Cataract

Cataract... What You Need to Know A cataract is a clouding of the eye's lens. The vast majority of cataracts are related to age. Most people do not even realize they have a cataract, as cataracts grow very slowly and may not impede vision early on. After a number of years vision will likely be affected. When the cataract has become so dense that it compromises the patient's quality of life, the patient and ophthalmologist will discuss the appropriate time to remove it. Surgery is the only treatment. Symptoms of Cataract: Double vision Blurred vision Sensitivity to light Colors that appear washed out Frequent changes to eyeglass prescription There are Different Types of Cataracts: Congenital – although it is not common, some babies are born with cataracts or develop them within the first year of life Traumatic – this results from an injury to the eye Secondary – this is a cataract that is caused either by medications (most commonly prednisone or other corticosteroids) or disease, like diabetes. Cataracts are 10 times more common in diabetic patients than in the general population. Age-related – this is the most common kind of cataract. There are three subclassifications, based on location: nuclear, cortical and posterior subcapsular. Prevention / Treatment Surgical removal of cataracts and replacement with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens) is the most successful surgical procedure in the country. This is performed on an out-patient basis under local anesthesia. Although there is no surefire way to prevent cataracts from forming, there is evidence to show that protecting your eyes from ultraviolet light may prevent or slow the progression of cataracts. Smoking also increases the rate of cataract formation, so stopping smoking will decrease the risk. If you’ve noticed change in your vision, or if you haven’t been to the office for a while and think you may be developing cataracts, please contact us to set up an apointment today. <-- Back To Eye Diseases