A cataract is an opacification, or clouding, of the natural lens inside of the eye. The lens helps someone focus on objects at different distances. As a part of the normal aging process, changes in the lens can cause it to become cloudy.
Left untreated, a cataract can become so dense that it causes blindness. In fact, cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the world. The original meaning of ‘cataract’ is ‘waterfall,’ and the name was chosen because distorted vision caused by a cataract reminded people of the distorted view that is obtained when looking through a waterfall.
Who gets cataracts?
Most people who develop cataracts are at least 60 years old. Cataracts in older people are so common they can be regarded as normal part of the aging process. Among the major conditions related to cataracts are diabetes or injury to the eye. Medications such as steroids can also cause cataract formation.
In rare cases, congenital cataracts are present at birth. These cataracts are usually related to the mother having German measles, chicken pox, or another infectious disease during pregnancy, or to the child having certain syndromes, such as Marfan’s. Some cataracts are inherited.
What are the symptoms of a cataract?
Typical symptoms include cloudy, fuzzy, foggy, or filmy vision; changes in the perception of colors; problems driving at night because headlights seem too bright; problems with glare from lamps or the sun; frequent changes in one’s eyeglass prescription; or double vision.
These symptoms can also be signs of other eye problems. If you have any of them, consult an ophthalmologist for an eye examination.
How can cataracts be treated?
The natural lens of the eye that has been damaged by a cataract is surgically removed and then replaced with a clear artificial lens. During the surgery, usually done on an outpatient basis, a tiny incision is made in the eye, and the cataract-damaged natural lens is removed through the incision. An artificial lens is then inserted through the same incision. Most patients have significantly improved vision after the procedure.
Can a cataract return?
A cataract cannot return because the entire lens has been removed. However, in as many as half of all people who have extracapsular surgery or phacoemulsification, the lens capsule (the tissue bag that supports the replacement lens) becomes cloudy. This cloudiness can develop months or years after surgery, and it can cause the same vision problems as the original cataract.
The treatment for this condition is a procedure called a YAG laser capsulotomy, which is named for the material used to generate the laser energy (yttrium, aluminum, garnet). The doctor uses a laser (light) beam to make a small opening in the capsule through which light can pass unimpeded. This surgery is painless and does not require a hospital stay. Most people see well after a YAG capsulotomy, but a doctor can discuss the risks in detail.
What are the benefits of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery restores quality vision for millions of patients each year. Numerous research studies show that cataract surgery restores quality-of-life functions including reading, working, moving around, hobbies, safety, self-confidence, independence, daytime and nighttime driving, community and social activities, mental health, and overall life satisfaction.
What are the risks of cataract surgery?
Cataract surgery is performed millions of times every year in the U.S. In fact, it is the most commonly performed surgery in the nation. About 98{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of patients have a complication-free experience that results in improved vision. Nevertheless, cataract surgery has risks and complications. Most complications resolve in a matter of days to months. In rare cases, patients lose some degree of vision permanently as a result of the surgery.
However, it’s no longer necessary to wear thick glasses after cataract surgery. Today, cataract patients who have artificial or intraocular lenses (IOLs) implanted during surgery may only need reading glasses for close vision. Patients who do not receive IOLs wear contact lenses for distance vision and reading glasses for close vision. Some patients choose to wear multifocal contact lenses for all distances.
Continuous innovations in techniques and instruments allow cataract surgeons to treat more patients while keeping costs down and improving the quality of patient care.
Are lasers used to treat cataracts?
In general, no. In some cases, the bag-like capsule membrane that supports the artificial lens that replaces the damaged cataractous natural lens may become clouded several months after cataract surgery. In that case, a YAG laser may be used to make a clear opening in the lens-containing membrane.
What kind of doctor performs cataract surgery?
Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who, after completing medical school and an internship, have had three or more years of special training in eye diseases and surgery. Only ophthalmologists who have had special training in eye surgery are allowed to perform cataract surgery.
This article first appeared on the Web site of the Eye Surgery Education Council,www.eyesurgeryeducation.com |
