A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens. A healthy, clear lens is made up of protein and water arranged in a manner that allows light to easily pass through so that the lens can focus light on the retina. A cataract occurs when the protein clumps together in an area of the lens. This causes opacity which scatters the light on the retina. The clouded area can expand over time causing increased loss of vision. Left untreated, blindness can result.
How Common are Cataracts?
Approximately 21 million Americans have cataracts. Just about everyone will get a cataract if they live long enough. According to the National Eye Institute, over half of all Americans either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery by age 80.
What Causes Cataracts?
There is no single cause of cataracts. There are a number of cataract risk factors, with advanced age being the primary risk factor. Factors associated with cataracts include:
- Advanced age
- Smoking
- UVA/UVB long term exposure
- Medication use – oral steroids, tamoxifen, allopurinol, amiodarone
- Diseases/Disorders – diabetes, glaucoma, metabolic conditions
What are the Symptoms of Cataracts?
Any of these symptoms may indicate that you have cataracts. Cataract symptoms may appear slowly and painlessly, and increase as the cataract grows.
- Cloudy or blurred vision
- Glare or light sensitivity
- Halos around lights
- Poor night vision
- Change in color perception – yellowing or fading of colors
- Double vision
- Frequent changes in glasses/contacts prescription
- A white spot over the pupil of the eye
How are Cataracts Treated?
Symptoms for cataracts in the early stages may be improved with eyeglasses, lighting changes, anti-glare sunglasses, or magnifying lenses. If these do not help sufficiently, and vision loss interferes with your everyday activities, surgery will be necessary. Surgery is the only effective treatment for cataracts.
Cataract Surgery
Cataract surgery is one of the most common, safe, and effective operations performed in the United States. The procedure is typically done on an outpatient basis and takes less than an hour – often only a few minutes. It involves very minimal discomfort, and most stay awake during the surgery. It is usually recommended that the patient be driven home from the surgery and rest for the day, but normal activity such as driving and reading can usually be resumed the following day.
The Procedure
Cataracts are most commonly removed using phacoemulsification or “phaco”. The Ophthalmologist makes a small incision in the cornea and inserts the probe of a phaco device. This device uses ultrasound waves to soften and break up the lens, and it then aspirates the lens. The surgeon will then implant a manufactured Intraocular Lens (IOL) into the natural lens capsule to replace the lens that has been removed.
The Results
Improved vision occurs in over 90% of cases. A study by the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery reported a success rate of over 98% for improved vision with cataract surgery. Many patients are very pleasantly surprised at how well they can see immediately following surgery, and for others the best results may not be realized for a few weeks after surgery. Results are permanent; cataracts will not reoccur.