic nerve or other structures. It is important to understand that
complications can occur during or after the surgery, some severe enough
to limit vision. If you experience even the slightest problem after cataract
surgery, your ophthalmologist will want to hear from you immediately.
Conclusion
Cataracts are a common cause of decreased vision, particularly for the
elderly, but they are treatable. Your ophthalmologist can tell you whether
cataract or some other problem is the cause of your vision loss and can
help you decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you.
A cataract is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye. It can be
compared to a window that is frosted or yellowed.
There are many misconceptions about cataract. Cataract is not:
a film over the eye;
caused by overusing the eyes;
spread from one eye to the other;
a cause of irreversible blindness.
Common symptoms of cataract include:
a painless blurring of vision;
glare, or light sensitivity;
poor night vision;
double vision in one eye;
needing brighter light to read;
fading or yellowing of colors.
The amount and pattern of cloudiness within the lens can vary. If the
cloudiness is not near the center of the lens, you may not be aware that a
cataract is present.
What Causes Cataracts?
The most common type of cataract is related to aging of the eye. Causes
of cataract include:
family history;
medical problems, such as diabetes;
injury to the eye;
medications, especially steroids;
long-term, unprotected exposure to sunlight;
previous eye surgery;
unknown factors.
How is a cataract detected?
A thorough eye examination by your ophthalmologist (Eye M.D.) can
detect the presence of a cataract, as well as any other conditions that
may be causing blurred vision or other eye problems.
Problems with other parts of the eye (eg, cornea, retina, optic nerve) can
be responsible for vision loss and may prevent you from having much or
any improvement in vision after cataract surgery. If improvement in your
vision is unlikely, cataract removal may not be recommended. Your
ophthalmologist can tell you how much visual improvement is likely.
How fast does a cataract develop?
How quickly the cataract develops varies among individuals, and may
even be different between the two eyes. Most age-related cataracts
progress gradually over a period of years.
Other cataracts, especially in younger people and people with diabetes,
may progress rapidly over a short time. It is not possible to predict exactly
how fast cataracts will develop in any given person.
How are cataracts treated?
Surgery is the only way a cataract can be removed. However, if symptoms
of cataract are not bothering you very much, surgery may not be needed.
Sometimes a simple change in your eyeglass prescription may be helpful.
There are no medications, dietary supplements or exercises that have
been shown to prevent or cure cataracts.
Protection from excessive sunlight may help slow the progression of
cataracts. Sunglasses that screen out ultraviolet (UV) light rays or regular
eyeglasses with a clear, anti-UV coating offer this protection.
When should surgery be done?
Surgery should be considered when cataracts cause enough loss of
vision to interfere with your daily activities.
It is not true that cataracts need to be "ripe" before they can be removed,
or that they need to be removed just because they are present.
Cataract surgery can be performed when your visual needs require it.
You must decide if you can see to do your job and drive safely or, if you
can read and watch TV in comfort. Can you see well enough to perform
daily tasks, such as cooking, shopping, yard work or taking medications
without difficulty?
Based on your symptoms, you and your ophthalmologist should decide
together when surgery is appropriate.
What can I expect from cataract surgery?
Over 1.4 million people have cataract surgery each year in the United
States, and more than 95% of those surgeries are performed with no
complications.
During cataract surgery, which is usually performed under local or topical
anesthesia as an outpatient procedure, the cloudy lens is removed from
the eye. In most cases, the focusing power of the natural lens is restored
by replacing it with a permanent intraocular lens implant.
Your ophthalmologist performs this delicate surgery using a microscope,
miniature instruments and other modern technology.
In many people who have cataract surgery, the natural capsule that
supports the intraocular lens becomes cloudy. Laser surgery is used to
open this cloudy capsule, restoring clear vision.
You will have to take eyedrops as your ophthalmologist directs. Your
surgeon will check your eye several times to make sure it is healing
properly.
Cataract surgery is a highly successful procedure. Improved vision is the
result in over 95% of cases, unless there is a problem with the cornea,
retina, optic nerve or other structures. It is important to understand that
complications can occur during or after the surgery, some severe enough
to limit vision. If you experience even the slightest problem after cataract
surgery, your ophthalmologist will want to hear from you immediately.
Conclusion
Cataracts are a common cause of decreased vision, particularly for the
elderly, but they are treatable. Your ophthalmologist can tell you whether
cataract or some other problem is the cause of your vision loss and can
help you decide if cataract surgery is appropriate for you.
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