 A cataract is a cloudy area in the normally clear lens, one of the structures in the front of the eye. Cataracts are caused by a breakdown of the protein that makes up the lens. They eventually cause blurred or distorted vision. They cannot be prevented but early detection through regular eye exams can help maintain the clearest vision possible.
People at greatest risk for developing cataracts are generally over 55 years old, have a history of diabetes, have had eye injuries or disease, have a family history of cataracts, smoke cigarettes or use certain medications. There is no pain associated with the condition, but there are several symptoms that indicate failing vision may be due to cataracts. These include:
- Blurred/hazy vision, difficulty keeping glasses clean
- Sensitivity to glare especially with night driving
- Difficulty reading the print on television
- Problems in reading fine print or threading needles
- A temporary improvement in near vision may represent early cataract development.
During modern cataract surgery, a small ultrasonic probe is inserted into the eye which breaks up, or emulsifies, the cloudy lens into tiny pieces and gently sucks, or aspirates, those pieces out of the eye. Surgery requires a small incision of only three mm or less. To make your procedure as painless as possible, anesthesia is a combination of local and/or topical along with IV sedation.
With the recent advance of foldable intraocular lenses (IOLs), they can be implanted through the same small incision that is created in the procedure. These IOLs are made of a flexible material, allowing them to be folded for implantation. Once inside the eye, the lens unfolds and returns to its original shape.
For patients undergoing cataract removal, and interested in no longer needing glasses after surgery, there are several newer techniques we utilize, which may eliminate the need for glasses after surgery. Although not true in every case, many people, after surgery, are able to go the entire day without putting on glasses.
To make this possible we make adjustments in the amounts of astigmatism by means of Limbal Relaxing Incisions or by placing an implant that corrects degrees of astigmatism.
For those who have been very near-sighted or far-sighted in the past we are able to place implants that can counter-act their previous condition and reduce their need for glasses.
If all else fails or if patients have had surgery in the past with a continuing need for glasses, many can have Lasik surgery to correct the remaining refractive error.
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