What is a cataract?
The lens of the eye is similar to the lens of a camera. Light rays are processed through lens and focused on the retina, which lines the back of the eye. When a cataract forms, the lens becomes cloudy and prevents the retina from clearly registering what you see.
Cataracts most often develop as a result of aging. In fact, it’s estimated that up to 70% of people over the age of 60 will have a least some clouding of the eye’s lens. Other causes of cataracts include ocular trauma, steroid medication, diabetes and prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
What are the symptoms of cataracts?
Patients with cataracts typically experience a slow and painless blurring of vision. Other symptoms of cataracts include glare, particularly at night, frequent eyeglass prescription changes, a decrease in color perception, and in rare cases, double vision.
When should I have my cataract removed?
Fortunately, surgery to remove a cataract will restore all vision lost as a result of a progressive cataract. Cataract surgery is very successful and one of the most common procedures performed in the United States. The timing of when to have surgery is a personal one. Many people choose to have surgery when vision becomes poor enough to interfere with daily activities, like driving or reading.
A new lens implant replaces your cataract
During cataract surgery, the cloudy lens within the eye is removed and replaced with an artificial, permanent lens implant. The last several years have been a very exciting time for cataract surgery. In the past, patients had only one option in terms of lens implants – the standard monofocal lens. This implant was designed to focus light at one point, either distant or near, but not both. Now, new presbyopia-correcting lenses allow patients to see clearly at both far and near distances, which greatly reduces dependence on eyeglasses after surgery. Presbyopia is a common age-related condition in which the eye progressively loses its ability to focus on near objects as the lens becomes less flexible. The requirement for magnification to read, or progressive and bifocal lenses, heralds the onset of presbyopia. There are artificial lens implants that correct astigmatism and these implants also provide excellent visual results.
All of the skilled eye surgeons at University Eye Specialists are trained to implant these premium lenses. If you are considering cataract surgery, a physician at University Eye Specialists can discuss your options with you, including when the time might be right to have surgery.