cataracts
What Is It?
Cataracts are a clouding of the eye's natural crystalline lens that typically causes the vision to become blurry. This natural lens is located behind the iris and pupil. As we get older our lens becomes slightly more yellow every year and slowly loses its clarity. Cataracts are classified as one of three common types:
• nuclear cataract is most commonly seen. This cataract forms in the nucleus, the center of the lens, and is due to natural aging changes.
• cortical cataract, which forms in the lens cortex, gradually extends from the outside of the lens to the center in a triangular or "pie-shaped" pattern.
• sub-capsular cataract begins at the back of the lens near the posterior lens capsule. |
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 What causes it?
No one knows for sure why the eye's lens changes as we age. Researchers are gradually identifying factors that may cause cataracts. Many studies suggest that exposure to UV light is associated with cataract development, so we recommend wearing sunglasses to lessen your exposure. Other studies suggest people with diabetes are at risk for developing a cataract. Other risk factors include cigarette smoke, air pollution, poor nutrition, and heavy alcohol consumption. |
Cataract Symptoms & Signs
A cataract starts out small, and at first has little effect on your vision. You may notice that your vision is blurred a little, like looking through a cloudy piece of glass. A cataract may make light from the sun or a lamp seem too bright or glaring. Or you may notice when you drive at night that the oncoming headlights cause more glare than before. Colors may not appear as bright as they once did. The type of cataract you have will effect exactly which symptoms you experience and how soon they will occur. When a nuclear cataract first develops it can bring about a temporary improvement in your near vision, called "second sight." Unfortunately, the improved vision is short-lived and will disappear as the cataract worsens. Meanwhile, a sub-capsular cataract may not produce any symptoms until it's well-developed. When symptoms begin to appear, you may be able to improve your vision for a while using new glasses, strong bifocals, magnification, appropriate lighting or other visual aids. |
 How do we treat it?
Many people consider poor vision an inevitable fact of aging, but cataract surgery is a simple, relatively painless procedure to regain vision. Modern cataract surgery is very successful in restoring vision. In fact, it is the most frequently performed surgery in the United States, with over 1.5 million cataract surgeries performed each year. Nine out of 10 people who have cataract surgery regain very good vision, somewhere between 20/20 and 20/40. We recommend cataract surgery once your cataracts have progressed enough to impair your vision and affect your daily life. During surgery, the surgeon will remove your clouded lens, and replace it with a clear, synthetic intraocular lens (IOL). New IOL's are being developed all the time to make the surgery less complicated for surgeons and the lenses more helpful to patients. Currently there are many options for which type of lens can be implanted including the new multi-focal lenses that help reduce the dependency on reading glasses after surgery. This surgery is typically an outpatient procedure and you can go home the same day. You may be required to use eye drops for the first few weeks after surgery and you will most likely need a new pair of glasses a few weeks after the eye has completely healed.
Prevention
Some eye care practitioners believe that a diet high in certain anti-oxidants, such as beta-carotene, selenium and vitamins C and E, may forestall cataract development. Other ways you can help reduce your risk is to wear quality sunglasses that block all forms of UV, stop smoking and maintain good general health. Ask your eye care provider at your annual health and vision exam about other options.
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