Are cataracts clouding your worldview?

What are Cataracts?

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of your eye. The lens works like the lens of a camera or telescope by adjusting as needed to help you see things up close or far away. The lens is made of water and protein, arranged in a way the lets light pass through, unobstructed. As you age, the proteins may begin to clump together, resulting in a clouded area in the lens, and clouded areas in your vision.

Types of Cataracts

Subcapsular cataracts begin at the back of the lens. This type of cataract is most common in people with diabetes, high farsightedness, retinitis pigmentosa or those taking high doses of steroids.

Nuclear cataracts form in the center of the lens and are associated with the natural aging process.

Cortical cataracts form in the lens cortex, and gradually grow from the outside of the lens to the center. Cortical cataracts are common in patients with diabetes.

Cataracts Examination

An exam for cataracts usually includes the following elements:

Visual Acuity

Using charts placed at different distances, your doctor will determine how well you can see objects at different distances, with or without corrective lenses.

Intraocular Pressure Test

This test measures pressure inside the eye. It can be conducted using an applanation tonometer, where a pressure-sensitive tip is gently placed against the eye.

Ophthalmoscopy

During this procedure, special drops will be placed in your eyes to dilate your pupils, giving your doctor a larger “window” to see inside the eye. The main objective is to observe the retina and the other internal structures of the eye. Other tests may also be performed to learn more about how your eyes react under specific conditions.

Treatment

Once your tests are completed and analyzed, we will discuss the results with you and determine the proper treatment plan if one is needed.

Because cataracts form inside the lens, they cannot be removed with lasers or by changing one's diet or medication. The best way to treat cataracts is by removing the natural lens and replacing it with a new artificial lens.

Cataract surgery is a relatively painless prodecure that is generally performed on an outpatient basis. It requires only topical anesthetic, and it is considered to be one of the safest and most simple procedures performed today.

During the operation a tiny incision is made in the eye. The surgeon inserts a very small device, about the size of the tip of a pen, through the incision to remove the old lens. The new lens is inserted and set into place through this same incision.

Recovery

Eyedrops will be prescribed to prevent infection at the incision site, inflammation and corneal swelling. You will wear an eye patch the day of surgery and for the first week after surgery when you sleep only to protect from any outside irritants or injury while your eye heals. Most patients will be able to return to their regular activities within a few days of surgery.